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Cricket with Class
One of the UK’s leading suppliers of cricket equipment is based at Mansfield Woodhouse. Its range includes the world-famous Charlie French custom-built cricket bats, described by Wisden, cricket’s bible, as ’The Ricky Ponting of bats – just pure class’.
CF Sports was actually formed by Charlie French, the craftsman behind the bats. One of five Nottinghamshire cricketing brothers (and one sister), Charlie worked as a mine safety officer. At the time of the mining closures, he took redundancy and decided that his new career should be involved with his first love – cricket. Charlie skippered Bassetlaw league side Welbeck Colliery for many years and it was during this time that he discovered there was a demand for competitively-priced, high quality custom-built cricket bats and set out to meet the demand.
Firstly he developed his skills working for a bat maker in Huntingdon. He then returned to Nottingham to set up his own business and his reputation began to flourish.
Two years ago he was joined in the business by his brother Neil, an accountant who had worked in the automotive industry specialising in enterprise solutions. Neil brought a new dimension to the business with the addition of clothing ranges and, in particular, the Proskins high performance base layer (designed to control body temperature and the build-up of lactic acid). “We spotted Proskins in America and were ahead of the curve in bringing the range to the UK,” said Neil.
The major thrust for today’s business is the online shop at www.cfsports.co.uk which offers a comprehensive range of cricket equipment, including the award-winning Charlie French bats and the Proskins range, plus clothing footwear, coaching equipment and more. The business also operates two franchises under the Cricket First banner in Houghton-Le-Spring, Tyne and Wear and Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire.
Neil French has been working with LEO Business Adviser Kate Warsop. CF received help from Mansfield District Council when the business first started, but they then pointed them towards LEO and Kate. “We’ve been working with her for two years now,” said Neil. “She’s been great for lots of things, from sorting out where we can get finance grants to simply acting as a sounding board for new ideas and she always has the right contacts when we need them.
“We’re currently looking at some new product developments and we are delighted that Kate is again working alongside us.”
Alliance for Enterprise
Ada Lovelace House, Urban Road, Kirkby-in-Ashfield Nottingham NG17 8BY
Tel: 01623 457158 Fax: 01623 457170
