Somerset Bridge are committed to promoting “cricket, food and fun” in an effort to regenerate the cash-strapped First Division side and recreate a family atmosphere at White Hill Field.

Important steps have already been taken this season, according to Paul Ross, the assistant coach and committee member, in restoring Bridge as a force to be reckoned with and White Hill Field as a venue to be proud of.

Generous donations from sponsors such as Security Associates have certainly helped set those wheels in motion, with Ross optimistic that success on the pitch will help nourish a positive environment off it.

“We’ve noticed more families coming to our games this season, with more children coming along and playing with tennis balls,” Ross said. “We just want to try and keep all that going.

“We are really trying to promote cricket, food and fun this season and so far it does seem to be working.”

In recent years Bridge, like the majority of the Island’s sports clubs, have noticed a considerable reduction in the number of families attending matches, both cricket and football, with many deterred by the rise in antisocial behaviour and the perceived drop in the standard of play.

That Bridge still have no clubhouse has hardly helped their cause, with the space where their previous facility used to stand remaining bare since its demolition in October 2008.

First and foremost, however, Bridge are focusing on trying to improve the ambience at White Hil Field to create a more family-friendly venue.

Securing a food licence this season, with a caterer serving up an array of fast-food dishes for spectators, appears to have been a move in the right direction, with Ross adamant that the community’s young families are beginning to return.

“The family atmosphere definitely diminished [in recent years],” Ross said. “I think [Government] knocked down the old clubhouse because of all the negative behaviour that was going on.

“That’s something we’ve really been trying to address. We’re really trying to promote a positive behaviour at the club.”

Ross also hopes that many of the youngsters re-enacting their own tennis ball cricket matches on the sidelines at present will be inspired by the encouraging performances by Alfred Carter’s side this season.

“We’re trying to say, ‘Look, [White Hill Field] is a safe place to bring your children,” he said. “We can feed them, look after them, so come on down and enjoy some cricket.

“As I like to say ‘success nourishes hope’ and we have won a few games this season, which is helping create a good atmosphere.

“We’re trying to lay down some foundations for the future and an important part of that is establishing an under-11 side for next season.

“We need to start filling in the gaps in our programme and, hopefully, those kids can then make the transition to the under-15 level and then the senior level. We certainly need to be more proactive in that department.”

Ross admits that there is plenty of work to both on and off the pitch for Bridge to evolve into the strong community club that they aspire to become.

But he stressed that without the support of their sponsors and the selfless hours donated by the club’s volunteers, including coaches and groundsmen, that vision would have no chance of becoming a reality.

“We still have a long way to go and we are just focusing on making small steps at the moment,” Ross said. “We’re just trying to keep our sponsors happy and the field is in tip-top condition. There are still many things we need in terms of kit and another cover for the wicket.

“We also need a proper players’ tent or pavilion and another covered area for spectators. Those are the types of things we need funds for.”

Progression seems to the keyword for Ross when it comes to Bridge’s future.

On the pitch, Carter’s side appear to be showing signs of just that, winning three out of their four matches this season, while Ross and the rest of the club’s committee seem equally determined to keep to their side of the bargain off it.