BBC SPORT | COUNTIES | Surrey's red ambition

By BBC Sport Online's Sean Martin

Surrey's capture of England batsman Mark Ramprakash has illustrated their ambition to become the number one county side.

The signing of Ramprakash, who was released from his Middlesex contract, brings to 11 the number of current or former England internationals at The Oval.

In addition, Ian Ward has been in sparkling form for England 'A' and their overseas player is Pakistani off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq.

Perhaps it is no surprise then that chief executive Paul Sheldon claims that they want to be the Manchester United of county cricket.

Yet while the Old Trafford club is financially the biggest in the world, Surrey has some way to go to match their affluence.

Ramprakash has been lured to Surrey
While their turnover of approximately �6.5m a year would struggle to buy a useful foreign footballing import, they are among the top earners in county cricket.

Their annual profit of around �250,000 is well in excess of Gloucestershire's, who despite their one-day success in recent times made a loss of �38,700.

International boost

And Nottinghamshire, who also boast Test match status, turned in a measly �27,000 profit on the back of a �3.75m turnover.

Surrey's Test match ground status is valuable to the county says Nick Cook, the county champion's business development manager.

"Putting on international cricket helps a great deal," he said.

But any comparisons with Manchester United were wide of the mark he said.

"We've a long way to go match Manchester United and we've got to start with the team."

We've a long way to go match Manchester United and we've got to start with the team

Nick Cook
Surrey business development manager

The strength in the squad was planned as the physically demanding nature of the season would give the county the opportunity to rest certain players at key times.

"We want to win things and having a good squad will enable us to do that," Cook said.

"We've been very successful in the last few years and we want to win all the competitions we can."

In addition to building playing strength even further, Surrey are looking to improve The Oval.

While the proposals are yet to get planning permission from Lambeth council, if approved they will radically transform the ground.

Following in the footsteps

The first phase, which is estimated to cost �12m, would include redevelopment of the Locke and Laker Stand but work would not start until 2003.

"We would fit the majority of the work around the games so as not to upset the season."

The second phase of the redevelopment is aimed at further increasing the revenue the county can generate.

The plan is to upgrade the Vauxhall End to lift the capacity of the ground to 25,000 and prevent fans being turned away.

"What we don't want is what we had against Australia and on key days when we had to turn people away."

But if they follow the example of Manchester United they could have fans queueing up to follow them.


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