A big question mark hangs over the future of Southend's Southchurch Park as a venue to stage first-class cricket.

The threat to the traditional week of county cricket in Southend was revealed by Essex chairman David Acfield as his team prepare to embark upon a new season.

"I have to admit to being very concerned about the future of staging marches at Southchurch and at other festival grounds at Ilford and Colchester," he said.

"We are desperate to stage top cricket throughout the county, but the stage has been reached when we have to ask ourselves whether it is a viable proposition."

He cited the difficulties in attracting sponsorship and explained that the situation is not helped by the fact that the festivals are now spread over five days instead of seven.

"On top of that, the cost of setting up these grounds has risen enormously," added Acfield.

"As far as Southchurch Park is concerned, we have already budgeted for a loss this season.

"That's how serious things have become and obviously some tough decisions might have to be taken in the future."

It would be tragic if Southchurch Park, which will host Essex's game against Glamorgan from August 30 to September 3, was to be bowled out.

The Southend ground is a treasure chest of cricketing deeds, having staged the game when Sir Donald Bradman and his great Australian side amassed 721 in a day back in 1948.

But memories and nostalgia do not balance the books and Acfield's concern is understandable following last month's revelation that profits for the year plummeted from just over £126,000 to a shade under £3,000.

The Essex supremo also revealed the county will start interviewing next month for a new chief executive to succeed the late Peter Edwards, who died from a heart attack in South Africa.

"We have received around 40 applications so far, but there is still time for people to apply because the closing date is not until April 28," he said.

"After that, a short-list will be drawn up and interviews will start. We have been impressed by the calibre of many of those applying and making a final choice will prove no easy task."

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.