Compcon continues sponsorship at Derbyshire County Cricket Club

Sponsoring young Derbyshire cricketer Sam Conners was a decision that had no one stumped at Compcon, a division of PPS.

The 23-year-old fast bowler is the youngest son of Andy Conners, one of the founders and directors of Compcon, now retired.

Based in the East Midlands, Compcon was acquired by PPS in 2021. As a result, PPS has continued Compcon’s long-standing sponsorship of Sam Conners at Derbyshire County Cricket Club.

An early starter

Nottingham-born Sam first got into the game as an Under 9. He graduated from the Cricket Derbyshire Academy and played for the England Under-19s before signing with Derbyshire.

His original two-year deal was extended last summer to keep him at the Incora County Ground until the end of the 2023 season.

Fast bowler

As a fast bowler, he has claimed an impressive 45 wickets at 26 all formats matches through the 2021 season, including a maiden first-class five-wickets against Durham.

An injury led to two months out and missing last year’s Vitality Blast and Royal London Cup, but he was able to return to fitness in time for the final matches of the season, including a trip to Lord’s at the end of the summer.

Intense training schedule

With new Head of Cricket Mickey Arthur now in place, the team has undergone an intense training schedule over the pre-season months. Arthur, a former cricketer and coach of the Pakistan and Sri Lanka national teams, is supported by the Club’s Assistant Coach (Bowling Lead) Ajmal Shahzad, a former fast bowler at five county cricket clubs.

The daily training sessions at The Incora County Ground and Loughborough University has included intensive fitness work for the team, along with time in the nets and fielding practice.

The importance of getting to match intensity as quickly as possible has been recognised by Sam and his teammates, and they were keen to get back on to the pitch this year.

Considered to have an excellent future ahead of him as an opening bowler, Sam recently achieved his 50th all formats wicket for Derbyshire.

The team at PPS and Compcon wishes Sam and the Derbyshire team every success in the current season.