"I'm very passionate about Sussex. This is a big opportunity"

But for the man who has been coming to the County Ground his whole life, this wasn't just another contract; it was a homecoming fuelled by a deep-rooted passion for Sussex cricket – and the chance to bring some equanimity to his life.

“I’ve got three young daughters, so it was a balance,” Simmonds explains, reflecting on the transition from the high-octane agency world to the County Ground. “Being a good dad is more important. But I have been coming here my whole life, I’m very passionate about cricket and passionate about Sussex - it is a big opportunity, really.”

That part-time start quickly evolved. By February, as the extent of Sussex’s financial problems became known, and following a significant restructure of his backroom team led by chief executive Mark West, Simmonds was officially installed as Marketing Manager. The new structure separated marketing and communications from the ticketing, memberships, and hospitality side of the business, which is overseen by Lisa Hogan, one of the longest-serving employees at the club.