The AGM – Brewhouse 26 January 2010 

Thatchers cider, plusher seats and a warmer venue for the Annual General Meeting at the Brewhouse. A big stage with 6 on it – Richard Gould, Andy Nash, Brian Rose, Andy Hurry, David Gabbitas, and Alex Tetley (Rory’s replacement). 

The official stuff is first – approval of the minutes etc. Chairman’s Report – Andy Nash(with slide show – showing Gilchrist leaving the field at Hydrabad) 

·         Dramatic turnaround from our 2006 season. 

·         Third in the championship and pushing for the second year running is a huge difference.

·         Much improved one day perfromances in all formats with the white ball

·         Craig and Peter are in the Lions squad for the Middle East

·         Women’s World Cup – well done to Mr Gould and his staff

·         Opening of the Somerset Stand – on time and on budget – every time a flat is sold we get 1% of the income (for the next 125 years).  The two retail units are in contract – one is going to be a deli and the other is a retail outlet

·         Opening of the Caddick Pavilion – again on time and on budget

·         New conference and Banqueting pavilion (the new CA) 

Objectives

·         Compete in all forms of the game

·         Develop our own players

·         Increase the club’s financial strength

·         Improve player,  member and spectator facilities 

It was a very good season – almost a great season but no silverware meant we fell short and hope to do better in 2010.  Mentioned in dispatches as prospects; Shrubsole, Trego, Kieswetter, Buttler, Waller, Burke, Dibble all of whom have been picked up by the International representative teams. 

Our record gate last season was 8300 against Gloucestershire.  This season we can host 10,000.  Our financial strength has improved – we aren’t going to be the biggest but we hope to be the best in financial management.  There will be radio based commentary on the ground this season (new to me I have to admit) – hmmmm.  The CA will be late opening because our first builder went to the wall and the cold weather didn’t help.  It will open mid May. 

The Outlook

·         Free to air Ashes would mean 18 counties will not survive (ECB will lose 60% of TV income)

·         The domestic structure is congested even though we’ve lost a competition

·         Somerset feel they can survive the economic downturn

·         Test cricket is struggling outside of England

·         The end of the ‘kolpaks’ 

BUT…

·         Young players in the England setup

·         Pollard, Compton, White and Kartik

·         We are solid in term of financial stability 

The benefit will go to the Children’s Hospice South West and we aim for at least £50,000 for it (generous applause for that). We’ve made progress in a changing cricket environment and we are confident on further progress. 

Warm thanks to the club officers and volunteers. The annual report was proposed and seconded and passed. 

Alex Tetley - TreasurerHeadlines

·         Turnover up 10%

·         Match receipts hitting half a million for the first time has to be good in the situation the world finds itself in. 

·         Last year’s figures were unusual and could not be repeated but we are in a break even position.

·         Costs have risen but rather less than turnover

·         We have a good asset base in cricket and we continue to generate income through those which is how it should be.

·         The CA will require us to take on debt to get it finished.  This has been assessed and is a sound decision but it is something we have to manage.

·         We are benefitting from good decisions made earlier and investing the money in the most sensible way possible for our business. The CA Pavilion will take 5 to 6 years to pay that debt back (cost is £1.45 million).  The rate of interest has been fixed at the current rates.  The bank is very supportive and the resources and funding are in place for the playing activities for the season. 

Q and A

How much did we get for our IPL involvement?

We got half a million dollars for being there.  Another 200,000 for getting to the second part.  All that money has come in now. A considerable amount was shared with between the players. 

Alex was elected as Honorary Treasurer for the next year. Dixon Walsh were proposed as auditors and passed. 

The election of the committee then went on.  Results were read.  (Sorry it went really fast and I’m sure they will report them on the website) 

Nice words for Martin Powell who is standing down in Bath and nice words about Colin Dicken who died in the winter (the reason for the black armbands in the second part of the CL). 

A vote was then made to give the committee to right to decide the financial year end. Election of the Honorary Club President (Roy Kerslake current holder) went through and Roy was re-elected.  A statement was read from him (he’s in Perth) – very positive. 

That’s the formal business done. 

Presentation – Brian Rose and Richard Gould

Brian first 

SQUAD 2010 – main player squad of 22 with the addition of Pollard and White for the T20  Tribute to Justin Langer and Andy Caddick for their contribution This was a disappointing season because we didn’t win something. 

Warm words for Andy Hurry and the players.  Stronger side each year and some very good quality players are coming through the younger levels. We have to hit peaks – not second third or fourth.  We have to hit peaks at the right time to win something.  We played some outstanding cricket with poor performances when it mattered. 

We were the best side in the 50 over game and had a poor quarter final. We’ve been working this winter with 8 or 12 players at any one time (lots overseas). 

Everyone has to be responsible for everything and measure themselves against their achievements.  Trust our leadership and we’ll look to win trophies. We can’t stand still with our squad and we expect to increase the quality and competition of the squad all the time.  We are starting to see some real quality in our younger sides.  There are 15 to 17 year olds who may be first team players in the next two years.  Enormous contributions of some of our Kolpaks (Alfonso got some good press), Kartik is a quality player.  Cam White is tremendous but it depends on Cricket Australia how many games he’ll play.  Pollard will hit the ball down Taunton High Street! 

The change in structure makes no difference to the amount of cricket but it does affect where they are played.   

Our development of young players includes the whole of the South West and we are getting there with Waller, Jones and our Devonians.

Then Richard

The mission? 

To win trophies and compete consistently in all formats of domestic cricket in order to promote Somerset and England throughout the cricketing world. This has moved on (we hoped to be in the top 50% a couple of years ago).  Every session of Somerset cricket mattered in 2009 – we were the only club where that was the case. 

The vision?

We want to enjoy international recognitionTo be acknowledged nationally for providing an intimate, welcoming and supportive environment for staff visitors supporters and membersTo be in the economic vanguard of the Taunton devlopment 

Our Values?

Pride in our club and our heritage

One winning team with a strong team ethic

Responsibility – our representatives are role models applying the highest standards

Promotion of the Spirit of Cricket in the manner in which we play and work 

Objectives?

Compete everywhere

Provide the best possible platform to develop talent

To see a Somerset player make his full England debut in 2010

Complete current projects to improve facilities

Maximise attendances in the new T20 competition

Deliver on commercial opportunities that the ground redevelopment has provided 

Exmoor will be back on tap next season guys and gals! 

3 Year Objectives

Somerset to be in top 6 performing clubs

Produce 2+ players for England with a pipeline of 8+ in the age group levels

Somerset as the biggest sports brand in the South West

Pathway to Category B status for the ground

Major contribution to the formulation of ECB strategy

Provide commercial environment to allow the club to flourish irrespective of ECB revenue 

Q and A

The wicket in Championships?

It’s an issue across global cricket.  It’s partly the problem of the definition of a ‘good wicket’.  We’ve been working on the wicket since September to get ‘more in it’. Gouldy passes this to Rosey….Rosey tries to pass it to Marksy.  Vic contributes – we do not have a good championship wicket but we do have some good selections for next year.   

Depth of cover for Craig?

Jos Buttler has been keeping at U19 in the England setup – he’s played three games for England and when he comes back in February.  We’ll also keep an eye on the inter-county loan system should there be injuries to both men. 

Why isn’t there a 50 over competition with international cricket having one?

Commercially our crowds at 40 overs are twice that of 50 overs.  The ICC is reviewing its one day format.  Brian doesn’t reckon that it matters.  England haven’t exactly been good at any of it and he likes the shorter one and he thinks the ICC will change their view. 

Who is involved in team selection?

First criteria – you have to be good enough.  We are now seeing second team players (look out for Lewis Gregory and Alex Barrow  named in dispatches – 16 year olds). 

How are Durham so successful?

Their cricket budget is far higher than ours so they have larger quality in depth because they can afford to pay them not to play.  We want that depth but it costs.  It is critical therefore that we can get our guys through – Haggett, Burke, Stiff, Turner 

The Spirit of Cricket – do we have a policy of walking?

Sarge – Would you rather play Ireland or France in the World Cup?   We have no policy.  When you are talking to professional cricketers – that is a different situation to playing amateur cricket and it does offend the morals of some.  These things happen. Most professionals are honest but they have an umpire to refer to make decisions 

Are we going to try and get back the fine imposed on Craig for not being ‘English’? 

Yes – Arul Suppiah is also fined which is ludicrous since we’ve had him since he was 11! 

Are we still looking for a replacement for Kartik in the early season? 

Yes we are but we need quality and if we can’t find him then we’ll look for the younger players to grab the opportunity and make it theirs!! 

What do we need for Category B status?

We need 15,000 seats first and foremost there are other media facilities etc.  We are just aspiring and will keep it in mind. 

The meeting ended at 9:00

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