Somerset
Back from the land of dreams - AGM Reality
Master of Ceremonies
By Grockle
January 25 2011
It's full AGM time. Vic, Marcus, Andy Hurry, David Gabbitas, Alex Tetley, Brian Rose, Richard Gould and Andy Nash. Big guns on the front table tonight. Present also are about 3 to 400 people in the Pavilion. So off we go with a message from Roy K - in Perth tonight.
The Main Meeting
Starts with a message from Roy Kerslake. He's looking forward to the new season it seems. Andy Nash is the Master of Ceremonies with his own special lectern. The minutes are approved as usual as was the report with a request that the Q and A for that is left to the end of the meeting.
The Nash Report
SCCC has been here for 137 years this years. Last year we were described as the best cricket club in England and we ought to be proud of that. Then the moving picture show of the season to the soundtrack of "What have you done today to make you feel proud" - and there were some excellent images within it as well from all aspects of the club from backroom staff to major incidents on the field - good and bad.
Andy then identifies the highlights; Craig's MoM in the World Cup final, our 8 England players on our staff (including Karen Atkins). Special mention to Callum Haggett for his recovery - he was in the audience. James Hildreth as captain of the England Lions and Lewis Gregory as captain of the U19's in Sri Lanka. We also have the best captain in England - Marcus Trescothick. Do we have the best county ground in England? We have more income from our Long Room membership than Leicesetshire and Derbyshire have from their whole membership this year. Sold out with a waiting list of 40. The Walk of Fame is an excellent addition. £32000 raise for the hospice with special mention of Eric Cole for his work in that cause. No beneficiary this year but we will be raising funds for the NSPCC. The Royal Marine link is very important to the club.
Looking forward to 2011.
- Perform in all formats
- Develop our young players
- Increase our financial strength
- Improve our facilities
Performance - well we all know where we came in the main competitions but the Academy did exceptionally well also. We have 8 Academy players contracted. It was rated the best in England by the ECB last year the Board also do an excellent job in coaching and spotting new talent.
Our turnover is up to almost £5m and we were one of only a handful of first class counties to declare a profit. The Pavilion turned over more than £100K in December. We are the third highest investor in our cricketing staff in the country. We have strong membership figures for the 2011 season with the discounted period coming to an end. We took match receipts over £1m with the gate receipts last season from non members.
The ground is safer with a much higher capacity. Our player facilities have enticed new players to sign here in part. The Ondaatje Stand will start tomorrow with the demolition firms coming in at 8:30 tomorrow.
There is intense competition for places in the squad now. We will see our first T20 game at Bath (July 3). The Bath Rec has a capacity of up to 15000. The season schedule is better than last year and we expect it to be better again in 2012. The hotel may happen but only when the time is right. If we can achieve it then "...we will achieve international cricket at Taunton" because the quality of the place will be difficult to ignore by the ECB. The Indians will be here in July as well for three days.
Problems come from the economic climate. Taunton incomes will be squeezed by the cuts. County clubs are in shakey ground - Leicestershire are officially insolvent a the moment. Test cricket is struggling for attendances though we have been succesful in revenue raising in the T20.
2010 was the best year we ever had and we hope for more is the message Mr Nash leaves us with.
The adoption of the Annual report is then proposed and seconded and carried.
The Treasurers Report (Alex Tetley)
If you want a set of full accounts you can contact the club and they wil be sent out to you by e-mail or mail. The version on Page 94 of your Almanac is just the headline figures.
A good financial year given that the CA was out of action for a significant period. Trading performance was good and on budget because of the team performances on the pitch.
- Match receipts and membership is up 20% at £1.215m. A profit of £75K was declared this will be invested towards playing staff.
- We now have a debt on the balance sheet to fund re-development of the CA Pavilion.
- The new aim is to build a cash 'buffer' to avoid 'financial pinch points' in the close season.
- Comparisons with others
- 2009 £3.7m income £1.7 Player costs and we were compared with Lancs. We made a profit (£6K only) Lancs made a £605K loss.
- Conditions remain challenging and the bank expects a measure of profit. The CA Pavilion will take 5 to 6 years to payback.
- However, we've serviced our debt. We made a good profit and expect to do the same this year. The CA delay did not cause too many problems and will serve us better in 2011.
Adoption of the accounts was duly voted through.
One point that came up in the financial discussion was the we own the freehold of our ground which is holding some counties back in terms of investment.
Is membership up or down? Too early to tell but we at least expect parity given present figures.
Nomination of the Honorary Treasurer - Alex was nominated, seconded and returned
The auditors Dickson Walsh were re-appointed.
The area committee members to the main committee were discussed and Mike Slade (who has stepped down this year) was thanked for his service over the years and a small presentation was made to him.
Thats the official stuff done.
Richard Gould Presentation - Chief Executive's look forward.
Nothing is off limits here question wide.
Objective 1
- Compete in all formats of cricket and win at least one. No opt outs! We will continue our meritocracy policy. Youngsters will play if they are good enough.
Objective 2
- THREE Somerset players in the senior England squad.
Objective 3
- Complete the Ondaatje Pavilion - thanks to Sir Christopher for his continued support. Hope to have it open for the start of the season.
Objective 4
- Sign up a partner for the Hotel development
Objective 5
- Drive membership and invest it in cricket
Objective 6
- The ground becomes the pre-eminent conference venue in the South West
T20 has gone from 30% of our income in 2008 and is now 67%. The number of games will probably decrease in 2012. We are preparing for this but the ECB has given us some time to plan.
It's an Indian Summer - we are the first longer format game they will play in the summer. Looks like the 'batsmen at work' campaign will be continuing. The Bath match has been mentioned before. We are using the new wicket and the rugby facilities. Apologies for those who wanted all eight in Taunton but we have to spread it a bit.
Brian Rose - Victor Meldrew - the Grumpy Old Git Presentation
"My lifetime ambition has not yet been achieved. Before I retire we will win the CC!"
We have to compete consistently. He believes that he needs to create the atmosphere and environment where that happens at all levels. Rosey shows us the Venn diagram of our cricket management structure of the relationship between him, the coaches and the captains at all levels. Saqlain Mushtaq is on the list along with Cook, Ellison and Jason Kerr. Glowing comments about the 'cricket intelligence' Saqlain beings to the coaching of the spinners.
New faces - Kirby celebrating Trescothick's dismissal. Steve is here for that heart. We will only win if we knock sides over twice. Hussain is here to do that. Comment on Kartik's 2010 performance.
He also discusses the youngsters - Barrow, Dockrell, Dibble, Meschede, Gregory, Haggett and how they are coming through with heart and intelligence. Alex has just had a shoulder operation (why he wasn't playing in the Windies).
Hildreth is experiencing the international demands and we expect him to play in 2011.
Q and A
Shading over the Long Room? None planned
Alf and MK out will we sign? We are looking for another bowler - but we need a top quality performer. We will not block progress with an inferior player.
Report of the Windies Tour? 90% pluses. We took 4 or 5 people who had never set foot on a pitch and we were slightly unllucky not to get to the finals. We tested young people under pressure on good pitches in good grounds. Meschede hitting straight sixes. Waller and Dockrell as spin twins? Bit of inexperience. Potential captains and vice captains were also being looked at.
Andy Hurry - excellent from a winter training cycle basis - fantastic opportunity. Everyone enjoyed the experience and we now know what we have coming through.
There was a very positive compliment about our player's behaviour in the Windies from a supporter who was there.
Bowling sides out twice. Is he satisfied that we will have 'results' pitches. Marcus we are very aware of the situation but we are moving in the right direction. Scores were down in the first innings in 2010 but there is still some way to go.
Million pounds for plonking the ball over the pavilion with the humongous bat? We only play at Lord's if we make the T20 Final on the last day of the season but there is a chance.
Is there a chance for supporters to have a say on the format of the Hotel? There are plans to do that but it is early days for this. Somerset is founded on its members and there will be room for consultation. Usually it is done through the main committee but there will be a lot more consultation when we know something more. The OP will remain until we can provide something better.
A statement of thanks for SCCC on behalf of the Kings cricket festival and the invite of the players in that to the ground for T20 games by the club.
What happened to ZdB? Rosey sees that as a good question. His role was a real contrast to other players in the team and it was an exceptional role. But cricket has altered in its format. One of the biggest pressures is financial on the counties. Clubs are getting more for getting 9 qualified England players on the field. The pressure is relenting and it gets more difficult. BR looked at what we had and what was available and the equation was becoming difficult. Asking ZdB what he wanted to do for their own career and his family? We took a decision that the talent would soon make its mark. We loved him and his family and he moved on with our best wishes. We have an exciting team and we were willing to take the risk.
Is there any chance of getting Trott to play for us? Marcus - err NO. Bizzare!!
That;s yer lot ladies and gents...comments welcomed below.
Digg
Delicious
Facebook
Reddit
StumbleuponBack from the land of dreams - AGM Reality
Discussion started by Grockles.com , 25/01/2011 19:36
Grockles.com
25/01/2011 19:36
25/01/2011 19:36
What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:02:15:20:56:07 by Grockle.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:02:15:20:56:07 by Grockle.
All in all a very positive meeting/presentation.
We are indeed fortunate to be in good financial health in comparison to other counties.
My impression was that BR has decided to take a risk with the younger players early season to see how they perform, and not try and bring in a big name for the first few games.
We are indeed fortunate to be in good financial health in comparison to other counties.
My impression was that BR has decided to take a risk with the younger players early season to see how they perform, and not try and bring in a big name for the first few games.
Mr Rose cleared up one puzzlement I had about Zander de Bruyn, Brian Rose said he signed a two year contract with Surrey that seems more believable, since I returned home I checked about ten different web sites and they all say one year, the Surrey web site do not say how long.
A very good meeting and time for more question from the floor.
A very good meeting and time for more question from the floor.
The Trigger question was cleared up later. Stomach bug. Will he bowl more? Maybe but he'd better make the most of it when he does because Craig Meschede does bowl and he may have more pace than Pete.
It's the last chance to talk about 2010 with the management and the first time in the year to talk to them about 2011.
Is there anyone not going to be there who wants to know/ask anything?
Is there anyone not going to be there who wants to know/ask anything?
I plan to be there. My main concern is not related to SCCC performance particularly. Much more concern about how widespread or influencial are the views of Mark Nicholas, Atherton, Willis, etc that our first class game should consist of 12 teams brought about by mergers, BUT not involving ANY test venues?
old boy!
old boy!
Will they tell us anything about whether or not Pete has an injury? Although he was brought back into the team for the final T20 game, I don't think he bowled at all? So that's 2 games out of four missed and then did not bowl in the final one.
The other, obvious, question would be whether Brian has any updated thoughts on whether or not we are likely to pursue an overseas option.... when last this question was posed we did not know the results of the IPL auction... we do know the results now.
The other, obvious, question would be whether Brian has any updated thoughts on whether or not we are likely to pursue an overseas option.... when last this question was posed we did not know the results of the IPL auction... we do know the results now.
Did you expect Trigger to bowl?
He didn't in the first game either. Personally expected all the newbies to have their overs plus Alf as attack leader and Trigs only to be used if things went pear shaped (which they didn't except against Jamaica)
There's three months now to get Mr Trego ready to go but I'll bring it up if someone else doesn't
He didn't in the first game either. Personally expected all the newbies to have their overs plus Alf as attack leader and Trigs only to be used if things went pear shaped (which they didn't except against Jamaica)
There's three months now to get Mr Trego ready to go but I'll bring it up if someone else doesn't
Grockle - would you mind asking how membership is going?
There was a positive story immediately after the New Year and now we're only a week away from the discount deadline.
Membership is a crucial part of our overall revenue and a barometer of what level of support we can expect in 2011.
There was a positive story immediately after the New Year and now we're only a week away from the discount deadline.
Membership is a crucial part of our overall revenue and a barometer of what level of support we can expect in 2011.
Would be interested to hear BR responses to the following:
1) Whether Trigger will be given more opportunities to bowl in the Championship this year ?
2) What (if anything !) can be done to ensure we hit the ground running right off the bat this year, so we are not in catch up mode, as has so often been the case in the past. Arguably last year it cost us the Championship !
3) Squad strength re APL etc..
Grizzzly
1) Whether Trigger will be given more opportunities to bowl in the Championship this year ?
2) What (if anything !) can be done to ensure we hit the ground running right off the bat this year, so we are not in catch up mode, as has so often been the case in the past. Arguably last year it cost us the Championship !
3) Squad strength re APL etc..
Grizzzly
Id be interested in early season overseas thoughts too Grockle.
Just read an article in which Damien Wright claims he was talking to us about joining but we never made a firm offer.
Also whether the possible Mushtaq signing would be in place of an overseas if that what they plan to do.
Thanks
Just read an article in which Damien Wright claims he was talking to us about joining but we never made a firm offer.
Also whether the possible Mushtaq signing would be in place of an overseas if that what they plan to do.
Thanks
That’s a lot of questions chaps Grockle will confirm that at the last AGM so much time was taken up with the flash presentation there wasn’t much time remaining for questions.
B ut they did provide info on most of the things people were asking about so you never know Mike.
Good point Grockle it could be that most points of interest is already answered by the time any questions is reached.
I suppose that there's always a choice...
Flash presentation (flash = professional?), content answers most questions, few questions afterwards (as most points already covered), in the bar sooner...
or
Garbage presentation (not inspiring confidence), few significant questions answered, barrage of questions from the floor to prise out the 'real' answers, bar shut when meeting finishes late although most members given up the will by then anyhow...
Know what I'd prefer.
Flash presentation (flash = professional?), content answers most questions, few questions afterwards (as most points already covered), in the bar sooner...
or
Garbage presentation (not inspiring confidence), few significant questions answered, barrage of questions from the floor to prise out the 'real' answers, bar shut when meeting finishes late although most members given up the will by then anyhow...
Know what I'd prefer.
Interesting AGM. Impressed with what BR had to say. More importantly the official statements from Treasurer etc appears that Leicester are in terminal decline. Also appears that Derby are not much better off. Championship could be down to 16 next year??
old boy!
old boy!
I'd guessed that some sort of stomach bug was the most likely explanation for Pete not even watching with the rest of the non playing players.
I'm surprised - to some extent - that Brian says we're looking for another bowler for the first part of the season.
I wonder if that means that they are leaning towards not playing Saqlain? Sounds like he might be here to stay as a coach, though?
I'm surprised - to some extent - that Brian says we're looking for another bowler for the first part of the season.
I wonder if that means that they are leaning towards not playing Saqlain? Sounds like he might be here to stay as a coach, though?
He was mentioned in that role and elsewhere there is information about a possible announcement in the very near future....of a spinner?
Thanks for the report Grockle.
Pretty positive stuff overall really & you have to give the Management credit for getting us to the relative financial safety which we currently seemingly enjoy.
Re the squad, errm....,when I mentioned a certain S Warne on another thread, I was of course joking.
At least I think I was....................!
Grizzzly
P.S. Had to laugh re "the Bank expects a measure of Profit" comment. Given the recent Banking fiasco's, I wasn't sure if those words came from the Bank directed at SCCC or whether it was the other way around !
Pretty positive stuff overall really & you have to give the Management credit for getting us to the relative financial safety which we currently seemingly enjoy.
Re the squad, errm....,when I mentioned a certain S Warne on another thread, I was of course joking.
At least I think I was....................!
Grizzzly
P.S. Had to laugh re "the Bank expects a measure of Profit" comment. Given the recent Banking fiasco's, I wasn't sure if those words came from the Bank directed at SCCC or whether it was the other way around !
If the post on another thread is to be taken at face value and we are signing a spinner that would 'add another dimension,' to the squad, then I think it might be Ajantha Mendis. He does not appear to be in any of the IPL squad lists this time around. He does seem to have been found out at Test level but the book on him seems to be that he is a mystery bowler who can cause havoc the first and/or second time that a particular batting line-up sees him.
Quote:Bath Bob
I suppose that there's always a choice...
Flash presentation (flash = professional?), content answers most questions, few questions afterwards (as most points already covered), in the bar sooner...
or
Garbage presentation (not inspiring confidence), few significant questions answered, barrage of questions from the floor to prise out the 'real' answers, bar shut when meeting finishes late although most members given up the will by then anyhow...
Know what I'd prefer.
What a totally unnecessary response that is from a person who is, in my opinion, becoming increasingly renowned for them.
However was the club run and managed prior to 2005, Bath Bob?
Thank you once again for the comprehensive report on the meeting, Grockle. I was sorry to read that “Leicestershire are officially insolvent”; there is no reference to that on their official website, but I do not doubt the truth of your reported statement. I personally will be very saddened if any of our First Class counties go out of business, but fear that it could come about.
I hope that all those who attended. enjoyed the meeting and subsequently made their way to the bar afterwards in order to please Bath Bob.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:03:23:19:25:25 by Clarence Parker.
I tend to agree with you, Clarence, that the response from Bath Bob was rather unnecessary. Unnecessarily defensive would be how I would describe it.
Ref Bath Bob
Whats his problem? Bath will be doing OK it appears with a 20/20. The officials were claiming there would be 15K people there - if so the chances are they might get even more in future.
I thought the meeting was very informative - and God help us if we should ever be back to bad old financial days. A quick chat after the meeting confirmed that, as I suspected the NICHOLAS/ATHERTON/WILLIS etc clamour for fewer counties may have been triggered by the apparent East Midlands debacle regarding the running of first class cricket - perhaps one team for that area?
old boy!
Whats his problem? Bath will be doing OK it appears with a 20/20. The officials were claiming there would be 15K people there - if so the chances are they might get even more in future.
I thought the meeting was very informative - and God help us if we should ever be back to bad old financial days. A quick chat after the meeting confirmed that, as I suspected the NICHOLAS/ATHERTON/WILLIS etc clamour for fewer counties may have been triggered by the apparent East Midlands debacle regarding the running of first class cricket - perhaps one team for that area?
old boy!
I agree with the above three post.
Old boy, I also found the AGM very informative and also talking with Grockle and Mr Gould after the meeting finished. I heard several bits of information I did know before, most if not all was covered by Grockle’s report.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:01:26:12:27:05 by Mike BOS.
Old boy, I also found the AGM very informative and also talking with Grockle and Mr Gould after the meeting finished. I heard several bits of information I did know before, most if not all was covered by Grockle’s report.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:01:26:12:27:05 by Mike BOS.
Grockle, thank you for an excellent report on the AGM. Highly informative and comprehensive.
As regards subsequent comments directed my way, some calm is required. The post was merely a comparison of two options (nothing personal whatsoever) with the focus on the bar where I'm sure most people would want to be.
On that basis I'm rather stunned by some of the comments. I object vehemently to the use of 'ignorant', Clarence and expect a retraction. There have been previous posts when you have sailed close to the wind and this is a step too far.
A difference of opinion is one thing. Personal attacks are not.
As regards subsequent comments directed my way, some calm is required. The post was merely a comparison of two options (nothing personal whatsoever) with the focus on the bar where I'm sure most people would want to be.
On that basis I'm rather stunned by some of the comments. I object vehemently to the use of 'ignorant', Clarence and expect a retraction. There have been previous posts when you have sailed close to the wind and this is a step too far.
A difference of opinion is one thing. Personal attacks are not.
It seems the misunderstanding is around the word 'flash'. I personally took it to mean a presentation produced using Flashplayer - but then I'm a geek.
I think others read it as 'impressive' and yet more as 'done by a spiv' or something of that ilk.
Hence the defensive nature of the reply perhaps? I don't think it was meant that way but text is so difficult to interpret.
I can be as aggressive as the next person here but I do think a number of parties in this case have a point.
Can we therefore just accept that this was a misunderstanding from which there was probably more than one over-reaction and leave it at that.
When things start to get personal the argument/debate is over any way.
I think others read it as 'impressive' and yet more as 'done by a spiv' or something of that ilk.
Hence the defensive nature of the reply perhaps? I don't think it was meant that way but text is so difficult to interpret.
I can be as aggressive as the next person here but I do think a number of parties in this case have a point.
Can we therefore just accept that this was a misunderstanding from which there was probably more than one over-reaction and leave it at that.
When things start to get personal the argument/debate is over any way.
Well, BathBob, I remember very well your recent personal attack on Craig Kieswetter for instance, on this messageboard.
That was, in my opinion, more than simply lacking in good manners. You, though, may have a different opinion.
That was, in my opinion, more than simply lacking in good manners. You, though, may have a different opinion.
Thanks for diffusing the situation. Much appreciated.
Can I suggest that if you want to continue this you do it via the PM system rather than discuss each others failings here please?
The Kieswetter issue was dealt with on the Kieswetter thread which is still about I think if you want to go back to it.
This thread is for AGM reaction
Can I suggest that if you want to continue this you do it via the PM system rather than discuss each others failings here please?
The Kieswetter issue was dealt with on the Kieswetter thread which is still about I think if you want to go back to it.
This thread is for AGM reaction
Grockle, you are extremely fair and balanced in your views which is much appreciated.
By all means let's debate and indeed differ, Clarence. But not 'ignorant'.
Would you like to take a little step backwards and retract that or would you prefer that those of differing views to you simply withdraw from the debate?
By all means let's debate and indeed differ, Clarence. But not 'ignorant'.
Would you like to take a little step backwards and retract that or would you prefer that those of differing views to you simply withdraw from the debate?
Thanks to all. We all agree - a well run meeting and club.
Just think how we would be feeling if our loyalties were further up the M5 or A38!
old boy!
Just think how we would be feeling if our loyalties were further up the M5 or A38!
old boy!
I cannot imagine how bad I would feel if I was a Gloucs supporter at the moment. Their situation is, on paper at least, so bad that I actually feel sorry for them.
On paper, they might be about to have one of the worst seasons that any first class County has ever had.
On paper, they might be about to have one of the worst seasons that any first class County has ever had.
We were talking about Bristol last night AG. Can anyone here suggest what their first game eleven might be? We were struggling after three players.
Leicestershire? Derbyshire? Gloucestershire? Northamptonshire? Are Worcestershire in this kind of 'boat' as well?
It looks very scary for the Midlanders all in all. i assume Warwickshire can always fall back on their Test stadium status to keep the wolves away though the developments at Edgbaston can't possibly be being paid for on the basis of gate receipts from the county's performances of late.
It was made clear a number of times last night that our situation is greatly bolstered by the performances on the pitch and the winning feel of the place.
We also seem to be very clear that we will do things when we have the money and can pay the debts...not on the hope that someone will bail us out if we can't pay.
The OP is a case in point. There were a number of promises from central government and central sports bodies about helping develop that site....they all seem to have disappeared in smoke once it was announced that we had got the 2012 Olympics. We had not based our plans on those promises and instead of having a white elephant we couldn't pay for we used what had been raised to improve player facilities with the Caddyshack and redo the Long Room. We still have a debt but it isn't going to cripple us for decades!!
Leicestershire? Derbyshire? Gloucestershire? Northamptonshire? Are Worcestershire in this kind of 'boat' as well?
It looks very scary for the Midlanders all in all. i assume Warwickshire can always fall back on their Test stadium status to keep the wolves away though the developments at Edgbaston can't possibly be being paid for on the basis of gate receipts from the county's performances of late.
It was made clear a number of times last night that our situation is greatly bolstered by the performances on the pitch and the winning feel of the place.
We also seem to be very clear that we will do things when we have the money and can pay the debts...not on the hope that someone will bail us out if we can't pay.
The OP is a case in point. There were a number of promises from central government and central sports bodies about helping develop that site....they all seem to have disappeared in smoke once it was announced that we had got the 2012 Olympics. We had not based our plans on those promises and instead of having a white elephant we couldn't pay for we used what had been raised to improve player facilities with the Caddyshack and redo the Long Room. We still have a debt but it isn't going to cripple us for decades!!
I think Worcestershire are fine, Grockle. At least I assume they are because they have made various overseas signings in the past few weeks. They have Shakib, Damien Wright and Saeed Ajmal all on their books for various parts of the 2011 season.
I'm afraid I do not have a clue who will be lining up for Gloucestershire next season. One can only hope, for their sake, that some of the youngsters that will inevitably have to be tried will do a good job. I imagine, they may end up having to hire some younger players from minor counties cricket to get by?
Leicestershire may, reportedly, be in a dire financial state off the field, but I think their actual playing XI is likely to be fairly similar to last year?
I think Derbyshire are okay? I thought they'd said, recently, that they'd turned small profits in the past few years, as opposed to a number of Test match counties that had posted huge losses?
I think the overall picture of Division Two cricket is a deeply worrying one, though.
I have a really nasty feeling that the advent of Brian Rose as Director of Cricket might be a moment that we come to look back on in only 3 or 4 years time as the decisive moment that secured our future as a first class county...
i.e. that other Counties who, arguably, have continued to the fairly amateurish path that we were following pre-Brian will not survive.
I'm afraid I do not have a clue who will be lining up for Gloucestershire next season. One can only hope, for their sake, that some of the youngsters that will inevitably have to be tried will do a good job. I imagine, they may end up having to hire some younger players from minor counties cricket to get by?
Leicestershire may, reportedly, be in a dire financial state off the field, but I think their actual playing XI is likely to be fairly similar to last year?
I think Derbyshire are okay? I thought they'd said, recently, that they'd turned small profits in the past few years, as opposed to a number of Test match counties that had posted huge losses?
I think the overall picture of Division Two cricket is a deeply worrying one, though.
I have a really nasty feeling that the advent of Brian Rose as Director of Cricket might be a moment that we come to look back on in only 3 or 4 years time as the decisive moment that secured our future as a first class county...
i.e. that other Counties who, arguably, have continued to the fairly amateurish path that we were following pre-Brian will not survive.
Worcestershire have done well with their overseas signings, for coach Steve Rhodes was told when they gained promotion last season that there would be no money for even one overseas player.
I believe the insurance money for the New Road floods two years ago took a long time to come through, so perhaps that has heloped them now. They have also abandoned expensive plans to move to a new ground.
I believe the insurance money for the New Road floods two years ago took a long time to come through, so perhaps that has heloped them now. They have also abandoned expensive plans to move to a new ground.
AGod is quite right. Worcestershire are ok and are managing their money well. Good signings, membership well ahead of expectations, and close to completing the hotel development which will provide substantial funds for the years to come.
Compared to some other counties, Worcestershire are no longer one of the real minnows, either on or off the field. Former player David Leatherdale has made a fantastic start as Chief Executive and his collaboration with Steve Rhodes appears to be working exceptionally well.
Derbyshire made a loss last year which was difficult after, I believe, four years of modest profit. Catering is a potential upside for them with new facilities but t20 'bombed' last year (Derbyshire £70k / Somerset £327k) and membership is showing no growth in revenue. It may even decline slightly in 2011. They have moved t20 away from Chesterfield and hope to drive more revenue via the Derby centre.
Leicestershire recently declared a £404k loss for last year including the lowest membership revenue for any county (£89k / Somerset c.£620k including Long Room membership). A precarious financial position but the bright spots for 2011 are retaining some decent players, a t20 v India on a Bank Holiday and the fact that despite the financial carnage, gate revenue rose by 24% last year.
The darkest clouds appear to hover over our friends up the M5 (or A4 in my case) whose stock has declined rapidly in recent times. There is no cheer on the playing front, ticket and membership revenue is in decline (with IMHO the wrong strategy put forward for 2011), and without the ODI and the BS7 gym membership, a very dim future lies ahead.
Somerset has made great strides and is now some distance from these counties in many respects. So let's enjoy it while it lasts and trust that some of the 'smaller' counties can turn round their situation and maintain their status as viable First Class Counties.
Compared to some other counties, Worcestershire are no longer one of the real minnows, either on or off the field. Former player David Leatherdale has made a fantastic start as Chief Executive and his collaboration with Steve Rhodes appears to be working exceptionally well.
Derbyshire made a loss last year which was difficult after, I believe, four years of modest profit. Catering is a potential upside for them with new facilities but t20 'bombed' last year (Derbyshire £70k / Somerset £327k) and membership is showing no growth in revenue. It may even decline slightly in 2011. They have moved t20 away from Chesterfield and hope to drive more revenue via the Derby centre.
Leicestershire recently declared a £404k loss for last year including the lowest membership revenue for any county (£89k / Somerset c.£620k including Long Room membership). A precarious financial position but the bright spots for 2011 are retaining some decent players, a t20 v India on a Bank Holiday and the fact that despite the financial carnage, gate revenue rose by 24% last year.
The darkest clouds appear to hover over our friends up the M5 (or A4 in my case) whose stock has declined rapidly in recent times. There is no cheer on the playing front, ticket and membership revenue is in decline (with IMHO the wrong strategy put forward for 2011), and without the ODI and the BS7 gym membership, a very dim future lies ahead.
Somerset has made great strides and is now some distance from these counties in many respects. So let's enjoy it while it lasts and trust that some of the 'smaller' counties can turn round their situation and maintain their status as viable First Class Counties.
Whilst I appreciate that Somerset CCC has made great strides in recent years and now has excellent facilities for the watching public and the media, who will be more likely to broadcast our matches and therefore contribute greatly to our revenue, but we need to get more in touch with the working public and play more cricket at weekends, when more spectators are available, traffic is lighter and parking is easier.
Not much of which is within the control of SCCC Both ?
Isn't it the ECB that decide such things (unfortunately) ?
Grizzzly
Isn't it the ECB that decide such things (unfortunately) ?
Grizzzly
I haven't analysed the fixture list yet for this season but Mr Gould was saying there was a lot more weekend cricket this year (though he could have been just talking about the T20).
The fixture list is not something the club controls and our voice about what it should look like wasn't the accepted one when they did get a say.
He did also say that it is expected to get less crowded and more supporter friendly in 2012 but I suppose we'll wait to see whether that is the case.
It probably isn't ever going to be perfectly suited to working people who live a considerable distance from the ground and 'working' tends to cover the whole 7 days nowadays so there is always going to be that tension.
The fixture list is not something the club controls and our voice about what it should look like wasn't the accepted one when they did get a say.
He did also say that it is expected to get less crowded and more supporter friendly in 2012 but I suppose we'll wait to see whether that is the case.
It probably isn't ever going to be perfectly suited to working people who live a considerable distance from the ground and 'working' tends to cover the whole 7 days nowadays so there is always going to be that tension.
I attended the AGM last night and thought it was an extremely professional event which I thoroughly enjoyed. It was highly informative, and I really got the feeling that when we were told that "no questions are off limits", they really meant it.
As for "flash" presentation - of course it was, several of my photographs appeared!
To return to the topics under discussion, the fixture list and finances, these are also topical outside the AGM agenda. Richard Gould has been arguing in the press lately that a cut in the number of T20 fixtures would have a significant financial impact. Three home T20s apparently equates to a quarter of a million for Somerset.
Discussions are continuing at Lord's about the domestic structure from 2012. Gould said last night that it was a good thing that these talks are being held in good time, so there shouldn't be a rushed decision.
Somerset cricket photos and blog: [www.somersetlalala.com]
As for "flash" presentation - of course it was, several of my photographs appeared!
To return to the topics under discussion, the fixture list and finances, these are also topical outside the AGM agenda. Richard Gould has been arguing in the press lately that a cut in the number of T20 fixtures would have a significant financial impact. Three home T20s apparently equates to a quarter of a million for Somerset.
Discussions are continuing at Lord's about the domestic structure from 2012. Gould said last night that it was a good thing that these talks are being held in good time, so there shouldn't be a rushed decision.
Somerset cricket photos and blog: [www.somersetlalala.com]
PU, I thought I recognised one of your photos.
I read that article you refer to and while I understand where he is coming from regarding less income, I began to think about all the clubs that are in financial trouble now, any drop in further income would be a disaster for them.
We have a cushion they do not, if any of the clubs mentioned in trouble now could well mean the end of them.
I read that article you refer to and while I understand where he is coming from regarding less income, I began to think about all the clubs that are in financial trouble now, any drop in further income would be a disaster for them.
We have a cushion they do not, if any of the clubs mentioned in trouble now could well mean the end of them.
Quote:Grockle
I haven't analysed the fixture list yet for this season ...
Nor have I, Grockle, because I am awaiting an SCCC-only fixture list (rather than having to wade through a massive consolidated one). I can't find one on the website, but maybe one of us knows where it is.
If it is not yet ready, then I think the county is missing a trick.
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!
You haven't possibly looked at the top of this page at the section that says...."Fixture List" perhaps?
Tractor does one for you every year. All you have to do is click the mouse.
Tell you what I'll change the year to 2011 - though the reason for bothering escapes me!!
It's got a picture of Marcus walking out from the CA on a beautiful sunny day.
You haven't possibly looked at the top of this page at the section that says...."Fixture List" perhaps?
Tractor does one for you every year. All you have to do is click the mouse.
Tell you what I'll change the year to 2011 - though the reason for bothering escapes me!!
It's got a picture of Marcus walking out from the CA on a beautiful sunny day.
I am an idiot Grockle I knew you would have it somewhere and I went to the front page looking for it.
Sorry about that, Grockle. Naively I assumed if it wasn't on the SCCC site yet, which it doesn't seem to be, it wouldn't be here yet.
Just checked via the 'Tractor' link and there is indeed much more Sunday cricket this year, T20 and Pro 40, so I'm well pleased. I was sure I'd read some sort of fixture list and seen otherwise, but clearly not, so well done to all concerned.
I'd like to think this is some kind of breakthrough but I highly doubt it :=(
The fixtures have been on here since the day after they were announced thanks to the man from Clevedon who does this for me every year.
If you go back to a past year you'll also find that if there was a Grockles report for the game it is linked in so it also becomes our archive site for the past 5 odd years.
God you don't deserve us two I tell you!!
The fixtures have been on here since the day after they were announced thanks to the man from Clevedon who does this for me every year.
If you go back to a past year you'll also find that if there was a Grockles report for the game it is linked in so it also becomes our archive site for the past 5 odd years.
God you don't deserve us two I tell you!!
Grockle ... Might there, perhaps, be some mileage in a permanent sticky thread entitled something like 'Where to find everything here,' with the thread simply containing a list of where to go for commentary, fixtures etc?
Even if you think no regular should need it, it would be useful for newcomers and regulars could go there rather than annoying you by asking the questions..
Even if you think no regular should need it, it would be useful for newcomers and regulars could go there rather than annoying you by asking the questions..
The site is moving, Grockle? Or you are having an reorganisation of where everything sits?
We all know that Taunton creates a good atmosphere due mainly to the overall size of the ground and the size of the crowd we get.
Where any redevelopment we do to increase the seating capacity which will generate more income, and doing the Colin Atkinson is having a very good return for the money spent on it, that information was one of the highlights of the AGM for me.
Will redeveloping Old Trafford bring in much extra income for the club it could end up putting them further financial trouble?
Where any redevelopment we do to increase the seating capacity which will generate more income, and doing the Colin Atkinson is having a very good return for the money spent on it, that information was one of the highlights of the AGM for me.
Will redeveloping Old Trafford bring in much extra income for the club it could end up putting them further financial trouble?
99 times out of 100, in almost any major spectator sport, spending lots of money on improving the ground proves to be a mistake, in my view.
It costs a fortune and often has a negative impact on the budget available for playing resources. And it often changes the atmosphere of the ground concerned. This can help to diminish home advantage if the re-designed/developed ground fails to demonstrate the same atmosphere as of old.
It costs a fortune and often has a negative impact on the budget available for playing resources. And it often changes the atmosphere of the ground concerned. This can help to diminish home advantage if the re-designed/developed ground fails to demonstrate the same atmosphere as of old.
What's missed from this otherwise impressive strategy is an plan for cricket outside Taunton.
One measly t20 game in Bath does not make for the take cricket to the people plan we'd been hoping for .
t20 is ideal to market to old and future fans in Bath, Yeovil, Weston, Exmouth or elsewhere.
Instead, the 'stadium Taunton' strategy, develpoing though it is, fails to extend the reach of the club, and draw in new supporters.
Instead it keeps SCCC in it's own bubble. Preaching to the converted. Bath has huge potential a world heritage city, much bigger than Taunton and more accessible to the North of the county. What a missed opportunity.
One measly t20 game in Bath does not make for the take cricket to the people plan we'd been hoping for .
t20 is ideal to market to old and future fans in Bath, Yeovil, Weston, Exmouth or elsewhere.
Instead, the 'stadium Taunton' strategy, develpoing though it is, fails to extend the reach of the club, and draw in new supporters.
Instead it keeps SCCC in it's own bubble. Preaching to the converted. Bath has huge potential a world heritage city, much bigger than Taunton and more accessible to the North of the county. What a missed opportunity.
There is nowhere viable to play KT. I don't know how many times you are going to bring this up and have the same holes blown in your argument.
Without external support from the venue or the local business/ council network there is NO chance of festival cricket being taken elsewhere.
Rather than complaining constantly that we don't take cricket elsewhere give us the place we could take it where it could be financed by a club with no extra financial support provided from elsewhere?
Either that or give us the example of the county that is managing to extend it's external cricket without support and make it viable.
The Bath T20 is a gamble in its own right and is only happening because they hope for a multi-thousand crowd for it.
Put your post where your complaint is. Or people will think you just complain for the sake of it...is that true I wonder?
Without external support from the venue or the local business/ council network there is NO chance of festival cricket being taken elsewhere.
Rather than complaining constantly that we don't take cricket elsewhere give us the place we could take it where it could be financed by a club with no extra financial support provided from elsewhere?
Either that or give us the example of the county that is managing to extend it's external cricket without support and make it viable.
The Bath T20 is a gamble in its own right and is only happening because they hope for a multi-thousand crowd for it.
Put your post where your complaint is. Or people will think you just complain for the sake of it...is that true I wonder?
I think your reasoning is just illustrative of the umimaginative shortsighted approach being taken by the club.
For years we've heard the 'who will support it?' argument', used as a reason for doing nothing.
Taking cricket to the people would have huge benefits in terms of promoting the game and the club that would pay for themselves in time and also promote the sport more generally.
Isn't that what ECB policy and 'a chance to shine' is meant to be?
I've no doubt Somerset could achieve the sponsorship if they looked for it hard enough.
Somerset have played festival weeks at the rec for generations. Anyone whos been there knows it has huge potential as a venue. But somehow entertaining people isn't good enough now. if it doesn't make money or maybe loses a little it's 'a problem', instead of part of having a community based club.
For years we've heard the 'who will support it?' argument', used as a reason for doing nothing.
Taking cricket to the people would have huge benefits in terms of promoting the game and the club that would pay for themselves in time and also promote the sport more generally.
Isn't that what ECB policy and 'a chance to shine' is meant to be?
I've no doubt Somerset could achieve the sponsorship if they looked for it hard enough.
Somerset have played festival weeks at the rec for generations. Anyone whos been there knows it has huge potential as a venue. But somehow entertaining people isn't good enough now. if it doesn't make money or maybe loses a little it's 'a problem', instead of part of having a community based club.
From where? Maybe we could 'imagine' the money and then unfortunately not imagine going bust!
Where are these sponsors busting to do this? Why hasn't their imagination turned into proposals made to the club that have become solid physical games?
You seem to see this totally as the failing of the club in their role as cricket promoter when it actually illustrates a disinterest in festival cricket as a money maker by sponsors.
Maybe it's the club being realistic in the economic sport environment of post 2000 while some harp back to the dreams of the 1950's?
The Bath T20 is probably the shape of future games outside the main venue and even that is a gamble that may only last one year.
But are there examples elsewhere of this enlightened thinking producing wonderfully attended and profitable festival cricket KT? You've told us how blinkered we are...where is this approach going on that we should follow.
Somerset do invest in community based cricket - but not where a multi-thousand pound loss is involved. If community based cricket is so important how come those communities are so unwilling to become partners in such a worthwhile enterprise?
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:02:12:13:43:36 by Grockle.
Where are these sponsors busting to do this? Why hasn't their imagination turned into proposals made to the club that have become solid physical games?
You seem to see this totally as the failing of the club in their role as cricket promoter when it actually illustrates a disinterest in festival cricket as a money maker by sponsors.
Maybe it's the club being realistic in the economic sport environment of post 2000 while some harp back to the dreams of the 1950's?
The Bath T20 is probably the shape of future games outside the main venue and even that is a gamble that may only last one year.
But are there examples elsewhere of this enlightened thinking producing wonderfully attended and profitable festival cricket KT? You've told us how blinkered we are...where is this approach going on that we should follow.
Somerset do invest in community based cricket - but not where a multi-thousand pound loss is involved. If community based cricket is so important how come those communities are so unwilling to become partners in such a worthwhile enterprise?
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:02:12:13:43:36 by Grockle.
So what's the answer Grockle? That cricket retreats inward and becomes a minority sport that talks only to itself? While the luxury long room is developed for devotees, cricket retreats from schools, vast swathes of the county, the public sphere?
How on earth is a single t20 game a risk when SCC used to play two three fixtures and a JPL at the rec?
In a rugby mad city I would be stunned if there wasn't a big audience for cricket in the summer.
A failure of imagination of ambition of seeing the bigger picture I'm afraid.
How on earth is a single t20 game a risk when SCC used to play two three fixtures and a JPL at the rec?
In a rugby mad city I would be stunned if there wasn't a big audience for cricket in the summer.
A failure of imagination of ambition of seeing the bigger picture I'm afraid.
Your 'bigger picture' is not the one of modern cricket KT.
Bath T20 with a possible capacity of 10K is the gamble in what you admit is a rugby mad city. If it works, it may well be the start of a longer policy to get the crowds back to cricket in the city AND one day some kind of programme of cricket based events in Bath.
But sorry mate. Three rows of deckchairs around some strip of grass on a sunny day in Weston is a thing of the past except at amateur level.
The crowds have moved on. In the days when football wasn't available all year around and kids played outside in the summer and went where their parents did in families then you could get yourself a captive audience, especially on a Sunday when there was sod all else to do.
Now? It's a different picture so cricket has to be a different game for those not particularly interested (as many weren't in the heady festival days as well).
You need thousands to pay for the H and S requirements and the seating needed to make an outground game viable. It isn't a case of 'bring your own chair and picnic'. They don't come for the game. They come for the event and they expect far far more to be put on for them. The hope is that the game experience will entice them back more than once.
What is the solution? Well why are you asking me? I've told you what my view of the solution is - what Somerset are doing;
Trying a new version of outfield cricket
Building a ground in a provincial town that attracts the punters in and gives them what they want when they get there
Building a side that play attractive cricket and give the punters what they want in order to drag them back
You don't like anything within that and you don't seem to have an alternative solution or example where the cricket you want to see is being driven forward by another county
I am a supporter of a strong cricket county who play in a good town based ground near local facilities where capacity has been increased without that being at the expense of the ground's character (your "stadium" comments really do show that you haven't been there for some time).
We still have outground cricket but it is still hand to mouth because we are bringing the game to the dis-interested without solid support from the local area.
The crowds keep coming to Taunton because they like what they get. Some of the short game watchers now come to 40 over games.
Will many of them go to Championship cricket? Nope. But then again not many wine drinkers buy bottles of Chateauneuf at their local supermarket when there's Bulgarian plonk at £3.99. But the supermarkets still stock it for the 10% who might because they'll still make money on the cheap stuff.
Championship games at Bath in the future? Nope but if the T20 idea works then CB40's will follow I would expect.
Your desire for the cricket of your memory is commendable but we live in a different era with different views of sport entertainment. The game environment is different, the punters are different.
The balance sheets of many counties show that the long term investment in festival based cricket came to nothing. The profits from increased desire to see it did not appear.
That has not stopped young players coming through to offer their services for a certain county. We have a strong youth system with strong candidates from all over the South West looking for games at Taunton. Gloucestershire have a strong festival and where are the droves of people coming into the Bristol setup?
You make huge generalisations about the link between public interest in the game, the lack of festival cricket in a county and the development of first class candidates. It's far more complicated than that.
You want to sort that out? Get the game on terrestrial television and invest in your league cricket setup. I think Somerset are one of the counties doing lots of the latter and they have little control over the former.
I'll give you a starting solution for a rise in the interest in cricket as a sport....get England to win the World Cup.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:02:12:21:09:51 by Grockle.
Bath T20 with a possible capacity of 10K is the gamble in what you admit is a rugby mad city. If it works, it may well be the start of a longer policy to get the crowds back to cricket in the city AND one day some kind of programme of cricket based events in Bath.
But sorry mate. Three rows of deckchairs around some strip of grass on a sunny day in Weston is a thing of the past except at amateur level.
The crowds have moved on. In the days when football wasn't available all year around and kids played outside in the summer and went where their parents did in families then you could get yourself a captive audience, especially on a Sunday when there was sod all else to do.
Now? It's a different picture so cricket has to be a different game for those not particularly interested (as many weren't in the heady festival days as well).
You need thousands to pay for the H and S requirements and the seating needed to make an outground game viable. It isn't a case of 'bring your own chair and picnic'. They don't come for the game. They come for the event and they expect far far more to be put on for them. The hope is that the game experience will entice them back more than once.
What is the solution? Well why are you asking me? I've told you what my view of the solution is - what Somerset are doing;
Trying a new version of outfield cricket
Building a ground in a provincial town that attracts the punters in and gives them what they want when they get there
Building a side that play attractive cricket and give the punters what they want in order to drag them back
You don't like anything within that and you don't seem to have an alternative solution or example where the cricket you want to see is being driven forward by another county
I am a supporter of a strong cricket county who play in a good town based ground near local facilities where capacity has been increased without that being at the expense of the ground's character (your "stadium" comments really do show that you haven't been there for some time).
We still have outground cricket but it is still hand to mouth because we are bringing the game to the dis-interested without solid support from the local area.
The crowds keep coming to Taunton because they like what they get. Some of the short game watchers now come to 40 over games.
Will many of them go to Championship cricket? Nope. But then again not many wine drinkers buy bottles of Chateauneuf at their local supermarket when there's Bulgarian plonk at £3.99. But the supermarkets still stock it for the 10% who might because they'll still make money on the cheap stuff.
Championship games at Bath in the future? Nope but if the T20 idea works then CB40's will follow I would expect.
Your desire for the cricket of your memory is commendable but we live in a different era with different views of sport entertainment. The game environment is different, the punters are different.
The balance sheets of many counties show that the long term investment in festival based cricket came to nothing. The profits from increased desire to see it did not appear.
That has not stopped young players coming through to offer their services for a certain county. We have a strong youth system with strong candidates from all over the South West looking for games at Taunton. Gloucestershire have a strong festival and where are the droves of people coming into the Bristol setup?
You make huge generalisations about the link between public interest in the game, the lack of festival cricket in a county and the development of first class candidates. It's far more complicated than that.
You want to sort that out? Get the game on terrestrial television and invest in your league cricket setup. I think Somerset are one of the counties doing lots of the latter and they have little control over the former.
I'll give you a starting solution for a rise in the interest in cricket as a sport....get England to win the World Cup.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:02:12:21:09:51 by Grockle.
Richard Gould, in his capacity as Somerset's CEO, certainly doesn't need to engage a 'Spin Doctor.'
I’ve just remembered why I love visiting this website.
I’ve just remembered why I love visiting this website.
I criticised them when I didn't think they were getting it right. I'll give them credit if I think they're doing something with a positive and supportive agenda.
Call it what you like. It's simply an opinion and I don't work for Mr Gould
It doesn't however stop me from missing the Stragglers or four day games at Bath.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:02:12:21:04:28 by Grockle.
Call it what you like. It's simply an opinion and I don't work for Mr Gould
It doesn't however stop me from missing the Stragglers or four day games at Bath.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:02:12:21:04:28 by Grockle.
Quote:Grockle
Get the game on terrestrial television and invest in your league cricket setup.
Sadly: and believe me I do mean it when I say sadly, I do genuinely believe that these two very laudable aims are now mutually exclusive.
Not that, I hasten to add, I disagree with anything else you say above, Grockle.
Re: Bath, I do wonder what impact, if any, the failure of that lot from Bristol to compete might have on the level of interest that SCCC is able to drum up?
Let’s get the Bath t20 experiment over with and see how much support it gets, we were saying after the AGM that we hope it is a great success with a large crowd but I have a niggling feeling that the support we not be there. I hope I am proved wrong.
It got to be a financial success other wise why do it!
Another thing to consider if more games were played away from Taunton you would see a big drop in t20 membership they are already losing one game this year.
It got to be a financial success other wise why do it!
Another thing to consider if more games were played away from Taunton you would see a big drop in t20 membership they are already losing one game this year.
Presumably the Taunton people are still ALLOWED to go to Bath, Mike?! It's not like it's at the end of the world - those of us for whom Taunton is a 3-hour journey (olr 5 coming home last time I went), I'd love Bath to be a regular venue.
I just hope it's a great sunny evening and it's a huge success.
I just hope it's a great sunny evening and it's a huge success.
There'll certainly be Taunton people there Shep but possibly not in numbers unless they plan to make a day of it in Bath. A four hour round trip for 3 hours of cricket might put a lot off, especially if there are games close at home as an alternative (short period lots of games and only one in Bath, some will choose to miss that one) - the club must be relying heavily on local support to make the numbers healthy.
That's why it's a gamble. Hope the marketing is good, the crowds come and the pitch holds up.
That's why it's a gamble. Hope the marketing is good, the crowds come and the pitch holds up.
I know you are correct about some will make the journey but a lot will not. The cost of travelling and then the parking, what is often said you spend as much time travelling as you do watching cricket.
I believe Mr Gould made a comment at the AGM to the t20 members about the one at Bath.
I wonder how many members went to the 40 over match last season at Bath and that was a longer match?
I believe Mr Gould made a comment at the AGM to the t20 members about the one at Bath.
I wonder how many members went to the 40 over match last season at Bath and that was a longer match?
Then again I suppose Mike. The game is on for the people of North Somerset. If they don't turn up to support it then it's a pretty solid message to the management isn't it?
From an "assessment of investment" point of view, the less the figures are massaged by travelling Tauntonians the better.
From an "assessment of investment" point of view, the less the figures are massaged by travelling Tauntonians the better.
That’s why I said “Let’s get the Bath t20 experiment over with and see how much support it gets” the club will know after the match if it is worth while continuing with it.
Whilst a laudable aim, the only way I can see Bath/Weston etc. being viable for anything other than occasional T20 games, would be if the Club can find a major sponsor willing to underwrite the whole thing in the event the weather ruined it.
Pretty unlikely in these times methinks.
Grizzzly
Pretty unlikely in these times methinks.
Grizzzly
I think the only "offers" of 'festival' game sponsorship to appear in the past few years have come from Devon and Cornwall.
There were rumours of some big ground improvement at Glastonbury with a festival possibility about 5 years ago but that seems to have come to nothing.
I always wonder why there is no interest from WSM though I suppose there is no real need to attract people there if they are already coming.
There were rumours of some big ground improvement at Glastonbury with a festival possibility about 5 years ago but that seems to have come to nothing.
I always wonder why there is no interest from WSM though I suppose there is no real need to attract people there if they are already coming.
Quote:Grockle
There were rumours of some big ground improvement at Glastonbury with a festival possibility about 5 years ago but that seems to have come to nothing.
It "came to nothing" because it was an 'April Fool's' posting by our Tibetan correspondent, I believe.
Just about sums up the possibility of a return to large festival cricket then I suppose
We can all but dream, I suppose.
Anyway, as it was such a well thought out jape, I have re - produced it here, in the hope that the author doesn't object of course, and to remind Grockle of what might have been: -
Anyway, as it was such a well thought out jape, I have re - produced it here, in the hope that the author doesn't object of course, and to remind Grockle of what might have been: -
Quote:Loyal of Lhasa
Interesting Announcement
Posted by: Loyal of Lhasa (IP Logged)
Date: April 01, 2004 01:05AM
I was doing some idle surfing last night – quite an achievement in landlocked Tibet – and came across this extremely interesting press release from Somerset County Council, headlined “Radical Developments for Central Somerset.”
"Council chiefs have recently given broad approval to a plan to invest heavily in what they are already calling the Avalon Conurbation. Central to the plan is the implementation of a strategic core programme to enhance tourist infrastructure, commensurate with the demands of the international travel scenario of the Twenty-first Century. Investment inputs will include the construction of three new 500-bed hotels, one in Street, one in Glastonbury and the third in a new key urban development to be called Pennard New Town. Low interest loans will be granted to existing and new tourist accommodation locations to enable the implementation of refurbishment to a standard appropriate to the contemporary business context. Pennard New Town will consist of the existing village of West Pennard, where 3,500 homes are to be constructed within a mile either side of the A361 linking Glastonbury with Shepton Mallet. Total inhabitants of the cumulative population centre, including Street, Glastonbury and Pennard New Town, together with the City of Wells just six miles from Glastonbury, are expected to number 60,000 by the year 2018. Transport infrastructure will be optimised by the completion of a new three-lane road linking Glastonbury with the M5 at Highbridge, following the track bed of the former Somerset and Dorset Railway. Most trains running between Bristol and Taunton will now stop at Highbridge and express buses will run every twenty minutes between Highbridge and Glastonbury, with immediate connections to Street, Pennard New Town and Wells.
Of special interest to sports lovers is the news of a major development of Glastonbury Cricket Ground, an initiative to be funded by a consortium of local businesses. This ground, formerly the property of Morlands Factory, staged first class cricket for just over twenty years from the early fifties and was famous for its fine batting wickets. At this point in time it is the home of Glastonbury Cricket Club. The ground, which will be renamed “Avalon Acres,” will be modernised by the construction of permanent sheltered seating, a sophisticated sports centre of excellence, and the 500-bed hotel mentioned above, which will include the new pavilion and corporate hospitality facilities. Preliminary designs indicate that the ground capacity will be approximately 16,500, sufficient for the staging of One-Day Internationals at what – with the backdrop of Glastonbury Tor and the neighbouring hills – will soon be recognised globally as one of the most attractive international venues. The car parking issue, which has proved almost insurmountable in existing urban centres, will be solved by using the Brown Field site of the former Morlands factory, which has already been designated unfit for residential buildings because of high levels of pollution. The car park will have space for 5,000 vehicles and be linked to the cricket ground (and to key sites in the conurbation) by a free Park and Ride facility. A spokesperson for Somerset County Cricket Club has advised the County Council that the club recognises the value of having a state of the art County Ground much closer to the centre of Somerset than Taunton and indicated that all plans to redevelop the St James site in Taunton will be put on indefinite hold while the potential investment risks and cost benefits of transferring to the proposed Avalon Acres are subjected to appropriate levels of analysis."
I think I’m going to have to adjust my retirement plans a little in the light of this surprising news. What do we think? Do we support this potential move or not? And what about that soppy name for the ground – in the middle of all that appallingly turgid and tautological business-speak? Perhaps Grockle could set up a poll where we can express our views.
LoL
Seemed hugely far fetched at the time I seem to remember and longer back than I thought.
I think the last possible sponsored offer was a Cornish idea but I can't for the life of me remember where that was suggested to be possibly taking place. It was mentioned at an AGM when the club had done some research and found that the most viable place for a festival game was in Yeovil in terms of probable support.
I think the last possible sponsored offer was a Cornish idea but I can't for the life of me remember where that was suggested to be possibly taking place. It was mentioned at an AGM when the club had done some research and found that the most viable place for a festival game was in Yeovil in terms of probable support.
Maybe we should approach Weston's most famous Business, to see if they would sponsor us:
[www.westondonkeys.co.uk]
Grizzzly
[www.westondonkeys.co.uk]
Grizzzly
I have already tried that, Grizzzly, but unfortunately got just a Neighhhhhhh.
Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.
Somerset News 24/7
More Somerset headlines
- MetroBank Game 3 - v Warks and a change of Weather
- Metro50 Game1 - Welcome to the next stage - Notts at Welbeck
- Blast Finals Day Semi 1 - It's Northants Again!!
- Blast Quarter Final Here We Go at Headingley
- Blast Game 12 - Simple Beat the Pears!!
- Women's Blast Game 12 - Fanx Tara Towie
- Blast Game 11 - Northants Part 2 - Gregory Back?
- Women's Blast Game 11 - Blazing Away\!!
- Blast Game 10 - Derby to the Wire as well
Somerset latest threads
- Two more years for Lewis
- MetroBank Game 3 - v Warks and a change of Weather
- Poll: 2026 Best Blast Player
- Poll: Best CC1 Player Part 1
- Metrobank 50 Game2 - Home Derby
- Members online forum - the future of SCCC
- Metro50 Game1 - Welcome to the next stage - Notts at Welbeck
- Blast Finals Day Semi 1 - It's Northants Again!!
- RIP the GREAT Gary Sobers
- Metro50 NOT "Developmental" by choice