By Grockle
December 13 2004

So, we know most of what is going on now. That suggests that tonight might not be the most rivetting meeting ever. Hey guess what...not a lot was said to quite a few more mebers than usual. Good attendance, poor news worthyness!! But, what there was is here for your delectation. Enjoy

AGM - Taunton 12/13/04

 

Queueing at the door annd standing room only tonight. The great and the good on the floor and the stage. Clark, Kerslake, Garraway and Anderson. Mark gets a clap and Bill Alley gets a minute of respectful silence.  It’s a good start all in all

 

Then we're on to the 'blah' stuff. Vital I'm sure but....

 

Giles starts his address by paying respect to Mr A and then it’s on to the meaty stuff.

 

Questions

·         SCCC's opinion on the amount of international cricket

No real answer given – skirting the question isn’t a good start!

·         Do we have the bowlers

We need to use our strike bowlers as what they are and rely on the other bowlers to do their bit and take wickets.  Mark G’s first response isn’t exactly skirting the issue!

·         Will Marcus play?

At least in April given the present situation

·         Why are we keeping Shiney?

And it was asked exactly like that – a little indelicate for our usual quiet rebels.  Mark’s response is simple because he's a good coach doing a good job in his new position and one of the best bowling coaches in the country (and as happy as Larry when I talked to him earlier this month!)

·         Can we breed future captains?

It's part of the programme and we've a few coming through - Wes and Matt mentioned.

·         The Ground redevelopment

Is on-going, has altered slightly, but has 'government' support and is expected to go on as a real proposal

·         Has the Ponting situation altered ?

Not as far as we know but it is still in the hands of the ACB. Smith is confirmed however SA cricket have signed.

 

And that was your lot!

 

Financial info?

We have lost  about 400-ish members, poor tourist game, poor floodlit game.

 

Bigger players bill - mostly Ponting and Caddy, who lost his central contract status.

 

The concert lost £9K - the gamble didn't work but it was worth it and we will do something (more lucrative) again

 

A minor operating loss but we broke even - not bad in a poor playing year.  Good performances and the Aussies should make things better.

 

The Barnicotts building is being rented at the moment.  It is an asset should we need capital but no intention of selling it unless there is real financial hardship.

 

We're leaving the shop with Boundary Sports - that's a change from the earlier "get the ‘Somerset’ name about" approach.  The club obviously decided the rent was worth more than taking the merchandising back in-house.

 

From a financial point of view, Ricky Ponting paid for himself in terms of revenue raising it seems!

 

There was an expression of thanks for Chris Ondaajte from a lady supporter and a round of applause from the supporters.

 

The change in the club status was voeted for by about 1020 for with not more than 30 against.

 

Peter A gave us a little insight.  While opening the postal votes he came across one which read “Anderson you tosser!.  I was going to vote against until I heard you were leaving but now I’ll vote for”.

 

Roy Kerslake finished the evening making the point that SCCC are trying to lay the foundation and organisation for a successful 2005 and that the supporters will have to give them the time to see if they have it right.

 

The evening ended and the full house went home to hibernate.  Roll on April, sun and Banger in maroon (or what ever they wear instead)..

 

Merry Christmas one and all