Essex Outfielder : The Unofficial Essex CCC Forum
Cricket => Official Q&A => Topic started by: mawallace on April 09, 2021, 08:03:08 PM
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Had an email inviting me to put into the member's ballot. I was surprised that I was only able to enter for a restricted number of County matches. not even a full match!
anyone else had the same thing.
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Yes I had that - I just opted for every red ball day.
Very restricted areas of the ground as well.
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I did not get an e mail as I have not renewed my membership. Hearing what is on offer I am very happy that I have not been ripped off again.
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I know there has to be strict measures in place but the Code of Conduct makes for depressing reading.
In an outdoor environment, with social distancing, I could not wear a mask for 7 hours or more, watching cricket.
If that is a requirement I will not bother.
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You heard it here first. I said a couple of months ago that the terms and conditions would not make for a good experience.
It will only take a new CEO who thinks that ground developments and open grounds and season tickets is the way forward and I will have watched my last Essex CCC Cricket live.
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I have just checked the membership page and the twitter account. There is no mention of ballots and code of conduct. Pay for membership and get a nasty surprise.
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The code of conduct was included in the membership email.
You will be told:
What time to arrive
Which entrance to attend.
Advised to not bring a bag.
Where to sit.
Wear a mask except when eating.
No shouting or singing
No face to face communication with other supporters.
Do not leave your seat except for toilet breaks
Do not ask for autographs or selfies
No cash payments
Do as instructed by stewards.
Enjoy your day!
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Why are you asked not to bring a bag? That restriction is for concerns about weapons and things that might cause annoyance such as musical instruments.
No cash. The transmission of covid via cash is almost non existent.
Almost everwhere else gave up on the walk around in one direction and keep apart rules months ago.
So they knew a number of people who got it. You just had to look at them to see why.
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Perov Thank you for listing the "rules" for attending. Whilst understanding the need for caution these are precisely the conditions that make attending cricket this season impossible for me. I attend Championship cricket on the understanding I can bring my own food and drink and sit, within reason, wherever I like. Sadly these conditions sound like a thoroughly unpleasant experience to me.
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anyone would think thy don't want members or spectators. The chairman is an increasing disappointment.
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At a members forum years ago David East hinted that the security restrictions were there as Essex CCC adopted the belt braces and cycle clips position in case anything happened.
I can see that mentality still exists.
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The ballot and rules are for stage 3 only NOT the whole season. I will be bringing food and drink - surely safer thn queuing to buy?
Stage Three guidelines permit limited crowds in attendance and you are invited to enter a Members' ticket ballot for LV= Insurance County Championship and Vitality Blast fixtures taking place between 17 May - 21 June.
Stage Four guidelines are set to be rolled out from 21 June (subject to no Government changes) will full crowds returning to the ground for the remainder of the campaign.
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Yes - just done my ballot for me and three new life members. I can live with this for hopefully just a couple of matches. Clearly the issue about bags, which I will be bringing, is the bottleneck it will cause and the safety of the people doing a search. Bring a transparent one if you can!
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Non cash payments are becoming the norm at sporting events. The Oval has been cashless for a number years. A number of local football and golf clubs have also adopted this policy.
It's going to be the new norm going forward.
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Non cash payments are becoming the norm at sporting events. The Oval has been cashless for a number years. A number of local football and golf clubs have also adopted this policy.
It's going to be the new norm going forward.
One of the big issues is the hassle of having to pay cash into the bank. With contactless it's straight into the account. With cash someone has to count it and physically pay it in. Banks are increasingly reluctant to handle large amounts of cash, as my wife is finding. She works at a church who currently take a cash collection. They bank with one of the big four, who have told them they won't be taking cash at all at the local branch and very limited amounts at the branch in the next town. This all drives towards donation contactlessly or by direct debit but older people are getting left behind. CV19 has clearly accelerated all of this, but it was happening anyway.
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As the rules say you can only leave your seat to go to the toilet, I have a couple of observations:
1. How are you going to eat and drink if you can't leave your seat to buy anything and can't bring a bag with your lunch and tea in it?
2. What, exactly, are you going to pay for with your card if you can't leave your seat to buy food or drink?
Maybe they're coming round with a trolley and a card-reader?
Lynda
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As the rules say you can only leave your seat to go to the toilet, I have a couple of observations:
1. How are you going to eat and drink if you can't leave your seat to buy anything and can't bring a bag with your lunch and tea in it?
2. What, exactly, are you going to pay for with your card if you can't leave your seat to buy food or drink?
Maybe they're coming round with a trolley and a card-reader?
Lynda
The code of conduct doesn't say you can only leave your seat to use the loo. It does ask patrons to minimise movement and plan when to get up and be careful when passing others. Face coverings "may" be required except when eating or drinking.
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I liked the
No hi fives or hugging
Correct me if I am wrong, but I don't recall that at any match I've been to!
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So, has anyone actually read the ‘rules’? Seems people are ‘interpreting’ them differently.
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Yes, I've read them. I suspect T20 will be what the hugging comment related to. I imagine those games will be harder to "police"?
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This is what it says:
The following Spectator Code of Conduct will apply for all Stage Three matches. Stage Four matches may also be subject to the Spectator Code of Conduct however the Club awaits clarification from the Government and SGSA.
In order to assist our staff and stewards, and to help protect you and your fellow spectators, you are required under Government guidelines to adhere to the below spectator code of conduct.
• You must not attend if you are suffering from COVID-19 symptoms, self-isolating, shielding or suspect you may have COVID-19. All ticket holders must complete and return the health self-assessment form 24 hours in advance of the match (see booking confirmation email for link).
• Accurate contact information must be provided for all ticket holders for Club track and trace in addition to using the NHS COVID-19 app if requested.
• Arrive in good time to go through all the necessary entry procedures including security and temperature checks. Please avoid bringing bags where possible in order to avoid delays on entry. Entry time for ticket holders in your Stand / Block will be communicated to you 48 hours ahead of the event based on latest operational plans.
• Be aware that medical mitigation will be in place for any attendee returning a high temperature on arrival. A second temperature check will be taken after an isolation period with entry refused if the result is not within Government guidelines.
• Make sure in advance that you know where your entry point is, and, if an entry time is specified on your ticket, be there on time. This information will be stated in your booking confirmation and pre-match email if applicable.
• Be aware that you may be required to wear a face covering in all parts of the ground for the duration of the event save for when eating or drinking.
• At all times and in all parts of the ground, observe social distancing and avoid close contact with others not in your social or support bubble.
• Be aware that all payments inside the ground are contactless.
• If you need to access any of the ground’s amenities, such as toilets, food and drink outlets, or concessions, check to see if any of them are not in use, and plan accordingly.
• Observe and adhere to all one-way systems in operation and any area of the ground closed off from use.
• Remain in your seat at all times whenever possible. All tickets are allocated and you should only sit in the seat you have been assigned.
• If you do need to leave your viewing position, wait for a time when the gangway is clear and always follow steward’s advice and/or signs indicating which way to go.
• When in seated areas and moving past other spectators, to get to and from your seat, please avoid face-to-face contact with other spectators.
• If you are in a standing area, please stay within your social or support bubble and remain aware of the movements of others at all times.
• Avoid congregating on concourse areas.
• Maintain good hand hygiene – use the sanitiser dispensers provided and avoid touching your face whenever possible.
• Please do not approach players for “selfies” & or autographs.
• Please observe respiratory etiquette – always cover your mouth if needing to cough or sneeze.
• Avoid hugs, high-fives and any close contact with people who are not within your social or support bubble.
• Avoid shouting, singing or celebrating.
• When leaving the ground, please be patient, follow the instruction of stewards/staff and observe social distancing guidelines.
• The above are in addition to all Essex CCC and ECB ground regulations.
• If you are attending with other members of your social or support bubble, please make sure they have read and understood these guidelines too.
Any breach of this code of conduct may result in your ejection from the ground and loss of tickets to future games played during Stage Three restrictions.
Thank you for your support and co-operation. Stay alert. Stay safe. Help us all – your fellow fans, your Club, your sport, your community.
Please note the above Spectator Code of Conduct applies at time of purchase and issued in addition to the Ground Regulations available in full via the Club website or upon request from the Membership & Ticketing Office. Any amendment(s) as a result of changes in guidelines from Government or Sports Ground Safety Authority (SGSA) will be circulated no later than 24 hours before the event date.
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Avoid shouting, singing or celebrating
Shouldn’t be too difficult.
Are they seriously providing toilet facilities? That’s not COVID secure. Go before you arrive and hold on until close of play people!
Or, given we have to remain in our seats, can we bring our own bottle?
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Is that right that the ground will be opening at 6am each day, so Mr Choat has sufficient time to read out the new regulations on top of the ones we regularly have to endure?
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The problem is that there are leading scientists, none of whom who are allowed anywhere near anything important through certain media outlets are predicting doom and gloom.
The way things are going, at the press conferences after June 21st they will be able to read out the names of the deaths and hospitalizations rather than the figures.
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The problem is that there are leading scientists, none of whom who are allowed anywhere near anything important through certain media outlets are predicting doom and gloom.
The way things are going, at the press conferences after June 21st they will be able to read out the names of the deaths and hospitalizations rather than the figures.
Whilst I’m mindful of events where crowds start hugging each other under the influence of narcotics, I would say that red ball cricket crowds will be capable of using their common sense: social distancing is relatively easy, masks in queues or toilets, fill up with sanitzer etc.
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I've been supportive of the club so far in the way they've handled this, but as I predicted in a post here last month, they just outsourced the whole thing to the securicrats and produced a code of conduct that might as well say "Sorry we can't be a**ed to have people in the ground, so we've made the whole thing so unattractive that they will be forced to stay at home and watch the livestream" (while being sent demented by the interminable effusions of D Topley).
It would take too long to set all the horrors out in detail but here are a few for starters:
*Not being able to bring in a bag for an all day game is totally unreasonable, especially if there's no food on sale in the ground. So everyone has either to starve or go into town, mingling with more people than they otherwise would.
*There's no recognition that some older members don't use the internet or email. How are they supposed to get tickets?
*What on earth is the problem with allowing people in on day 4? If numbers are smaller, you don't need so many staff.
*Why do people have to turn up at set times? Why can't someone work in the morning and come down at lunchtime or teatime?
*Nothing re whether Meteor Way will be available. (NB the park and rise bus is currently suspended).
I'm very disappointed that Peter Northfield as chair of membership, who has always seemed genuinely on the side of members, has signed off on this.
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In addition, card payments for scorecards?
A member may have paid the subscription, have email, had the vaccine, wear a mask, arrive at the alloted time, and keep to social distancing, and even have a basic mobile phone.
But if they don't have a smart phone with apps for contact tracing will they be barred?
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How are some members who have issues that everything has to be ordered and set out for them in their life going to be able to cope with all this?
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you can bet your life that none of thiswill apply to the committee members.
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The Club will say that "They" told us to do this. I did ask a snooty old woman Premier member when they made a statement about "They" giving an instruction, could it be confirmed who these people are.
"They" appear to be a large shadowy organisation the same as The Do Gooders who nobody knows who the members actually are.
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I've been supportive of the club so far in the way they've handled this, but as I predicted in a post here last month, they just outsourced the whole thing to the securicrats and produced a code of conduct that might as well say "Sorry we can't be a**ed to have people in the ground, so we've made the whole thing so unattractive that they will be forced to stay at home and watch the livestream" (while being sent demented by the interminable effusions of D Topley).
It would take too long to set all the horrors out in detail but here are a few for starters:
*Not being able to bring in a bag for an all day game is totally unreasonable, especially if there's no food on sale in the ground. So everyone has either to starve or go into town, mingling with more people than they otherwise would.
*There's no recognition that some older members don't use the internet or email. How are they supposed to get tickets?
*What on earth is the problem with allowing people in on day 4? If numbers are smaller, you don't need so many staff.
*Why do people have to turn up at set times? Why can't someone work in the morning and come down at lunchtime or teatime?
*Nothing re whether Meteor Way will be available. (NB the park and rise bus is currently suspended).
I'm very disappointed that Peter Northfield as chair of membership, who has always seemed genuinely on the side of members, has signed off on this.
Excellent post.
No official news on actual numbers allowed in yet.
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A lot of the restrictions are similar to those applied by football clubs last Autumn, so didn't surprise me. In the blurb it says a pen and ink version of the form is in the membership pack so one assumes there is a non on line option. One is asked to use one format only. No 4th day crowds is clearly about not incurring costs for something that may not happen. Didn't they say at the member's forum these measures cost about £20k a day?
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No official news on actual numbers allowed in yet.
Rumour is 250 tops (allegedly confirmed by Membership Office)
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Has anyone had their pack yet?
No sign of mine ...
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No official news on actual numbers allowed in yet.
Rumour is 250 tops (allegedly confirmed by Membership Office)
I presume that excludes the committee and all the other characters who seem to get in by the back door?
Doesn't bode well for what happens after June 21st either.
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I’m a bit puzzled. I travel by bus; takes a bit over an hour. If I get the first bus on which I can use my bus pass it often means I get to the ground shortly after the game starts.
Will I be able to get in?
I assume I’ll also be able to leave when I want, as well, given the bus times.
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No official news on actual numbers allowed in yet.
Rumour is 250 tops (allegedly confirmed by Membership Office)
Not sure it's a rumour. It was stated on the ballot entry process: 200 on each of the first three days, zero on the fourth day and 600 on T20 days.
A scandalously low figure which in no way reflects a potential safe capacity.
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No official news on actual numbers allowed in yet.
Rumour is 250 tops (allegedly confirmed by Membership Office)
Not sure it's a rumour. It was stated on the ballot entry process: 200 on each of the first three days, zero on the fourth day and 600 on T20 days.
A scandalously low figure which in no way reflects a potential safe capacity.
they want to limit the crowd to player's family/friends and committee members' family/friends.
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A lot of the restrictions are similar to those applied by football clubs last Autumn, so didn't surprise me. In the blurb it says a pen and ink version of the form is in the membership pack so one assumes there is a non on line option. One is asked to use one format only. No 4th day crowds is clearly about not incurring costs for something that may not happen. Didn't they say at the member's forum these measures cost about £20k a day?
The on costs of having a few stewards on standby can't be that great surely? I'd be interested to see a breakdown of that amount.
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The figure for T20 is a joke. It will not exactly meet the demand. The figure for Championship cricket shows that they would rather play behind closed doors. As they have got membership payment off people if they were to do that, those who paid will realise that they have been ripped off. Around 90% of them at this rate will be in that position.
It costs money to hire the field at Meteor Way and it requires at least two Stewards to manage. As there will be no Corporate guests and the Premier Suite is shut can they use their places in the Car Park next door? The Premier members have 10 places reserved for them and Corporate guests have places allocated as well. As the capacity has been reduced considerably can the disabled places which are a ratio of the capacity be reduced as well?
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Probably not much consolation but Somerset members appear to be having the same experience-see their message board at https://www.cricketnetwork.co.uk/boards/read/s59.htm?60,16962693.
Were the club really aware that we would be looking at such tiny numbers allowed in (even for the Blast) up to mid June when they collected direct debits at the end of March? If so they were selling membership on a false prospectus. If not, how far have they challenged the attitudes of PHE or whoever is dictating these measures? And don't even get me started on why I seem to have very little chance of watching cricket, when I can go and join loads of folk milling around unmasked in Primark......
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Considering the club is mindful of running up any massive dept, 15k costs a day, which includes medical and security staff, for only 200/250 attendees seems rather excessive.
When and where will results be issued on how many were requested / denied on these ballot days ?
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If anyone gets red ball tickets could they let people know? I applied for every day offered.
The only option for seating for red ball was Felsted stand and Hayes Close area.
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The only option for seating for red bakk was Felsted stand and Hayes Close area.
There in lies the problem - if you only have those two stands open you will struggle to get 200 people in - keeping them 2 m apart.
But £15 k to steward that seems to be a lot of money.
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The ECB and Sports Ground Safety Authority review of the ground under COVID-19 restrictions said that the maximum figure that can be admitted under Stage 3 guidance is 600.
A little bit on the cautious side, but we can all see the rational behind that.
What is TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE is for the club reducing this to 200 spectators a day for FINANCIAL REASONS.
Yes, the more the crowd, the higher the cost of stewarding and medical facilities, but SO WHAT?
The club have conveniently overlooked that we fully subsidised them last season, and look like doing so again.
Why don't the club just ask for annual donations, and have all games behind closed doors, because it is clear that is what they want?
As members we have been treated appallingly on this issue. Oh for the days of Peter Edwards;it would have been handled in a way where the members were made to feel welcome and wanted.
Shame on the committee.
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Not surprised at all. Only thing is that we don't know whether 6 weeks of chavs in beer Gardens and low price retail establishments will trigger a strengthening of lock down rules. Maybe this is at the bottom of the club's thinking - managing expectations?
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Not surprised at all. Only thing is that we don't know whether 6 weeks of chavs in beer Gardens and low price retail establishments will trigger a strengthening of lock down rules. Maybe this is at the bottom of the club's thinking - managing expectations?
No, Andy. Covid is being used as a convenient excuse. There is sadly only one thing at the top, middle and bottom of the club's thinking on this.......£££££££££££££££££££££££££
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Despite free gifts, heartstring pulling and violin playing. I have not given the club a donation.
To encourage renewal, there were offers of free meals in the shut members restaurant and a free meal for Premier members in another shut area.
Are these going to be held over to 2022? Somehow I doubt it.
All this starting off with only giving refunds if you were virtually sleeping in a cardboard box and this season taking money and not offering anything worthwhile in return disgusts me.
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Not surprised at all. Only thing is that we don't know whether 6 weeks of chavs in beer Gardens and low price retail establishments will trigger a strengthening of lock down rules. Maybe this is at the bottom of the club's thinking - managing expectations?
No, Andy. Covid is being used as a convenient excuse. There is sadly only one thing at the top, middle and bottom of the club's thinking on this.......£££££££££££££££££££££££££
Well a professional sports club needs to look at the bottom line. But this comes after many decisions that seem to suggest that the members are very, very low on the totem pole.
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Not surprised at all. Only thing is that we don't know whether 6 weeks of chavs in beer Gardens and low price retail establishments will trigger a strengthening of lock down rules. Maybe this is at the bottom of the club's thinking - managing expectations?
No, Andy. Covid is being used as a convenient excuse. There is sadly only one thing at the top, middle and bottom of the club's thinking on this.......£££££££££££££££££££££££££
Well a professional sports club needs to look at the bottom line. But this comes after many decisions that seem to suggest that the members are very, very low on the totem pole.
Well if that's the case we either need to climb up to the top of this totem pole, or better still, saw it down.
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Despite free gifts, heartstring pulling and violin playing. I have not given the club a donation.
To encourage renewal, there were offers of free meals in the shut members restaurant and a free meal for Premier members in another shut area.
Are these going to be held over to 2022? Somehow I doubt it.
All this starting off with only giving refunds if you were virtually sleeping in a cardboard box and this season taking money and not offering anything worthwhile in return disgusts me.
My sentiments entirely, Vim.
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Well if that's the case we either need to climb up to the top of this totem pole, or better still, saw it down.
Brave words. Better bring your own saw.
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Not surprised at all. Only thing is that we don't know whether 6 weeks of chavs in beer Gardens and low price retail establishments will trigger a strengthening of lock down rules. Maybe this is at the bottom of the club's thinking - managing expectations?
No, Andy. Covid is being used as a convenient excuse. There is sadly only one thing at the top, middle and bottom of the club's thinking on this.......£££££££££££££££££££££££££
Exactly. Instead of sitting down round the table and planning how they could safely admit as many of their loyal members as possible during easing restrictions, they appear to have simply used it as a cost minimisation exercise. What is the absolute minimum we can get away with seems to be their modus operandi. The amount of thought for their (once again) paid-up members can be reasonably estimated as somewhere between zero and none.
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For 2 seasons now I have seen as yet NIL cricket and with the present terms and conditions in place for balloting I cannot see where my £340 is going to be used, especially as the ECB have still to make a statement about the safe return of cricket after 21st June.
To me the conditions before 21st June are totally unacceptable and OTT, it looks like they have been cut and pasted from the original EFL statement when football returned briefly before Xmas.
The county owe the members, as they seem to forget that the public pay their wages, yet we are alienated from all decision making or the understanding of the making of such draconic measures, especially as 50 % of the membership will have been double vaccinated by the time May 17th arrives.
If they are unsure how people react under pressure with covid practise then I suggest that someone with authority pops down to Primark where they are serving in excess of 1500 people per hour inside without half of the restrictions that Essex CCC want to impose outdoors.
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It's going to be interesting to see how people react going forward!
I've got tickets to the pilot at Sheffield for the snooker .
The final was fully sold out 3 weeks ago, but having seen the two lateral flow tests (before and after), and the number of restrictions - masks all day - and so -at the time of typing there are still 50% of tickets now back on sale.
The chatter on the snooker forums is that people want to watch the sport - but not have all the flaff and risk - of going.
I suspect that people will return in June - if there are few resrtcitions.
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When my employer was involved in the Olympics I was one of the members of staff to be asked if I would like to be involved. i was sent a list of dos and don'ts. As it was 90% don'ts I and a few others decided not to bother.
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Apparently the final details for conditions of attendance will be known on 3rd May, following a Government update.
At the moment masks must worn, although a head shield visor would be acceptable.
The NHS Covid app, is advised, but IS NOT mandatory for attendance at the ground.
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Does anyone know where the online ballot form is located?
Blowed if I can find it on the website.
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The link was in an e-mail - paper copy in Members pack.
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Cheers for the info
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To infuriate me even further, Richard Gould CEO at Surrey has announced 25% sell outs (6500) at all days of the Middlesex games and 25% sell outs at all of the pre 21st June 20/20 fixtures.
They are also in talks with the IPL about staging a fixture this season and next?
Yesterday there were 200k infections in India and over 1000 deaths in one day, yet Surrey are preparing to bring a franchise over here to play a game and will probably make it work, we are allowing 200 members in per day and why is it safe to bring 400 more in for the 20/20?
Can someone explain the counties business plan apart from cost savings?
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To infuriate me even further, Richard Gould CEO at Surrey has announced 25% sell outs (6500) at all days of the Middlesex games and 25% sell outs at all of the pre 21st June 20/20 fixtures.
They are also in talks with the IPL about staging a fixture this season and next?
Yesterday there were 200k infections in India and over 1000 deaths in one day, yet Surrey are preparing to bring a franchise over here to play a game and will probably make it work, we are allowing 200 members in per day and why is it safe to bring 400 more in for the 20/20?
Can someone explain the counties business plan apart from cost savings?
Have you missed the earlier points. It has nothing to do with safety. If they wished, they could admit 600 to each day of each game. For T20 everyone pays, including members.
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I havent missed the points Mick, I am just enforcing the cost saving element in relation to our club against other counties.
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Just in case anyone is interested.. the 'Code of conduct' must be something the clubs have written themselves - it's exactly the same wording at Kent, and a couple of others.
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Does the code of conduct state that, no matter how many times there are broken promises. I will not complain and should consider myself very lucky to be shafted.
They only do it to special people.
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Does the code of conduct state that, no matter how many times there are broken promises. I will not complain and should consider myself very lucky to be shafted.
They only do it to special people.
Corporate gaslighting.
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To infuriate me even further, Richard Gould CEO at Surrey has announced 25% sell outs (6500) at all days of the Middlesex games and 25% sell outs at all of the pre 21st June 20/20 fixtures.
They are also in talks with the IPL about staging a fixture this season and next?
Yesterday there were 200k infections in India and over 1000 deaths in one day, yet Surrey are preparing to bring a franchise over here to play a game and will probably make it work, we are allowing 200 members in per day and why is it safe to bring 400 more in for the 20/20?
Can someone explain the counties business plan apart from cost savings?
Because they have an incredible test match ground with mountains of space in and around it. We have a sh**hole of a non test match ground with no space in and around it. Fairly simple really. If you want to blame someone, then blame the various people who have been in charge at Essex CCC for failing to redevelop Chelmsford despite vowing to do so for the last 15 years.
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If the Brown/East development had gone ahead, we would have been in the position that no one would be admitted. With the amount of development at the River end, it would have been difficult for the teams and ground staff to stick to the conditions.
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Same old problem, having a ground near the city centre means a lack of space for redevelopment. Perhaps when land was cheaper in the early 90s the club could've either moved away or bought the prime Real Estate that was the Old hospital.
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The code of conduct is drafted by people who are better than you.
You do not.
Become a name at Lloyds.
Buy into a development that has been completed as Shanrigi-La is not for the likes of you.
Help people with difficulties in moving large amounts of money or gold bars from abroad.
Invest in a Football based spread betting/futures system.
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The code of conduct is drafted by people who are better than you.
You do not.
Become a name at Lloyds.
Buy into a development that has been completed as Shanrigi-La is not for the likes of you.
Help people with difficulties in moving large amounts of money or gold bars from abroad.
Invest in a Football based spread betting/futures system.
I know my place.
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A recorded message on the ticket line contact number advises that they will holding the ballot for the CC games today and advising the successful applications via email. Once the CC ballot is completed they will then move onto the T20 ballot.
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Thanks Shenfield Eagle
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Can posters let us know if you get a ticket please?
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A recorded message on the ticket line contact number advises that they will holding the ballot for the CC games today and advising the successful applications via email. Once the CC ballot is completed they will then move onto the T20 ballot.
The way they're currently playing...
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those unlucky in the ballot will get two tickets.
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To infuriate me even further, Richard Gould CEO at Surrey has announced 25% sell outs (6500) at all days of the Middlesex games and 25% sell outs at all of the pre 21st June 20/20 fixtures.
They are also in talks with the IPL about staging a fixture this season and next?
Yesterday there were 200k infections in India and over 1000 deaths in one day, yet Surrey are preparing to bring a franchise over here to play a game and will probably make it work, we are allowing 200 members in per day and why is it safe to bring 400 more in for the 20/20?
Can someone explain the counties business plan apart from cost savings?
Because they have an incredible test match ground with mountains of space in and around it. We have a sh**hole of a non test match ground with no space in and around it. Fairly simple really. If you want to blame someone, then blame the various people who have been in charge at Essex CCC for failing to redevelop Chelmsford despite vowing to do so for the last 15 years.
I recall this saga going back a lot more than 15 years. Certainly there was quite a lot of talk of the club moving about 30 years ago, and in the 1990s David East had Great Plans which never materialised.
Much as I love to visit the County Ground, it looks pretty shabby in comparison with, say, Taunton.
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A recorded message on the ticket line contact number advises that they will holding the ballot for the CC games today and advising the successful applications via email. Once the CC ballot is completed they will then move onto the T20 ballot.
The way they're currently playing...
...
those unlucky in the ballot will get two tickets.
But might be in line for a call up if they can hold a bat the right way around.
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To infuriate me even further, Richard Gould CEO at Surrey has announced 25% sell outs (6500) at all days of the Middlesex games and 25% sell outs at all of the pre 21st June 20/20 fixtures.
They are also in talks with the IPL about staging a fixture this season and next?
Yesterday there were 200k infections in India and over 1000 deaths in one day, yet Surrey are preparing to bring a franchise over here to play a game and will probably make it work, we are allowing 200 members in per day and why is it safe to bring 400 more in for the 20/20?
Can someone explain the counties business plan apart from cost savings?
Because they have an incredible test match ground with mountains of space in and around it. We have a sh**hole of a non test match ground with no space in and around it. Fairly simple really. If you want to blame someone, then blame the various people who have been in charge at Essex CCC for failing to redevelop Chelmsford despite vowing to do so for the last 15 years.
I recall this saga going back a lot more than 15 years. Certainly there was quite a lot of talk of the club moving about 30 years ago, and in the 1990s David East had Great Plans which never materialised.
Much as I love to visit the County Ground, it looks pretty shabby in comparison with, say, Taunton.
Well a conman disappeared with a load of cash at one point by "selling" the Chelmsford City football ground to the club. Wasn't there a move to Springfield mooted with a stadium that could host ODIs and a station, but it all fell through? Mind you, look at the muddle Durham and Glamorgan got into with grounds too big for their needs. I also recall Southend council offering to help us re-develop Garon Park if the Chelmsford council refused planning permission for the ground re-development. I agree with the people currently running the club not to get into debt over ground improvements. The really important thing must be the cricket school and seeking local talent. Having said all of that 600 people should be let into championship matches.
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To infuriate me even further, Richard Gould CEO at Surrey has announced 25% sell outs (6500) at all days of the Middlesex games and 25% sell outs at all of the pre 21st June 20/20 fixtures.
They are also in talks with the IPL about staging a fixture this season and next?
Yesterday there were 200k infections in India and over 1000 deaths in one day, yet Surrey are preparing to bring a franchise over here to play a game and will probably make it work, we are allowing 200 members in per day and why is it safe to bring 400 more in for the 20/20?
Can someone explain the counties business plan apart from cost savings?
Because they have an incredible test match ground with mountains of space in and around it. We have a sh**hole of a non test match ground with no space in and around it. Fairly simple really. If you want to blame someone, then blame the various people who have been in charge at Essex CCC for failing to redevelop Chelmsford despite vowing to do so for the last 15 years.
I recall this saga going back a lot more than 15 years. Certainly there was quite a lot of talk of the club moving about 30 years ago, and in the 1990s David East had Great Plans which never materialised.
Much as I love to visit the County Ground, it looks pretty shabby in comparison with, say, Taunton.
Well a conman disappeared with a load of cash at one point by "selling" the Chelmsford City football ground to the club. Wasn't there a move to Springfield mooted with a stadium that could host ODIs and a station, but it all fell through? Mind you, look at the muddle Durham and Glamorgan got into with grounds too big for their needs. I also recall Southend council offering to help us re-develop Garon Park if the Chelmsford council refused planning permission for the ground re-development. I agree with the people currently running the club not to get into debt over ground improvements. The really important thing must be the cricket school and seeking local talent. Having said all of that 600 people should be let into championship matches.
Thanks Slogger. I vaguely recall most of this except the bit about Southend.
Bottom line: for a move or big ground improvements now, we need a Sugar Daddy. Anyone offering?
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Said many times before, we've got some very rich Essex Cricket fans within the sporting world. One of them runs Darts/Snooker/Boxing, the other runs a Premier League football team. Why someone doesn't give them a call I don't know. These billionaire franchise owners from India and Pakistan are always at pains to tell us that they want to invest in cricket across the world. Well come and invest in county cricket, I've got no problem with us ditching "Eagles" for "Knight Riders" in exchange for a wad of cash!
The ground is in a ideal location, centre of town and perfect for both Essex based fans and supporters coming in from London/East Anglia on public transport. We just need to completely redevelop what we already have and based on previous plans drawn up that got shelved, there is enough room for a full expansion if we basically tear one half of the ground down (the pavilion side) and build it all up again, which let's be honest is exactly what needs to be done. Somerset realised what needs to be done and did it. Sussex are doing it and we will be left behind.
I have a genuine question to all posters here as many are members. If a hugely rich benefactor in say the Bransgrove mould whether they be from Essex, England, Asia or anywhere in the world, came along and offered to buy a majority stake in the club in exchange for spending the multi millions needed to completely redevelop Chelmsford, turning it into a ground of say Taunton's standard with state of the art facilities, 10k capacity for T20s and the ability to host international cricket, would you go for it knowing it would be the end of Essex as a members club, but at the same time would likely keep our status as a first class county alive long term? Because let's be brutally honest here, unless Chelmsford is expanded/redeveloped or the club was to move, we won't be playing first class cricket for much longer if the ECB/Sky/BBC get their way. With the money it would cost, it feels to me like we can't have one without the other.
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For me, one of the recent additions to life membership, no never sell to an individual or group.
Just my opinion, I believe the current model gives the best chance of long term health and first class cricket.
Short term, sure investment is great. However, you only have to look at football to see the outcome is a soulless business where supporters become customers or even worse a total abuse and possible destruction of your club... Bury, Coventry, Wigan as evidence.
For me there is more to supporting your club than a craving for trophies and success; although that dream must always be there and we are / were* living that dream in the last 5 years. There is so much more when everyone remembers the common word in virtually every sports teams title, that word is 'club'. Something you belong to, support and invest energy in.
Then you just have to hope the combined energy outweighs the ££££ elsewhere.. and there you have it Essex v Hants.
* Time will tell.
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Agree, it should always be a members club. Ground re-development can still be achieved with a bit of creative thinking.
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I've got no problem with us ditching "Eagles" for "Knight Riders" in exchange for a wad of cash!
Ironically Hants who went down that IPL route have just gone back to being Hawks.
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Anyone had a 'yes' or 'no' to their ballot application yet??
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E-mail re ballot says we'll know on Monday 17th ... a bit tight for arranging accommodation ...
It aloso says "Please note that the Club has no plans to request proof of vaccine or negative lateral flow test result at this point, however, all entry arrangements will be constantly reviewed"
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It's the AGM on Tuesday so why don't we all have a moan re the ridiculous 200 limit?
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E-mail re ballot says we'll know on Monday 17th ... a bit tight for arranging accommodation ...
It aloso says "Please note that the Club has no plans to request proof of vaccine or negative lateral flow test result at this point, however, all entry arrangements will be constantly reviewed"
Are masks still required?
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If the franchise / city format in the hundred is successful. Unfortunately for me in the long term, I think these teams will also play first class cricket and England players will be picked from them. The counties which survive will effectively play a county championship but as a second tier competition.
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If the franchise / city format in the hundred is successful. Unfortunately for me in the long term, I think these teams will also play first class cricket and England players will be picked from them. The counties which survive will effectively play a county championship but as a second tier competition.
We have long known that. That is why every supporter of county cricket needs to oppose the '100' competition. Don't watch it, support it, write about it.
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It's the AGM on Tuesday so why don't we all have a moan re the ridiculous 200 limit?
I've had no paperwork about that ...
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If the franchise / city format in the hundred is successful. Unfortunately for me in the long term, I think these teams will also play first class cricket and England players will be picked from them. The counties which survive will effectively play a county championship but as a second tier competition.
We have long known that. That is why every supporter of county cricket needs to oppose the '100' competition. Don't watch it, support it, write about it.
If all members followed your suggestion Nat, it might hold it up for a few years. However father time catches up with us all, which maybe is what the authorities are counting on. What we need to do now is a drive to get youngesters interested in county cricket long before they reach secondary school age. So they stay interested in the 4 day game,when they won't have much time to actually see it.
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It's the AGM on Tuesday so why don't we all have a moan re the ridiculous 200 limit?
I've had no paperwork about that ...
That's the date shown in the Membership Guide-6pm, admittedly however we've not had a Zoom link nor seen the accounts yet so perhaps it will be put back. It's interesting also that we haven't had a Members Forum since the end of March.
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It's the AGM on Tuesday so why don't we all have a moan re the ridiculous 200 limit?
I've had no paperwork about that ...
That's the date shown in the Membership Guide-6pm, admittedly however we've not had a Zoom link nor seen the accounts yet so perhaps it will be put back. It's interesting also that we haven't had a Members Forum since the end of March.
I'd expect more than just the date as rules changes were mentioned ...
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I purchased a ticket for the Saturday of the Surry Middlesex game a couple of weeks ago as I was desperate to see any cricket.Went into Ballot here as well but thought I would guarantee some cricket.No mention of having to wear a mask or arrive at certain times and was informed that food and drink would be available.Seemed much more relaxed than we are!!
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I heard on commentary yesterday that Kent are allowing 900 into Canterbury for their first match.
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Just to add salt into the wounds, Surrey 2s are playing Hampshire 2s at New Malden next week and its open to anyone.
Interesting to see what happens at Garons the week after went Kent 2s visit, my guess is behind closed doors?
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Heard this evening that I've got a ticket for the Saturday of the Warwickshire match.
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Heard this evening that I've got a ticket for the Saturday of the Warwickshire match.
Time to hire your hazmat suit then. Enjoy.
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Ominous press conference from Boris earlier pretty much admitting that the chances of a June 21st reopening are slim. Got to fear for the club financially if that date gets pushed back. If we're losing 15k a day letting a few hundred members in, then we're in big trouble. Might have a take out a loan to survive and it must raise a question mark over contracts of key players like Harmer at the end of the season as well...
I said at the time not moving the Blast back to September was a huge mistake. I suspect the cost of that mistake will be felt very harshly by Essex.
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Crisp
What is the source of your info re New Malden please?
Some weeks ago on their Twitter page, Essex said their 2nd Xi games all season would be behind closed doors
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Brazilianglen, I am good mates with a Surrey member and he told me this was open to all.
I emailed Surrey and they replied confirming that the game was open to the public.
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Ominous press conference from Boris earlier pretty much admitting that the chances of a June 21st reopening are slim. Got to fear for the club financially if that date gets pushed back. If we're losing 15k a day letting a few hundred members in, then we're in big trouble. Might have a take out a loan to survive and it must raise a question mark over contracts of key players like Harmer at the end of the season as well...
I said at the time not moving the Blast back to September was a huge mistake. I suspect the cost of that mistake will be felt very harshly by Essex.
If we are losing 15k a day letting a few hundred members in, then I would question the club's efficiencies. Did they look into voluntary stewarding for instance?
All I know is if Canterbury can take in 900 a day whereas we are limiting it to 200, then it is either that we are being ludicrously risk averse, or we are paying well over the odds on safety measures and the like.
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Stewards get paid minimum wage, so for a 10 hour day it would be less than £100 per steward.
So 20 on duty (which would be excessive), would only cost £2,000.
With other staff like camera operators, food sales, etc, I can't see why it costs more than £5,000 maximum.
Groundstaff would already be paid, (spectators or no spectators), and it just seems that because members have already coughed up. the club is being lazy, and doing the minimum required.
At least 600 could be admitted and still be in a safe environment.
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They said on commentary today that the problem at Chelmsford is the narrow walkways. It is very hard to keep people safely distant. With the new rise in covid cases caution has to be the way for now however disappointing.
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Think you are being a bit harsh on the club, this limit would have been set by the local council and the various parties (safety advisory group, police, public health director for Essex etc) that input into the granting of the safety certificate that allows for spectators to enter the ground.
If we can demonstrate that we comply with all the protocols with 200 in the ground, hopefully it will be raised for the next CC game.
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Think you are being a bit harsh on the club, this limit would have been set by the local council and the various parties
The club themselves have stated that the "limit" is 600.
Our new Executive Chairman has decided to adopt 200 on supposed cost grounds.
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Think you are being a bit harsh on the club, this limit would have been set by the local council and the various parties
The club themselves have stated that the "limit" is 600.
Our new Executive Chairman has decided to adopt 200 on supposed cost grounds.
Quite. If 600 were being let in there would be no argument from me.
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Think you are being a bit harsh on the club, this limit would have been set by the local council and the various parties
The club themselves have stated that the "limit" is 600.
Our new Executive Chairman has decided to adopt 200 on supposed cost grounds.
Quite. If 600 were being let in there would be no argument from me.
Absolutely. It is the reduction from 600 to 200 on so called "financial grounds", when they have got our bleeding money, that has got peoples' backs up.
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They said on commentary today that the problem at Chelmsford is the narrow walkways..
Narrow walkways at Lord's too.
Think they'll be letting in more than 200.
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They have not got my money this year. I have got long pockets and short hands as far as the club are concerned.
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The answer to narrow walkways is a one way system.
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The answer to narrow walkways is a one way system.
Where there's a will...if it was T20 they'd be packing them in cheek by (unmasked) jowl!
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We don't even have the courtesy of an e-mail to inform us that we have not been successful in the ballot. Not much to ask for those of us like me who have paid out the best part of £400 not to see a ball bowled in 20 months.
Contacted the club and this was the reply
It is unlikely that you will be successful for Notts as you have secured a Warks ticket. Those already with tickets will be removed from the ballot until all Members have been successful.
Only successful Members will be informed, we will not be contacting those who have been unsuccessful.
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It's doubly annoying that the AGM seems not to be going to happen on Tuesday (else why have the accounts and reports not been sent out?) so the club can continue to hide away from criticism. There can't be any public health case for the 200 person limit for the CC so the club has to justify it in financial terms, and they have totally failed to do so. To lose goodwill over a situation where the public understands that there are many things you can't do much about, by doing s*d all about the things you can, is a pretty spectacular piece of bad management.
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I had an email informing me the ballot was tomorrow.
Come back Danny Macklin all is forgiven.
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It's doubly annoying that the AGM seems not to be going to happen on Tuesday (else why have the accounts and reports not been sent out?) so the club can continue to hide away from criticism. There can't be any public health case for the 200 person limit for the CC so the club has to justify it in financial terms, and they have totally failed to do so. To lose goodwill over a situation where the public understands that there are many things you can't do much about, by doing s*d all about the things you can, is a pretty spectacular piece of bad management.
Here in lies the issue for me. If the club just came out and publicly stated that due to the cost of doing so, they simply can't afford to allow anymore than 200 people in a day, spelled out the costs and explained the damage it would do to the club financially, then they'd get far more understanding and acceptance from members. A few groans as standard, but the vast majority would accept it.
Just be open and be honest. It screams lack of PR nous from the higher ups at the club.
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I had an email informing me the ballot was tomorrow.
Come back Danny Macklin all is forgiven.
He’s CEO at Leyton Orient now, so he probably won’t be back soon...
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At least in Danny's day the yearbook would be out by now. ;)
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I had an email informing me the ballot was tomorrow.
Come back Danny Macklin all is forgiven.
He’s CEO at Leyton Orient now, so he probably won’t be back soon...
If there was ever a case of being over promoted ...
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We don't even have the courtesy of an e-mail to inform us that we have not been successful in the ballot. Not much to ask for those of us like me who have paid out the best part of £400 not to see a ball bowled in 20 months.
Contacted the club and this was the reply
It is unlikely that you will be successful for Notts as you have secured a Warks ticket. Those already with tickets will be removed from the ballot until all Members have been successful.
Only successful Members will be informed, we will not be contacting those who have been unsuccessful.
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Just to add salt into the wounds, Surrey 2s are playing Hampshire 2s at New Malden next week and its open to anyone.
Interesting to see what happens at Garons the week after went Kent 2s visit, my guess is behind closed doors?
Surrey 2nds now behind closed doors. Something about protecting players??
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As usual customer service at it's best. How difficult can it be to send out a blanket e-mail to those who have steadfastly supported the club financially in the most difficult of times?
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As usual customer service at it's best. How difficult can it be to send out a blanket e-mail to those who have steadfastly supported the club financially in the most difficult of times?
Agreed - it's not very good is it?
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As Meteor Way is not available. As there are only 200, how about re allocating the Premier and Corporate spaces as these areas are closed. Also can the number of disabled spaces be re-allocated as there is now an over provision.
I doubt that anyone is capable of using their initiative to consider this.
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It's doubly annoying that the AGM seems not to be going to happen on Tuesday (else why have the accounts and reports not been sent out?) so the club can continue to hide away from criticism. There can't be any public health case for the 200 person limit for the CC so the club has to justify it in financial terms, and they have totally failed to do so. To lose goodwill over a situation where the public understands that there are many things you can't do much about, by doing s*d all about the things you can, is a pretty spectacular piece of bad management.
Here in lies the issue for me. If the club just came out and publicly stated that due to the cost of doing so, they simply can't afford to allow anymore than 200 people in a day, spelled out the costs and explained the damage it would do to the club financially, then they'd get far more understanding and acceptance from members. A few groans as standard, but the vast majority would accept it.
Just be open and be honest. It screams lack of PR nous from the higher ups at the club.
They won't come out and justify it because they can't.
The ECB and Sports Ground Safety Authority review of the ground under Covid-19 restrictions stated that up to 600 spectators could be allowed into the ground. Not 200 or 300 or 400 or 500.
We paid our membership for precisely such a scenario this summer to occur.
No smoke and mirrors from the committee can change that statement.
Believe me, if this happened in the Premier League, where rather than 10,000 spectators for the final home game, a club said they could only afford to open it for 3,400 spectators, there would more than just groans, and rightly so.
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As Meteor Way is not available. As there are only 200, how about re allocating the Premier and Corporate spaces as these areas are closed. Also can the number of disabled spaces be re-allocated as there is now an over provision.
I doubt that anyone is capable of using their initiative to consider this.
Someone who has got tickets in the ballot tells me he's been informed by the club that Meteor Way is available. Not that we should place much reliance on that....
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Yes - I'm sure the club said Meteor Way was going to be open.
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Heard nothing.As others have said very disappointing that the club cannot be bothered to even inform us that sadly we will miss out.Oh well,off to the Oval on Saturday then,my risk in paying 15 quid justified :)
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It's doubly annoying that the AGM seems not to be going to happen on Tuesday (else why have the accounts and reports not been sent out?) so the club can continue to hide away from criticism. There can't be any public health case for the 200 person limit for the CC so the club has to justify it in financial terms, and they have totally failed to do so. To lose goodwill over a situation where the public understands that there are many things you can't do much about, by doing s*d all about the things you can, is a pretty spectacular piece of bad management.
Here in lies the issue for me. If the club just came out and publicly stated that due to the cost of doing so, they simply can't afford to allow anymore than 200 people in a day, spelled out the costs and explained the damage it would do to the club financially, then they'd get far more understanding and acceptance from members. A few groans as standard, but the vast majority would accept it.
Just be open and be honest. It screams lack of PR nous from the higher ups at the club.
They won't come out and justify it because they can't.
The ECB and Sports Ground Safety Authority review of the ground under Covid-19 restrictions stated that up to 600 spectators could be allowed into the ground. Not 200 or 300 or 400 or 500.
We paid our membership for precisely such a scenario this summer to occur.
No smoke and mirrors from the committee can change that statement.
Believe me, if this happened in the Premier League, where rather than 10,000 spectators for the final home game, a club said they could only afford to open it for 3,400 spectators, there would more than just groans, and rightly so.
That's a far different situation and you know it. Premier League clubs are getting paid over 100 million quid a season through TV rights. They can afford to pay thousands of pounds for the stewarding etc needed to cater for a reduced capacity.
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It's doubly annoying that the AGM seems not to be going to happen on Tuesday (else why have the accounts and reports not been sent out?) so the club can continue to hide away from criticism. There can't be any public health case for the 200 person limit for the CC so the club has to justify it in financial terms, and they have totally failed to do so. To lose goodwill over a situation where the public understands that there are many things you can't do much about, by doing s*d all about the things you can, is a pretty spectacular piece of bad management.
Here in lies the issue for me. If the club just came out and publicly stated that due to the cost of doing so, they simply can't afford to allow anymore than 200 people in a day, spelled out the costs and explained the damage it would do to the club financially, then they'd get far more understanding and acceptance from members. A few groans as standard, but the vast majority would accept it.
Just be open and be honest. It screams lack of PR nous from the higher ups at the club.
They won't come out and justify it because they can't.
The ECB and Sports Ground Safety Authority review of the ground under Covid-19 restrictions stated that up to 600 spectators could be allowed into the ground. Not 200 or 300 or 400 or 500.
We paid our membership for precisely such a scenario this summer to occur.
No smoke and mirrors from the committee can change that statement.
Believe me, if this happened in the Premier League, where rather than 10,000 spectators for the final home game, a club said they could only afford to open it for 3,400 spectators, there would more than just groans, and rightly so.
That's a far different situation and you know it. Premier League clubs are getting paid over 100 million quid a season through TV rights. They can afford to pay thousands of pounds for the stewarding etc needed to cater for a reduced capacity.
Perhaps you could elaborate on what the "thousands of pounds" costs needed to cater for a reduced capacity are (over and above what it would normally cost for stewarding of an unlimited crowd). Thank you.
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Copied from The Grockles forum:
"Yep. Anyone going in the May17 to Jun21 period needs to be prepared.
You will get to sit in a seat, alone, but thats about it.
No mixing. No wandering. No socialising. No sitting with friends.
Get wet if it rains, no diving in shop or bars for cover.
Any rule breachs the covid police officers will be on hand to reprimand.
You may get to watch some cricket but none of the other side many go for. "
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It's doubly annoying that the AGM seems not to be going to happen on Tuesday (else why have the accounts and reports not been sent out?) so the club can continue to hide away from criticism. There can't be any public health case for the 200 person limit for the CC so the club has to justify it in financial terms, and they have totally failed to do so. To lose goodwill over a situation where the public understands that there are many things you can't do much about, by doing s*d all about the things you can, is a pretty spectacular piece of bad management.
Here in lies the issue for me. If the club just came out and publicly stated that due to the cost of doing so, they simply can't afford to allow anymore than 200 people in a day, spelled out the costs and explained the damage it would do to the club financially, then they'd get far more understanding and acceptance from members. A few groans as standard, but the vast majority would accept it.
Just be open and be honest. It screams lack of PR nous from the higher ups at the club.
They won't come out and justify it because they can't.
The ECB and Sports Ground Safety Authority review of the ground under Covid-19 restrictions stated that up to 600 spectators could be allowed into the ground. Not 200 or 300 or 400 or 500.
We paid our membership for precisely such a scenario this summer to occur.
No smoke and mirrors from the committee can change that statement.
Believe me, if this happened in the Premier League, where rather than 10,000 spectators for the final home game, a club said they could only afford to open it for 3,400 spectators, there would more than just groans, and rightly so.
That's a far different situation and you know it. Premier League clubs are getting paid over 100 million quid a season through TV rights. They can afford to pay thousands of pounds for the stewarding etc needed to cater for a reduced capacity.
Perhaps you could elaborate on what the "thousands of pounds" costs needed to cater for a reduced capacity are (over and above what it would normally cost for stewarding of an unlimited crowd). Thank you.
Don’t ask me, ask the club. They’ve said it not me.
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It's doubly annoying that the AGM seems not to be going to happen on Tuesday (else why have the accounts and reports not been sent out?) so the club can continue to hide away from criticism. There can't be any public health case for the 200 person limit for the CC so the club has to justify it in financial terms, and they have totally failed to do so. To lose goodwill over a situation where the public understands that there are many things you can't do much about, by doing s*d all about the things you can, is a pretty spectacular piece of bad management.
Here in lies the issue for me. If the club just came out and publicly stated that due to the cost of doing so, they simply can't afford to allow anymore than 200 people in a day, spelled out the costs and explained the damage it would do to the club financially, then they'd get far more understanding and acceptance from members. A few groans as standard, but the vast majority would accept it.
Just be open and be honest. It screams lack of PR nous from the higher ups at the club.
They won't come out and justify it because they can't.
The ECB and Sports Ground Safety Authority review of the ground under Covid-19 restrictions stated that up to 600 spectators could be allowed into the ground. Not 200 or 300 or 400 or 500.
We paid our membership for precisely such a scenario this summer to occur.
No smoke and mirrors from the committee can change that statement.
Believe me, if this happened in the Premier League, where rather than 10,000 spectators for the final home game, a club said they could only afford to open it for 3,400 spectators, there would more than just groans, and rightly so.
That's a far different situation and you know it. Premier League clubs are getting paid over 100 million quid a season through TV rights. They can afford to pay thousands of pounds for the stewarding etc needed to cater for a reduced capacity.
You're missing my point.
I am trying to emphasise the difference between the potential demographic of the two sets of supporters. It seems to me that the committee are assuming that our members are of an age where they would be too passive to protest about such a flagrant misuse of their powers.
If an increase from 200 to 600 members requires such an increase in costs to the club, then how about the committee paying it out of their salaries? No, they would rather deny 400 people their legal right to watch a product that they have paid for.
Scandalous doesn't even come close.
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All members are asking for is clarity to a product they paid for this season and last.
A simple email telling us that we have been unsuccessful would have been decent, after all they can bombard you with 20/20 adverts?
It also looks like the 200 per day will remain for Notts so based on last season, if this is so then, a further 3k members will fail to get a ticket for the game.
Also general public can obtain tickets for Northamptonshire v Lancashire on all 4 days and we are beginning to look totally out of kilter with everyone on the circuit.
You cannot tell me that NCCC are in a better financial state than us?
No communication about the AGM either, I presume its cancelled?
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Of course if the relocated for the season to Garons Park, then the open (and very fresh) air would be ideal. Joke.
Lanky are pushing their opening up to supporters now.
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Of course if the relocated for the season to Garons Park, then the open (and very fresh) air would be ideal. Joke.
Lanky are pushing their opening up to supporters now.
Using an out ground and bring your own seats was suggested at the members' forum some months ago and rejected on cost grounds.
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Have listened to the Chairman's interview with BBC Essex, and he keeps saying the Championship game this week is a 'test event'.
This is not true, he is just trying to cover up the truth. we are legally allowed 600, it's purely the clubs decision to only have 200.
ALL WE WANT IS SOME HONESTY
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Of course if the relocated for the season to Garons Park, then the open (and very fresh) air would be ideal. Joke.
Lanky are pushing their opening up to supporters now.
Using an out ground and bring your own seats was suggested at the members' forum some months ago and rejected on cost grounds.
It was me who suggested it, (for Colchester), as I could not imagine if you brought your own seat, it would cost them £15,000 a day. Northfield ruled it out without giving it any consideration, which seemed more a political decision (don't bring back outgrounds), than a practical one.
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The club really are their own worst enemy at times.
Count me in as another one decamping to the Oval this week.
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Of course if the relocated for the season to Garons Park, then the open (and very fresh) air would be ideal. Joke.
Using an out ground and bring your own seats was suggested at the members' forum some months ago and rejected on cost grounds.
It was me who suggested it, (for Colchester), as I could not imagine if you brought your own seat, it would cost them £15,000 a day. Northfield ruled it out without giving it any consideration, which seemed more a political decision (don't bring back outgrounds), than a practical one.
Perov. Your suggestion for Castle Park has merit but I think it'll only be used if/when the club finds itself a semi professional outfit in a second tier domestic league.
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At a slight tangent, my pal who was originally from Coggeshall but lives in Northumberland has purchased a third day ticket for the match at Chester le Street. He's not a member of either club (he teaches and he used to be an Essex member when there was championship and 40 over cricket in the school holidays) and said it was just like buying a ticket in normal times. The advantage of a large ground with lots of space, I guess. Just to let people on here know if they fancy making the trip.
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We are planning to go to the match at Chester-le-Street, weather permitting, and couldn't find anything on their website to say tickets were restricted to members only or even, in the bits that I read, about numbers attending championship matches. Of course, it is a huge ground and, if the numbers who used to attend championship matches when we were members up there, are still the same then social distancing is not a problem.
Lynda
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Kent have announced a capacity limit of 950 for their CC match this week. They don't seem to be differentiating between the CC and the T20 and admission is available on all 4 days. They have allocated priority in the ballot for tickets for the next match to Life Members and annual members who paid their subs for 2020 and didn't ask for refunds, and within that group have prioritised people who renewed for 2021 before the "early bird" deadline (similar to ours). Their website admits that things will be difficult re covered seating (not much of it) and parking (even less), and they do have a less cramped site than we do, but at least they seem to have tried to be welcoming and positive instead of the miserable "we'd much rather you just stayed at home" approach from our own beloved club.
PS Meteor Way is NOT open, according to the email I've just got. But at least the Sandon and Chelmer Valley Park and Ride bus services are now running again every halfhour.
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There are tickets open to the public for the Northants v Lancs match. Weather permitting I will go - first 'live' play since Taunton day 4 in 2019.
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"we'd much rather you just stayed at home" approach from our own beloved club.
To be fair winning in that ballot is looking like a booby prize. ;)
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If Meteor Way was open, it would lead to the commentators coming out with the Brian Johnson comment, there are more cars here than people.
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I'll be interested to know if we are the only ground scheduled to be closed on day 4? Wouldn't look good on the club if we are ?
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Chelmsford has a Park and Ride?
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Chelmsford has a Park and Ride?
Park and Hide.
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Just received my conditions for attending the Oval on Saturday.Go into ground when you want,only conditions seem to be that you wear a mask when walking around and socially distance in queues for food and drink.Welcome to bring your own food and drink in,and I bet bags wont be searched.Glad I did'nt get a ticket for Essex now :)Almost like a normal days cricket watching.
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Just received my conditions for attending the Oval on Saturday.Go into ground when you want,only conditions seem to be that you wear a mask when walking around and socially distance in queues for food and drink.Welcome to bring your own food and drink in,and I bet bags wont be searched.Glad I did'nt get a ticket for Essex now :)Almost like a normal days cricket watching.
Yep Essex seem to have lost their way in dealing with their supporters/members although there has always been a surly streak from some/many in the club. Has been my club/county for a very long time but I'm beginning to waiver.
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Yep Essex seem to have lost their way in dealing with their supporters/members although there has always been a surly streak from some/many in the club. Has been my club/county for a very long time but I'm beginning to waiver.
:o :o :o :o
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Just received my conditions for attending the Oval on Saturday.Go into ground when you want,only conditions seem to be that you wear a mask when walking around and socially distance in queues for food and drink.Welcome to bring your own food and drink in,and I bet bags wont be searched.Glad I did'nt get a ticket for Essex now :)Almost like a normal days cricket watching.
Yep Essex seem to have lost their way in dealing with their supporters/members although there has always been a surly streak from some/many in the club. Has been my club/county for a very long time but I'm beginning to waiver.
Do you know what Nat, you have struck a chord with me there. Like you I have been a supporter for many years, first game in 1966 and a member since 1978, but I feel betrayed by the club over this issue.
Suggest you watch the latest missive from the club on YouTube from Dan Feist - Ground Manager (no, me neither) wittering on about the return of fans to the ground, the special atmosphere blah blah, the measures taken to make the ground safe blah blah.
It could have come straight out of North Korea. Cover up.
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Off to the Oval today so I did have a chuckle about just receiving an email from the club saying ”The fans mean so much”
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Is that a variation on 'Your call is important to us'?
Lynda
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Is that a variation on 'Your call is important to us'?
Even less sincere I'd say.
Especially as it's accompanied.with a video of Tom Westley saying the club regularly attract 2,000 for a county game.
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Presumably, before play starts there will be a rousing chorus of 'where are you General?' As a middle aged Asian woman in a pink dress yells out how 'our magnificent Supreme Leader Westley' is going to lay waste to the 'decadent capitalist' Warwickshire attack and that there will be pies and hot bovril for everyone (unless comrade Browne has get there first)?
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Presumably, before play starts there will be a rousing chorus of 'where are you General?' As a middle aged Asian woman in a pink dress yells out how 'our magnificent Supreme Leader Westley' is going to lay waste to the 'decadent capitalist' Warwickshire attack and that there will be pies and hot bovril for everyone (unless comrade Browne has get there first)?
whaaaaat?
been on the wacky baccy?
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Presumably, before play starts there will be a rousing chorus of 'where are you General?' As a middle aged Asian woman in a pink dress yells out how 'our magnificent Supreme Leader Westley' is going to lay waste to the 'decadent capitalist' Warwickshire attack and that there will be pies and hot bovril for everyone (unless comrade Browne has get there first)?
WTF?
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They said on commentary today that the problem at Chelmsford is the narrow walkways. It is very hard to keep people safely distant. With the new rise in covid cases caution has to be the way for now however disappointing.
It seems from the video feed that for our 200 supporters granted access today only the most cramped bit with the narrowest gangways is being used. You couldn't make it up.
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It seems from the video feed that for our 200 supporters granted access today only the most cramped bit with the narrowest gangways is being used. You couldn't make it up.
Meanwhile at the Oval no bag checks & free score cards are the order of the day.
It's almost like they value your custom.
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It seems from the video feed that for our 200 supporters granted access today only the most cramped bit with the narrowest gangways is being used. You couldn't make it up.
Meanwhile at the Oval no bag checks & free score cards are the order of the day.
It's almost like they value your custom.
Grrrrr....my loyalty is being tested.
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John Farragher said on the on line service that he wanted 600 in the ground and was told that there were Health and Safety reasons. Why did he not show some backbone and tell the so called experts that they are talking rubbish.
The same goes for the Prime Minister.
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John Farragher said on the on line service that he wanted 600 in the ground and was told that there were Health and Safety reasons. Why did he not show some backbone and tell the so called experts that they are talking rubbish.
The same goes for the Prime Minister.
So why not write to members and say this? I think people would have been more understanding if the 200 was imposed on the club.
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John Farragher said on the on line service that he wanted 600 in the ground and was told that there were Health and Safety reasons. Why did he not show some backbone and tell the so called experts that they are talking rubbish.
The same goes for the Prime Minister.
Not true. In fact it was the other way round. The authorities said 600 was their recommendation. It was the club's decision to reduce this to 200 for financial reasons. I have this from the horse's mouth.
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He also said he hopes to have 600 in for the next match, ......but only on the first day.
The second and third days will go back to 200.
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He also said he hopes to have 600 in for the next match, ......but only on the first day.
The second and third days will go back to 200.
You're not serious?
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I didn’t hear the interview myself, but did anyone question whether our Chairman had “misspoke” in regards to who decided on the 200 figure?
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According to many postings on social media which I understand was fuelled by a Topley comment, that part of the 200 allowed in to watch the game saw approx 50 in corporate hospitality.
If this is correct then its shocking that members who have lost tickets to companies on a lash up.
I just wonder why Faragher can spout that the authorities granted 200 for the CC yet nothing changes and 600 are permitted for the 20/20.
One common denominator-money, sod the loyal members who have put monies into the club, no wonder the AGM was cancelled.
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He also said he hopes to have 600 in for the next match, ......but only on the first day.
The second and third days will go back to 200.
You're not serious?
That is exactly what he said.
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He also said he hopes to have 600 in for the next match, ......but only on the first day.
The second and third days will go back to 200.
You're not serious?
That is exactly what he said.
Did he justify why he would drop back the crowd on days 2 and 3? And if not, presumably the lackies in the commentary box did not have the nous to ask him?
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At least we have state of the art toilets for the chosen few.
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It sounded like the 600 in a Championship game would be trial run for the 600 they hope to have for the T/20.
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part of the 200 allowed in to watch the game saw approx 50 in corporate hospitality.
So by Tom Westley's mathematics that's circa 7.5% of the fans allowed in to today.
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Going to need more companies on the lash to subsidise entry for only 200 attendees, which equates to £75 ticket, with opening costs 15k a day, for financially prudent Essex.
More tea and coffee sir .
Unfortunately the club is playing the price for years of under development in the facilities in its ramshackled premises.
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In the best of times, the club struggled to fill the Corporate places. At one time if you wanted to be a Premier member, you were advised to check the position before applying as you might sit on a waiting list for a few years.
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In the best of times, the club struggled to fill the Corporate places. At one time if you wanted to be a Premier member, you were advised to check the position before applying as you might sit on a waiting list for a few years.
When I worked in the hospitality tents they seemed pretty full. Mind you that was before the mid 1990s slump on the field.
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In the best of times, the club struggled to fill the Corporate places. At one time if you wanted to be a Premier member, you were advised to check the position before applying as you might sit on a waiting list for a few years.
When I worked in the hospitality tents they seemed pretty full. Mind you that was before the mid 1990s slump on the field.
That ties in with at Southchurch Park bowling from the Northumberland Crescent end the tents one side used to extend from Deep Extra Cover to Wide Third Man. Over the years they retreated to at the end Deep Point.
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I may be wrong but I think the tax rules on corporate hospitality were tightened up. Peter Edwards and co were brilliant at filling up those boxes but no more. I too recall those tents at Southchurch Park.
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I may be wrong but I think the tax rules on corporate hospitality were tightened up. Peter Edwards and co were brilliant at filling up those boxes but no more. I too recall those tents at Southchurch Park.
You're probably right. Anyway the idea of corporate jollies has changed.
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Anyway the idea of corporate jollies has changed.
People don't get falling down drunk anymore?
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Today's Cricinfo report is rather odd - can't make up my mind if it is meant to prove a point - or if it's got some points!
(let's play spot the insults to the club)!
https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/county-championship-2021-1244186/essex-vs-warwickshire-group-1-1244266/match-report
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Today's Cricinfo report is rather odd - can't make up my mind if it is meant to prove a point - or if it's got some points!
(let's play spot the insults to the club)!
https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/county-championship-2021-1244186/essex-vs-warwickshire-group-1-1244266/match-report
Wow the reporter was not a happy bunny. Many a truth....
The club has certainly lost its way off the field. I'm suspecting some internal wrangling over how best to move the club forward. Hence the departure of Mr Bowden (not missed by me) and the confused/antagonistic match day arrangements.
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We really do need some evidence based facts here, everything coming out of the club has a huge smell of bull****.
I'll back the club to the end of the earth but they're dealing with a relatively smart support community and something is wrong in all this. Sure the ground is tight but is it really that much worse than Derby? Who has insisted this must be a test event? No other club across football, cricket, rugby has had to been told to have a test event at 25% of 25% but we are expected to trust this has been inflicted from outside.. if the club has got this wrong, no worries.... tough times; but be big enough to be honest or show us a document from a health and safety body.
Oh and have the decency to send a mail to those who are unsuccessful in the ballot.
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Is there any truth in the rumour that in 2022 members will have an option of paying their membership but rather than being able to see any cricket, they can have a new floodlight named after them?
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Who will be the 2022 members? They can go back to publishing names and addresses in the Yearbook.
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The chairman seemed intent on Thursday in getting his retaliation in first, as Bill Shankly would have said-both in going round the ground talking to members and in what he apparently said on the radio/live stream. In other words the problems were all imposed on the club by the ECB/PHE and local authority. I agree that he needs to produce chapter and verse to demonstrate this. It was his decision to impose a 200 limit for the CC, and he also needs to demonstrate exactly how it would have cost £20K extra a day to have 600 instead. But he doesn't seem keen on letting anyone see exactly what is going on at the club, any more than he is keen on having an AGM, producing accounts or appointing a new CEO. This is the way bad governance develops in any organisation.
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The chairman seemed intent on Thursday in getting his retaliation in first, as Bill Shankly would have said-both in going round the ground talking to members and in what he apparently said on the radio/live stream. In other words the problems were all imposed on the club by the ECB/PHE and local authority. I agree that he needs to produce chapter and verse to demonstrate this. It was his decision to impose a 200 limit for the CC, and he also needs to demonstrate exactly how it would have cost £20K extra a day to have 600 instead. But he doesn't seem keen on letting anyone see exactly what is going on at the club, any more than he is keen on having an AGM, producing accounts or appointing a new CEO. This is the way bad governance develops in any organisation.
Agree with all of that Postman. However even if it was going to cost an extra £20k a day, then the club should be prepared to write that off as a gesture to the financial support they have received from members over the last two seasons for (as of May 19), a return of zilch.
Just to demonstrate the thoughtlessness of the club towards its loyal members, I drove to the County Ground last July/August to purchase a 2020 yearbook. I was still charged £3 for the pleasure of this; surely as a goodwill gesture members could have received a free yearbook last season?
The whole situation just leaves a bad taste in the mouth.
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Anyway the idea of corporate jollies has changed.
People don't get falling down drunk anymore?
Not unless it involves climbing a mountain to help ‘team building’.
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Anyway the idea of corporate jollies has changed.
People don't get falling down drunk anymore?
Not unless it involves climbing a mountain to help ‘team building’.
The very mention of ‘team building' sends a shudder through my bowels.
Egg and spoon races in the office. Three-line whip to get the whole team out to a karaoke night. Team "it's a knockout". Team golf - whether you can (or want to) play or not. Getting across a seven-foot river with two 3 foot planks. Compulsory group hugs. Monday morning 9AM brainteasers session
And those were some of the better ones.
Makes me SOOOOO glad I'm retired.
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At least the compulsory hugs are a thing of the past. Unfortunately.
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As one who was lucky (?) enough to win a booby prize for Saturdays play here’s my feedback for anyone interested.
Firstly unlike the poor souls who got Fridays prize at least we saw some play despite the best efforts of the umpires to make it otherwise.
If you are concerned about COVID I would say the experience was significantly safer than shopping in primark. You are given a timed arrival slot based on your seat which will disappoint those used to turning up three hours before the start of play. But then again there is no need to reserve your seat with bags and cushions as you have an allocated seat which you can’t leave on pain of death. Plus you can’t nip back into town for a spot of breakfast as that is not allowed either.
Contrary to rumour you only have to wear a mask for the few occasions you are allowed to leave your seat - toilet breaks and getting a drink from one of the two food outlets.
All credit to the chairman who made a point of talking to every group of members. Quizzed on the attendance policy his stance was that he is not the bad guy and wants as many allowed in as possible but is restricted by the lack of common sense of the council whose health and safety officer appears to be a thirteen year old.
For me the most puzzling thing was the number of members attending. I counted them and there were about seventy five , which means either many had chosen not to collect their prize or the 200 limit includes some freeloaders and the security staff.
At the end of play you were supposed to have a timed departure slot based on your seat block but there were only about ten of us left so they didn’t bother.
In summary though it was just nice to see some cricket. Although a day at a county game is not the same without the background sound of middle aged men discussing non league football or the time of the last bus back to Witham.
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In summary though it was just nice to see some cricket. Although a day at a county game is not the same without the background sound of middle aged men discussing non league football or the time of the last bus back to Witham.
Quite. Glad you enjoyed it! I guess it was better than going shopping with the missus.... or was it?!
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I've just got back from Lingfield races. About 1500 there I would guess. Apart from wearing face covers to get in many people were not really bothering in the inside aress, especially as the beer flowed. Not a lot of social distancinh either and little sign of non cash betting.I'm off to London rugby league tomorrow. No problem getting tickets for either event.
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Sounds like Chelmsford Council have got a right jobsworth who is also responsible for the bag search policy too.
Do we know who is this person? Can we give them some 'publicity'?
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No doubt when the public enquiry is held next year. That will be time to comment about the actions of Chelmsford Council.
Regarding the lack of conversation. I have not paid my 2021 membership and may write this season off. I have thought that next season we will be entering a honeymoon period as far as behaviour is concerned, which may last for a few years.
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No doubt when the public enquiry is held next year. That will be time to comment about the actions of Chelmsford Council.
Regarding the lack of conversation. I have not paid my 2021 membership and may write this season off. I have thought that next season we will be entering a honeymoon period as far as behaviour is concerned, which may last for a few years.
I still haven't got over the bog the Council made of the access to he River gate.Is it better now?
I rather wish, too, I hadn't paid for this year. Just hoping that things will get better after June, although, sadly I'm not very optimistic.
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As one who was lucky (?) enough to win a booby prize for Saturdays play here’s my feedback for anyone interested.
Firstly unlike the poor souls who got Fridays prize at least we saw some play despite the best efforts of the umpires to make it otherwise.
If you are concerned about COVID I would say the experience was significantly safer than shopping in primark. You are given a timed arrival slot based on your seat which will disappoint those used to turning up three hours before the start of play. But then again there is no need to reserve your seat with bags and cushions as you have an allocated seat which you can’t leave on pain of death. Plus you can’t nip back into town for a spot of breakfast as that is not allowed either.
Contrary to rumour you only have to wear a mask for the few occasions you are allowed to leave your seat - toilet breaks and getting a drink from one of the two food outlets.
All credit to the chairman who made a point of talking to every group of members. Quizzed on the attendance policy his stance was that he is not the bad guy and wants as many allowed in as possible but is restricted by the lack of common sense of the council whose health and safety officer appears to be a thirteen year old.
For me the most puzzling thing was the number of members attending. I counted them and there were about seventy five , which means either many had chosen not to collect their prize or the 200 limit includes some freeloaders and the security staff.
At the end of play you were supposed to have a timed departure slot based on your seat block but there were only about ten of us left so they didn’t bother.
In summary though it was just nice to see some cricket. Although a day at a county game is not the same without the background sound of middle aged men discussing non league football or the time of the last bus back to Witham.
Thank you for sharing your experience with us.
However, let's be very clear about one thing.
After the ECB and Sports Ground Safety Authority review, the amount the club could admit under stage 3 guidance was 600.
Presumably it was the SGSA and/or Essex County Council who evaluated the requirements for stewarding, medical and safety needs etc, and based upon this, the club decided to use only the south end of the ground to cut overheads. Based on this decision by the club, this meant a reduction in the crowd capacity to 200.
So it is not correct to make the council a scapegoat for this.
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Stewyww is the council report anywhere online?
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To put this in context, as I understand it the ECB and their team assessed the ground AND the council also has input.
When John was talking to the members he seemed to be more angry about the Council, although he didn't seem too keen on the ECb lot either
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To put this in context, as I understand it the ECB and their team assessed the ground AND the council also has input.
When John was talking to the members he seemed to be more angry about the Council, although he didn't seem too keen on the ECb lot either
He might be angry, but at the end of the day he had the mandate to authorise a capacity of 600 members a day and he chose not to. Perhaps he doesn't realise how angry a number of the members are.
In fact, not only angry, but betrayed, stitched up and badly let down by a club which personally I have supported for 55 years.
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Stewyww is the council report anywhere online?
Andy, I haven't looked for it but presumably it should be in the public domain.
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A lovely day at The Oval yesterday.Turn up when you want,you could leave the ground and return if you wanted to.No bag search,just very friendly helpful stewards.Free Scorecard.I know it is a bigger ground but nobody was bothered if you sat in your allocated seat,and I moved round in the afternoon to follow the rare instances of the sun.Only had to wear your mask wandering around the concourse,which is quite tight in some areas but nobody seemed to be worried.Great days cricket,and it felt very much like normal apart from wearing the mask.So glad I did not get a ticket in the ballot!!
How can things be so different??Hard to gauge crowd,but 3-4000 I reckon.It was so nice to be back watching live cricket.
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A lovely day at The Oval yesterday.Turn up when you want,you could leave the ground and return if you wanted to.No bag search,just very friendly helpful stewards.Free Scorecard.I know it is a bigger ground but nobody was bothered if you sat in your allocated seat,and I moved round in the afternoon to follow the rare instances of the sun.Only had to wear your mask wandering around the concourse,which is quite tight in some areas but nobody seemed to be worried.Great days cricket,and it felt very much like normal apart from wearing the mask.So glad I did not get a ticket in the ballot!!
How can things be so different??Hard to gauge crowd,but 3-4000 I reckon.It was so nice to be back watching live cricket.
Surrey seem to be doing a lot things right concerning customer service. Essex on the other hand...
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In response to the post by Markwhy
I had a 'freebie' (using one of the many guest vouchers members receive) at the Oval on Thursday and I completely agree with his comments. Everywhere and everyone very relaxed. It was the most 'normal' I have felt since it all began in March 2020. A very uplifting day despite seeing about only an hours play.
It appears that in Stage 3, watching at the Oval is a massive contrast to elsewhere
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Sees that Surrey aren't the only county to give people a much better experience than Essex-here is Paul Edwards on Cricinfo about Gloucs v Somerset at Bristol-
"But a very wet game did produce one undisputed victor: Gloucestershire have not just accommodated spectators on these extraordinary days; they have made them welcome and that warmth has extended to the media and the rest of cricket's caravan. Any necessary regulation has been light touch and enforced with the greatest good humour. As much as the spectators who turned up to watch the match, the Gloucestershire staff who made it possible for them to do so are a credit to the game."
Sounds like a different world...
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As for the Warwickshire game, we didn’t miss much after all. Pity the poor souls that actually had the misfortune to get in.
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Having travelled extensively throughout the country following Essex away throughout the years, this sort of service is normal with other counties.
Unfortunately, for the past 10 years our county has given members and supporters third rate customer service, all of which has been heavily exposed this season.
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Question to those attendees of the last home game against Warwickshire .
What happens if you missed your allocated entrance time slot ?
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There does seem to be a lot of inconsistency about, presumably driven by local government. Some football clubs aren't allowed standing fans, but I've got terrace tickets for a game on Saturday. I had an unallocated set of seats for London rugby league on Sunday with no problems and me and the lad are off racing next week at Brighton - no problem getting a ticket. And there's the danger - there are other things one can do. I'm a life member so maybe am not as angry as some who have paid annual subscriptions but I reaĺly could do with knowing if I am going to the next home game - Mrs Slogger wants to go to Norfolk to visit a heritage site and she can't book it until Essex tell people if they have a ticket!
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Slogger - I was told we would know by Mon 31st if we have a ticket.
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Thanks 548! Anyway at least the forecast for Saturday at Chester le Street looks good when my pal in the north east will be in attendance. In more normal days he would have ventured south for a couple of days of the Notts game.
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Very flat, Norfolk.
Very wet Manchester.
The sun comes out in the morning.
Essex are 24-3.
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I see it is 600 for Day 1 of the Notts game, and 200 for each of Days 2 and 3.
I didn't realise we had epidemiologists on our committee, who have assessed that Covid-19 is significantly more transmissible on a Friday or Saturday than it is on a Thursday.
Perhaps they should pass their revelationary research onto Messrs Whitty and Vallance at SAGE.
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Confirmation of ballot success will be by email on Thurs 27th and unsuccessfully applications to be informed on Fri 28th .
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I see it is 600 for Day 1 of the Notts game, and 200 for each of Days 2 and 3.
I didn't realise we had epidemiologists on our committee, who have assessed that Covid-19 is significantly more transmissible on a Friday or Saturday than it is on a Thursday.
Perhaps they should pass their revelationary research onto Messrs Whitty and Vallance at SAGE.
They're the same epidemiologists who advised Boris that the virus took Xmas off (but not Easter).
It will be interesting to see how many stewards they have for a 600 crowd. Based on the ratio for the Warwickshire match there should be about 50 of them! Seriously though, if there are only the same number, it will blow a bit of a hole in the chairman's £20K a day arithmetic.
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As per usual the county looked to have cocked this second ballot up with 2 members boasting of having been allocated tickets for 3 days.
I like the majority have heard nothing, so looks like another blank.
I can however get tickets at other venues as they are readily available and £5 cheaper than ours were for the paying public, 2 years ago.
You know it could only be Essex!
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Question to those attendees of the last home game against Warwickshire .
What happens if you missed your allocated entrance time slot ?
I’ve no idea as like a good boy I did as I was told. But I suspect that they would have probably let you wait until everybody was seated and then go in. I think the general idea was to let the far blocks fill up first to minimise people passing on the concourse. All a bit of a nonsense really as you had to cross paths at the food outlets and conveniences and with such low numbers it’s was not a problem. As per my earlier post I would like to know what makes up the 200 allowance as there couldn’t have been more than 75 of us at in the members areas.
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I got the impression from the BBC Essex commentary that there were quite a few no shows because of the weather.
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Understandable in no shows due to the inclement weather, but did emails sent out not give any option in returning if successful in the ballot, but due to other circumstances were since application unable to attend.
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Just got a ticket for day 2 of Notts game ... anyone else heard?
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As per usual the county looked to have cocked this second ballot up with 2 members Committee officials boasting of having been allocated tickets for 3 days.
Corrected for you 😁
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No bag checks & free scorecards are the order of the day at Hove too.
The electronic scoreboard isn't working properly & there's been a batting collapse so there are some similarities with Essex.
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No bag checks & free scorecards are the order of the day at Hove too.
The electronic scoreboard isn't working properly & there's been a batting collapse so there are some similarities with Essex.
You get about. You're not one of the umpires are you?
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Chelmsford is the ONLY ground where my bag has ever been checked - nothing at any other county or outground.
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You obviously have never been to Headingley! It is the bane of going there that the bag searches take so long. A couple of years ago they insisted on tying a tag onto each bag to prove that it was searched. One steward was deployed to do this and struggled with the tying mechanism. It was a complete farce and fortunately only lasted one day. I still have my tag as proof. They also tried to stop people leaving bags unattended on seats but again that proved unenforceable.
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Ticket for the third day v Notts. Delighted
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You get about. You're not one of the umpires are you?
Not sure my knees could hack standing up for that length of time.
I'm in Sussex by the Sea for a few days so decided to take in some cricket.
Hove is looking nice these days.
No deckchairs though which is a shame.
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You can leave the Hove ground at lunchtime and return another plus.
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It is grim at Hove though - who'd want to go back? One of my least favourite grounds - not helped by them selling me mouldy food.
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It is grim at Hove though - who'd want to go back?
Admittedly it used to be shabby but the new stand is really nice.
Wish we could have something like that at the Fortress.
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Timeline for the week .
Weds 26th
Received email from club stating applicants will be inform Thurs if success or unsuccessful on Fri for Notts fixture.
Thursday 27th
Received email from club AM ( ! ). However was match pack for start of today’s game at Durham.
Received email from club PM. ( ! ). However was to inform that I was unsuccessful .
Friday 28th.
Will probably receive email from club for Blast / ballot applications !
Congrats to all successful, but timing from PR department of the club is totally ….DELETE /UNQUOTE
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At least we did get some information about the ballot this time ...
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At least we did get some information about the ballot this time ...
I got emails telling me I was both successful & unsuccessful in the ballot :o
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Is Meteor Way open for the Thurs ?
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I will not be attending the RLC cup game on Sunday even as a non member. I will be somewhere else, a place that asked for the double vaccination document from the NHS to be e mailed to them. This was doe and is ok. Have a system of wrist bands to show how much contact you would wish. Masks are voluntary and contactless is preferred but cash will be accepted and please have the right money.