The club had no choice but to side with the players. Lose Cook, Harmer, Lawrence etc and its bye bye Essex as a competitive force for another 20 years by which time we won't even exist as a full-time professional sports club. I'm sure they do like a drink considering the average age of the dressing room, but it's worth it to have them on our team rather than Surrey/Hampshire etc.
Shame for Ronnie, but he's the collateral damage.
I find it odd the sour grapes on here for Ronnie, he has driven the most successful period of recent times and I'm concerned at his departure but agree if the likes of Cook, Lawrence and Harmer are concerned he had to go. I have reason to believe and first hand experience that large parts of the group do have a drinking culture, but no sure its any worse than other clubs or players of that age range.
I wonder if the perpetual selection of Buttleman/Pepper and non selection of Khushi (until now)/Chopra that many of us found inexplicable had anything to do with these rumours.
Ronnie shook things up and greater judges than us such as Dobell have tipped their hats to the good he did us, so its a worry, but i trust McGrath and Cook not to get complacent and allow poor practices to creep back, although i'm not sure i trust the current captain. i would feel more confident if SH was given the role in all formats.
