Essex Eagles at the Olympic Stadium?

[Daren Mootoo]

 On Facebook yesterday, Ronnie Irani posted pictures of himself and Graham Gooch on the pitch at The Olympic Stadium in Stratford, where they were apparently meeting with Newham Council. Will the dream of holding T20 matches in East London now be stepping closer to reality, given the redevelopment at Chelmsford is now on hold?

[Perov]

Well Goochie likes the showers tiled in West Ham colours. so I guess there is a good chance.

[IlfordEagle]

I would guess that if Essex can get T20 at Stratford then 2017 would be a likely start date, 2 per season should be enough with Kent,Middlesex & Sorry coming on a rota base so that visiting fans can also travel easily, assuming we are still a reasonable T20 side - cue sarcy comments from other posters, then crowds of 20k could be possible.

[Slogger]

If you got the pricing right I'm sure you'd get comparable crowds to those that go to The Oval. I'd say this is a good move.

[Daren Mootoo]

I think it could be a very smart way to boost the coffers and tap vital new areas of suppport (City/East London communities).

[afinetickletoleg]

I think it could be a very smart way to boost the coffers and tap vital new areas of suppport (City/East London communities).

Exactly. I got in to cricket by going to Leyton and Ilford when I was young, starting with JPL and moving on to Championship games. There are a lot of kids that play in the area that will find getting to Stratford easier than Chelmsford.

[sufcessex]

I can't wait for us to play there as i have yet to experience the olympic stadium.  I think, as others as said, if the club get this right with good pricing and dates for the games you could well get over 10k for certain games.

[Daren Mootoo]

Amid the recent news of the ECB exploring the possibility of a new franchised T20 tournament to be played in block at the height of the summer, Paul Newman reports in the Daily Mail,"Essex have already had talks with Newham Council over playing Twenty20 matches at West Ham's new home but are in danger of being usurped if the ECB see it as a venue for a London team."

[nat]

Amid the recent news of the ECB exploring the possibility of a new franchised T20 tournament to be played in block at the height of the summer, Paul Newman reports in the Daily Mail,"Essex have already had talks with Newham Council over playing Twenty20 matches at West Ham's new home but are in danger of being usurped if the ECB see it as a venue for a London team."

OK as long as the team is called the London Hammers.

[mawallace]

Interesting article here -

http://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/youngreporter/15119016.Essex_Cricket_at_the_Olympic_Stadium______George_Lanigan__St_George___s_College__Weybridge/

Claims that

Having contacted Essex Cricket regarding the proposal, it became apparent that the discussions have currently reached an impasse, and that the issue has become “sensitive”,

[squarelegumpire]

Interesting article here -

http://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/youngreporter/15119016.Essex_Cricket_at_the_Olympic_Stadium______George_Lanigan__St_George___s_College__Weybridge/

Claims that

Having contacted Essex Cricket regarding the proposal, it became apparent that the discussions have currently reached an impasse, and that the issue has become “sensitive”,

Good spot.
'Watch this space' is, I think, what we have to do. And raise the matter at the AGM.

Although whether there'll actually be an answer ......

[jimmy]

Interesting article here -

http://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/youngreporter/15119016.Essex_Cricket_at_the_Olympic_Stadium______George_Lanigan__St_George___s_College__Weybridge/

Claims that

Having contacted Essex Cricket regarding the proposal, it became apparent that the discussions have currently reached an impasse, and that the issue has become “sensitive”,

Doesn't all this sound depressingly familiar. Grandiose scheme that stalls, goes quiet then disappears in a fog of evasion and confusion.
Good spot.
'Watch this space' is, I think, what we have to do. And raise the matter at the AGM.

Although whether there'll actually be an answer ......

[squarelegumpire]

At the AGM it was suggested that any ‘progress’ was extremely slow indeed.

[jwb]

Report today that we are optimistic about playing a game next season as a trial run for the 2019 World Cup fixtures being played there. Also to see if it is suitable for the franchise thing. Nothing to do with any sweetheart deal I wouldn't have thought though.

[mawallace]

Is it this report?
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/essex-set-to-play-t20-at-london-stadium-tcrzq2b0p

can someone let us know what it says?