Essex Outfielder : The Unofficial Essex CCC Forum

Cricket => Official Q&A => Topic started by: Blocky on November 27, 2018, 11:11:09 AM

Title: 2019 fixtures - Does not give any value to working members
Post by: Blocky on November 27, 2018, 11:11:09 AM
ECCC, please review the current membership structure. 3 weekend days cricket in 2019.  why would I pay £179 for that?

surely a working membership with a pay per visit fee would at least offer the chance to keep some revenue incoming?
Title: Re: 2019 fixtures - Does not give any value to working members
Post by: Graham93 on November 29, 2018, 10:25:35 PM
Once again the fixtures are a joke. No home championship  game from 7th July till 10th September so that any children that could be encouraged to watch during the school holidays will be unable to do so. It's no good saying they have the vitality Blast because it's not the same atmosphere. When I was young we used to enjoy playing on the surrounding area during lunch and tea and that cannot happen at most of the shorter format. We also have a gap from 14th May start until 27th May but play in early April. Heaven help us when the 100 ball game comes in.
Title: Re: 2019 fixtures - Does not give any value to working members
Post by: Perov on December 01, 2018, 07:25:08 AM
Sunday cricket almost non existent.
Members and the public like Sunday's, but it seems the Committee prefer the hospitality cash they can generate from week day fixtures. The prawn and wine brigade will only attend in work time, not in their own time at weekends.
The Commitee could push for Sunday play, but no longer put members first.
So much for being a Members Club.
Title: Re: 2019 fixtures - Does not give any value to working members
Post by: Andy on December 01, 2018, 10:55:01 AM
Sunday cricket almost non existent.
Members and the public like Sunday's, but it seems the Committee prefer the hospitality cash they can generate from week day fixtures. The prawn and wine brigade will only attend in work time, not in their own time at weekends.
The Commitee could push for Sunday play, but no longer put members first.
So much for being a Members Club.

When I worked in the hospitality tents and boxes there were plenty of attendees just there for the Pimms and lager whilst brown nosing the boss, even on Sundays. However there would be a guy with his son who were actually there for the cricket. Guess who I served first and who got coffee spilled over them...
Title: Re: 2019 fixtures - Does not give any value to working members
Post by: nat on December 01, 2018, 11:12:43 AM
Sunday cricket almost non existent.
Members and the public like Sunday's, but it seems the Committee prefer the hospitality cash they can generate from week day fixtures. The prawn and wine brigade will only attend in work time, not in their own time at weekends.
The Commitee could push for Sunday play, but no longer put members first.
So much for being a Members Club.

When I worked in the hospitality tents and boxes there were plenty of attendees just there for the Pimms and lager whilst brown nosing the boss, even on Sundays. However there would be a guy with his son who were actually there for the cricket. Guess who I served first and who got coffee spilled over them...

Can't help feeling that they could fill the hospitality boxes/tents even at the weekend if they reduced the prices. Maybe not corporate customers but private hire. However this is a problem with (corporate) hospitality in general.
Title: Re: 2019 fixtures - Does not give any value to working members
Post by: vim on December 01, 2018, 01:40:35 PM
I always thought that when they announced the corporate guests and it included a birthday party, things were not going great as regards bookings.

Title: Re: 2019 fixtures - Does not give any value to working members
Post by: Postman on December 01, 2018, 03:28:57 PM
I always thought that when they announced the corporate guests and it included a birthday party, things were not going great as regards bookings.
Corporate hostility (sorry Freudian slip there) has had its day. I was watching the Youtube video of the unforgettable NatWest cup tie v Lancashire in 1992 the other day and was shocked to see there were hospitality marquees right along the HCE as well as next to the Pavilion, all well filled-I'd forgotten how much hospitality there used to be. I doubt if you'd sell anything like that much now. I get the impression that companies are not spending as much money on entertainment or they are looking for something more novel if they are. Personally I used to hate it, either as a host or a guest, unless I was lucky enough to find a few others who genuinely wanted to watch the cricket.
Title: Re: 2019 fixtures - Does not give any value to working members
Post by: nat on December 01, 2018, 03:55:02 PM
The new anti-corruption guidelines have affected much of the corporate hospitality industry. Even more reason to be creative in marketing the packages....much like they do for the T20 jamboree.
Title: Re: 2019 fixtures - Does not give any value to working members
Post by: Slogger on December 01, 2018, 03:56:01 PM
My understanding is that the tax position on corporate hospitality changed and as a consequence it has declined.  I might be wrong about that- a mate of mine told me.
Title: Re: 2019 fixtures - Does not give any value to working members
Post by: Andy on December 01, 2018, 05:13:53 PM
The new anti-corruption guidelines have affected much of the corporate hospitality industry. Even more reason to be creative in marketing the packages....much like they do for the T20 jamboree.

That would explain why Marcus Evans sold all our best players in the recent transfer window...
Title: Re: 2019 fixtures - Does not give any value to working members
Post by: neil on December 01, 2018, 06:04:03 PM
The new anti-corruption guidelines have affected much of the corporate hospitality industry. Even more reason to be creative in marketing the packages....much like they do for the T20 jamboree.

That would explain why Marcus Evans sold all our best players in the recent transfer window...

Ipswich had "best" players

@whoknew!

 8) 8)
Title: Re: 2019 fixtures - Does not give any value to working members
Post by: essexfan548 on December 01, 2018, 08:08:25 PM
I am sorry for working members who can't take time off when they want.

However when I became a Life member I knew I would never use my membership enough to get value for money. I just wanted to show my support for the club. I haven't lived in Essex since 1975 so every match I attend costs a significant amount.
Title: Re: 2019 fixtures - Does not give any value to working members
Post by: squarelegumpire on December 01, 2018, 08:19:23 PM
I always thought that when they announced the corporate guests and it included a birthday party, things were not going great as regards bookings.

Back in May I had my 80th birthday party in one of the hospitality suites and very good it was. (see Club Admin, a couple of threads back.) Really well looked after. Now looking forward to my 90th!

Don't remember it being 'announced', though, but I'd had a few glasses during the morning so it might have passed me by. Photos with past & present England captains.

More seriously, there were a couple of empty boxes.
Title: Re: 2019 fixtures - Does not give any value to working members
Post by: Andy on December 01, 2018, 10:11:32 PM
The new anti-corruption guidelines have affected much of the corporate hospitality industry. Even

That would explain why Marcus Evans sold all our best players in the recent transfer window...

Ipswich had "best" players
@whoknew!

 8) 8)

Oi!

Best of a poor bunch.
Title: Re: 2019 fixtures - Does not give any value to working members
Post by: Blocky on December 04, 2018, 12:39:09 PM
of the 10 lads that are still working that drink in the OT, none, Zero, are renewing.
Title: Re: 2019 fixtures - Does not give any value to working members
Post by: smandlej on December 04, 2018, 02:09:56 PM
Is this the time to re-instate Country Membership?  We made an enquiry last year, but the reply said Essex doesn't do Country Membership.  Or maybe they could introduce a limited membership: X days cricket a year - scanning the membership card when you went in would allow the steward to tell you how many more days you have available after that day.  That would suit both working members, who only have a limited number of days they can attend, and country members, who are only likely to attend the odd match when it's near where they live.  The counties really need to think pro-actively.

Lynda and Steve
Title: Re: 2019 fixtures - Does not give any value to working members
Post by: Slogger on December 04, 2018, 03:16:00 PM
I think there should be some form of tiered membership. A few counties do this so you can buy membership for discreet competitions, such as T20 only, all white ball games, championship matches and any combination. Maybe buying 10 days county championship cricket for, say, £100 would an answer?

It wasn't that long ago that members got 8 four day games, a tourist fixture, 8 40 0ver games and two group stage fixtures in the B and H cup (I know you can go back 40 years and there was even more) so there clearly has been an erosion of days to watch.
Title: Re: 2019 fixtures - Does not give any value to working members
Post by: essexfan548 on December 04, 2018, 05:41:16 PM
Is this the time to re-instate Country Membership?  We made an enquiry last year, but the reply said Essex doesn't do Country Membership.  Or maybe they could introduce a limited membership: X days cricket a year - scanning the membership card when you went in would allow the steward to tell you how many more days you have available after that day.  That would suit both working members, who only have a limited number of days they can attend, and country members, who are only likely to attend the odd match when it's near where they live.  The counties really need to think pro-actively.

Lynda and Steve

Did Essex ever offer this? I asked a number of times and been told 'no' so eventually became a Life Member.
Title: Re: 2019 fixtures - Does not give any value to working members
Post by: smandlej on December 04, 2018, 06:44:47 PM
Lynda had a vague feeling they did, or maybe it was Glamorgan as she was a member there at the same time.  Certainly some counties did and may do to this day.

Lynda and Steve
Title: Re: 2019 fixtures - Does not give any value to working members
Post by: essexfan548 on December 04, 2018, 08:43:31 PM
Lynda had a vague feeling they did, or maybe it was Glamorgan as she was a member there at the same time.  Certainly some counties did and may do to this day.

Lynda and Steve

Yes I know Sussex did and when I lived in Hastings I was far enough away from Hove to be able to become a country member but didn't want to. Instead I was able to use the tickets the club I scored for had and then wave my Essex membership once in the ground. Northants also did offer this but I've not know Essex to. Anyone confirm this?
Title: Re: 2019 fixtures - Does not give any value to working members
Post by: Blocky on December 06, 2018, 08:16:39 AM
I think there should be some form of tiered membership. A few counties do this so you can buy membership for discreet competitions, such as T20 only, all white ball games, championship matches and any combination. Maybe buying 10 days county championship cricket for, say, £100 would an answer?

It wasn't that long ago that members got 8 four day games, a tourist fixture, 8 40 0ver games and two group stage fixtures in the B and H cup (I know you can go back 40 years and there was even more) so there clearly has been an erosion of days to watch.

I've had a chat with some folks on the committee and this is likely to be an option, but not this year as it stands.  It would however, be a "season ticket" and not a membership. Nil voting rights etc....