Essex Outfielder : The Unofficial Essex CCC Forum

Club Administration => Club Administration => Topic started by: pablo on April 10, 2022, 02:02:48 PM

Title: AGM
Post by: pablo on April 10, 2022, 02:02:48 PM
There seems to be an odd silence about when the AGM will be and why legally it hasn't been held already. Anybody any ideas/insights? What is John Faragher's status within the club? Is he still on the committee or not? I know he resigned or was forced to resign as Chairman but surely only the members can can deselect those whom they have voted for. Why are people who have not been elected by the members holding senior positions on the committee - and by that I don't mean ex officio members from the playing and coaching staff.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: nat on April 10, 2022, 02:27:12 PM
all good questions. Suggest you ask the CEO.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: vim on April 10, 2022, 05:00:16 PM
Any AGM will have to await the publication of the report into the alleged John Farragher incident on the 20th.

I got to hear a lot over three days. All I can say is watch this space.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: mawallace on April 10, 2022, 06:03:41 PM
Rule 10.6 says "The Committee shall not less than once a year appoint from among its number a Chairman and Deputy-Chairman and Treasurer."

Rule 13.1 says "The Annual General Meeting of the Club shall be held not later than 31st May in every year" - so we have time before we have to have one.  they only have to give 14 days notice - so they can wait until middle May before calling one.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: Andy on April 10, 2022, 07:44:42 PM
Any AGM will have to await the publication of the report into the alleged John Farragher incident on the 20th.

I got to hear a lot over three days. All I can say is watch this space.

It’s not going to drag on or drag the club down?
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: vim on April 10, 2022, 07:55:36 PM
From what I heard the Cat will be well out of the bag.

Hopefully everyone can now move on, although some people may find themselves going in a direction they did not wish to go.

Some of what it appears had transpired sounded very childish to me.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: nat on April 10, 2022, 09:03:53 PM
From what I heard the Cat will be well out of the bag.

Hopefully everyone can now move on, although some people may find themselves going in a direction they did not wish to go.

Some of what it appears had transpired sounded very childish to me.

You should change your forum name to The Riddler.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: vim on April 11, 2022, 10:39:45 AM
There was a member who used to speak in Riddles. It was many years ago when the eccentrics were found in the seats in front of the Pavilion. Another one from that same era was Nails. A few long standing members might remember him.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: pablo on April 22, 2022, 04:53:21 PM
Members forum to be attended by Simon Cooper. Who is he and who elected him? Judging by today's performance we have succeeded in jettisoning our best Chairman in years, our best overseas player ( excluding Harmer here) in Siddle and have the worst captain ( at least since Foster) and it can only go further down hill from here. Performance plus some sense of democracy and accountability done away with in the blink of an eye.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: kingstonj1 on April 22, 2022, 04:59:48 PM
Welcome to the Stephenson regime...

At least we won't offend anyone...apart from the loyal supporters
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: nat on April 22, 2022, 05:11:57 PM
Welcome to the Stephenson regime...

...

ECB stooge.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: Andy on April 23, 2022, 10:36:44 AM
Members forum to be attended by Simon Cooper. Who is he and who elected him? Judging by today's performance we have succeeded in jettisoning our best Chairman in years, our best overseas player ( excluding Harmer here) in Siddle and have the worst captain ( at least since Foster) and it can only go further down hill from here. Performance plus some sense of democracy and accountability done away with in the blink of an eye.

Welcome back to Essex 2015 style. At least being in Division one we could win it…
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: vim on April 24, 2022, 06:13:38 AM
I thought that the positions on the General Committee and a few others were elected positions. Has there been a meeting to change the constitution whilst I was away trying to break even after being ripped off with my 2020 membership fee?
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: vim on April 28, 2022, 06:37:56 PM
I have just received an e mail advising that the club will be looking for almost all a new board. Applications are invited from under represented groups.

They can stand and no doubt members will find other candidates to vote for. When they get a Lt Cdr Boakes number of votes, perhaps the message from the membership will get through.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: nat on April 28, 2022, 06:43:13 PM
I have just received an e mail advising that the club will be looking for almost all a new board. Applications are invited from under represented groups.

They can stand and no doubt members will find other candidates to vote for. When they get a Lt Cdr Boakes number of votes, perhaps the message from the membership will get through.
eh?
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: vim on April 28, 2022, 06:52:28 PM
Has anyone else received this e mail or has it just gone to Premier members? All 25 of us.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: Slogger on April 28, 2022, 06:54:29 PM
https://www.essexcricket.org.uk/2022/04/28/club-statement-board-update/
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: Slogger on April 28, 2022, 06:57:55 PM
David Acfield is club president. I don't know if his departure from the board creates a vacancy. If it does I would hope that Mr Gooch would step forward.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: firehazard on April 29, 2022, 08:21:22 AM
I have just received an e mail advising that the club will be looking for almost all a new board. Applications are invited from under represented groups.

They can stand and no doubt members will find other candidates to vote for. When they get a Lt Cdr Boakes number of votes, perhaps the message from the membership will get through.

Eight out of nine new board members needed. Opportunity for a takeover there if concerned members could get a slate together?
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: nat on April 29, 2022, 08:25:15 AM
I have just received an e mail advising that the club will be looking for almost all a new board. Applications are invited from under represented groups.

They can stand and no doubt members will find other candidates to vote for. When they get a Lt Cdr Boakes number of votes, perhaps the message from the membership will get through.

Eight out of nine new board members needed. Opportunity for a takeover there if concerned members could get a slate together?
yep go for it.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: vim on April 29, 2022, 08:31:33 AM
With the election it must be previous candidates need not apply.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: Andy on April 29, 2022, 01:08:57 PM
With the election it must be previous candidates need not apply.

Are whistleblowers allowed to stand again? Just asking…
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: firehazard on April 29, 2022, 04:17:24 PM
I have just received an e mail advising that the club will be looking for almost all a new board. Applications are invited from under represented groups.

They can stand and no doubt members will find other candidates to vote for. When they get a Lt Cdr Boakes number of votes, perhaps the message from the membership will get through.

Eight out of nine new board members needed. Opportunity for a takeover there if concerned members could get a slate together?
yep go for it.

Unfortunately I resigned my membership a few years ago, after they stopped playing at Colchester. Or possibly fortunately, given the way this season appears to be going.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: vim on April 29, 2022, 07:27:24 PM
also anyone who has the hobby of amateur social work need not apply. The damage these people's best intentions cause is never ending.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: Andy on April 29, 2022, 09:53:56 PM
also anyone who has the hobby of amateur social work need not apply. The damage these people's best intentions cause is never ending.

Surely that’s what we need. Unless you want another fine after after some ageing ‘businessman’ decides he’s Bernard Manning.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: Perov on April 30, 2022, 05:16:34 AM
What you don't want is someone who is offended by a word, fails to challenge at the the time, but stores it up to use it month's later in a bid to cause havoc and unsettle the whole club, in order to follow some personal objective.
The use  of that word is still disputed,  and many people who are Essex through and through,  have fallen on their sword, and will be interesting who applies to replace them.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: Andy on April 30, 2022, 08:51:08 AM
David Acfield is club president. I don't know if his departure from the board creates a vacancy. If it does I would hope that Mr Gooch would step forward.

Why? He was a poor captain and the jobs for the boys mentality started under his watch. I’d rather have Nasser who upset the complacent people at the club.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: Slogger on April 30, 2022, 08:55:11 AM
Club president is essentially an honoury role. I wouldn't have GG as chair. But as the figurehead he would be a good fit. If not him, someone like John Lever would be good.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: Mog on April 30, 2022, 09:06:29 AM
David Acfield is club president. I don't know if his departure from the board creates a vacancy. If it does I would hope that Mr Gooch would step forward.

Why? He was a poor captain and the jobs for the boys mentality started under his watch. I’d rather have Nasser who upset the complacent people at the club.

Or perhaps a certain A.Lilley....?  ;)
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: Andy on April 30, 2022, 10:54:46 AM
David Acfield is club president. I don't know if his departure from the board creates a vacancy. If it does I would hope that Mr Gooch would step forward.

Why? He was a poor captain and the jobs for the boys mentality started under his watch. I’d rather have Nasser who upset the complacent people at the club.

Or perhaps a certain A.Lilley....?  ;)

You read my mind. Fletch and Gooch were the reason the club got into a mess in the 1990s that took two decades to recover from.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: vim on July 27, 2022, 06:01:19 PM
No doubt you will have received the communication regarding the Non Executive and Members Committee vacancies.

Why do they need recruitment consultants? It seems like overkill for voluntary positions. The Committee vacancies are elected and the membership will be doing the selection for them.

I hope that there is a system to quickly remove anyone who does not meet expectations, as there no doubt will be.




Title: Re: AGM
Post by: nat on July 27, 2022, 06:24:15 PM
No doubt you will have received the communication regarding the Non Executive and Members Committee vacancies.

Why do they need recruitment consultants? It seems like overkill for voluntary positions. The Committee vacancies are elected and the membership will be doing the selection for them.

I hope that there is a system to quickly remove anyone who does not meet expectations, as there no doubt will be.

If I'm correct then the recruitment process will identify the 'right sort' of applicant who will then be 'recommended' by the board for election by the members. The expectation is that being recommended will carry weight in the election so that the board gets the appropriate quota of two-headed green-eyed martians (if you get my drift)  to satisfy the ECB and thus maintain the funding stream.

I'm hoping the membership stick two fingers up to the 'recommended' quota system and elect people who truly reflect member views.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: vim on July 28, 2022, 07:44:20 PM
I nominate for the vacancies, the Premier member who when discussing David Acfield asked. Did he play for Essex?
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: Andy on July 28, 2022, 08:49:12 PM
I nominate for the vacancies, the Premier member who when discussing David Acfield asked. Did he play for Essex?

Don’t know. He taught my brother in law history. Well, allegedly taught.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: bwildered on July 29, 2022, 09:49:17 AM
I nominate for the vacancies, the Premier member who when discussing David Acfield asked. Did he play for Essex?

DA had bit of a do, on the second day of recent game, so they were probably a non invited guest who does the free lunch circuit. Several  locals were present,  Fletch, Gooch, Stephenson, Lever, Hobbs and Pont plus various committee members who looked inside the tent than watch the middle order go slow out on the pitch or applauses at inappropriate moments, or was it that quick single !
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: pablo on November 03, 2022, 03:31:13 PM
Received my AGM notice today with 'Board' and Membership' Committee electoral forms. Three members of the board have of course already been appointed ( who appointed the appointers?) which seems to have resulted in the appointment to one position of a former Tory MP of 65 years appointed by a committee presided over by a current Tory MP.- a major step forward for diversity and inclusion- and given the current political and economic situation a sure fire guarantee of prudent finance and governance. Elsewhere we are 'pointed to' the candidates we should support for the remaining 5 vacancies on the board. Ias Nat has suggested previously, have voted for all those not recommended including the former Chairman's daughter. We are also 'encouraged' to think carefully about who we put our cross to for the membership committee election so that it' contains the right spread of skills and experience'. Why we would bother to vote at all for a body that in all likelihood will have no say or influence when dealing with 'the Board'?

The whole things an expensive mealy mouthed travesty of transparency and democracy, the very things they are supposed to be trumpeting.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: bwildered on November 03, 2022, 05:48:24 PM
Quite interesting to see who proposed and seconded the board candidates. Personally, would have liked to see the faces of the candidates, who are all anonymous to myself otherwise.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: pablo on November 03, 2022, 06:36:58 PM
Can't have pictures I'm afraid in case conscious or unconscious bias intrudes. Obviously there must have been total objectively displayed by the selection panel.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: vim on November 03, 2022, 06:48:52 PM
I have received my ballot papers. It looks as though I will be awarding myself a £500 pay rise as a former Premier member next year. I have no empathy whatsover with Essex CCC's difficulties and I am sick of being associated with the Pantomime.

Title: Re: AGM
Post by: vim on November 04, 2022, 07:21:01 AM
I have voted, although not for all 10 choices and none of the preferred candidates.

I have chosen the ones who I believe will be the most contentious and incompetent as my gift to the Club, which may be a parting one.

A number have a Finance background. Is this where the real problems lie?
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: essexfan548 on November 07, 2022, 07:11:17 PM
My ballot pack arrived today - does anyone know any of these people?
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: vim on November 07, 2022, 08:04:20 PM
I know one of them very well. I voted for him as he is a loose cannon who makes his opinions clear, especially if he thinks very little of them.

His catchphrase about people at the Club is, he could not run a bath.

Title: Re: AGM
Post by: kingstonj1 on November 08, 2022, 01:11:33 PM


I have chosen the ones who I believe will be the most contentious and incompetent as my gift to the Club, which may be a parting one.


Thanks for that, I'm sure we will all be delighted with your parting gift to make us worse off, the club you call yourself a supporter of!

The club has its faults, however i really do not see what more off the pitch away from the playing side people expect. We have no money so cannot improve the ground (we may be able to if we want to stop investing in the playing staff), on the pitch we are punching well above our weight, and apart from some contentious team selections, batting coach and groundsman, there's not really anything to complain about.

We have a PC 'scandal' hanging over us that we have to be seen to be complying with as anything else would lead to draconian measures against us, such is the febrile atmosphere amongst noisy minorities (i don't mean ethnic) who see ill in everything, and we are already likely facing some out of proportion punishment for completely unproven allegations, which will likely have a severe financial impact on us (ignoring the expensive box tick QC we have appointed), so not really sure what more people want, or is it the usual meteor way complaints and other such fripperies that the committee won't make a jot of difference to??Do you really think the whole preferred candidate thing is anything other than being pushed and steered by the ECB with an eye on the 'allegations fallout?? do you think the club really have a choice in that??

The only way the ground could be improved is selling it for housing and moving out of town which is highly contentious, and you would all soon be moaning if ground improvements were done at the cost of playing staff. Space prohibits self-funding improvements like Somerset and Kent have done.

Genuinely interested in what realistic, meaningful, costed things we could be doing better off the pitch.

Title: Re: AGM
Post by: Andy on November 08, 2022, 08:49:26 PM
Kingstonj1 - if you’re going to come on here talking reasoned, rational, sense then the mods will have to ban you!  ;)
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: vim on November 15, 2022, 07:09:30 PM
I see that in the American elections, everyone Trump endorsed did a Bismark. We can only hope the same happens to the Club's choice of candidates.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: Andy on November 15, 2022, 07:40:21 PM
I see that in the American elections, everyone Trump endorsed did a Bismark. We can only hope the same happens to the Club's choice of candidates.
Fake news! Andrew Strauss will run again in 2024 and become President again.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: kingstonj1 on November 15, 2022, 08:20:11 PM
I see that in the American elections, everyone Trump endorsed did a Bismark. We can only hope the same happens to the Club's choice of candidates.

Why?
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: vim on November 16, 2022, 06:57:04 AM
I object to having choices forced onto everyone. Everybody who is a member should be able to put their name forward. Including the likes of John Faragher, if no one wants him they can express their views at the ballot box.

How many of the special choices were Essex CCC members before being chosen as the anointed ones?
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: pablo on November 16, 2022, 11:43:18 AM
It's not obvious to me that any of them know anything about cricket. I can understand Kingston's plea for pragmatism but arguing that we have to accept all this bizarre nonsense otherwise 'it will be the worse for us' sticks in the craw, as does the temerity to suggest who we should vote for. Unusually in sport this club is a largely democratic organisation with a committee answerable to members. We are on the slip road to being like most professional football clubs i.e run by a board and chief executive who pay lip service - if any service at all- to their supporters via some toothless advisory group. If people think that's acceptable then fine but I think we have been blackmailed into it - if I can still use that term- by the current zeitgeist, and worse, it plays into the hands of the ECB who may well have a more pliable organisation to deal with than hitherto.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: essexfan548 on November 16, 2022, 11:45:01 AM
No-one has to vote for the 'suggested' candidates. Read their statements and decide - we are a members club - so use your vote.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: Caughtright on November 16, 2022, 09:46:54 PM
I am entirely one-eyed in my support for Essex, both the players and the admin, and this includes the ethos of the Club, which is democratic and freethinking, so I feel entirely comfortable and loyal in having rejected all but one of these recommended candidates who were parachuted in for our approval.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: bwildered on November 23, 2022, 07:37:40 AM
AGM live online tonight .

Perhaps  this exciting event could be renamed the Essex Draft !
And the winner is ……..
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: vim on November 23, 2022, 08:46:24 PM
Another AGM over.

I was shocked that there are now around 3000 members, of which one third are seniors and 20% life members who pay no more.

Title: Re: AGM
Post by: bwildered on November 24, 2022, 06:54:18 AM
Those elected to the Essex County Cricket Club Board were:
• Simon Cooper 695 Votes
• Chris Townsend 659 Votes
• Anu Mohindru KC 629 Votes
• Jo Faragher 465 Votes
• Victoria Keil 460 Votes

Those not elected:
• Neil Faraday 452 Votes
• Peter Edwards 355 Votes
• Baiju Solanki 248 Votes
• Alan Yetts 239 Votes
• Ralph Camp 192 Votes
• Janet Hargreaves 174 Votes

Total number of Ballot Papers issued: 3,452
Total number of Ballot Papers received: 996 (28.8% of the Membership)
Total votes cast: 4,568

Those elected to the Members’ Committee were:
• Millie Dillane 411 Votes
• Piyush Somaiya 299 Votes
• Chris Grant 297 Votes

Those not elected:
• Alan Yetts 296 Votes
• Daniel Haggar 291 Votes
• Janet Hargreaves 263 Votes
• James Horsley 228 Votes
• Richard Martin 192 Votes
• Nigel Barrick 189 Votes
• Claire Wightman 188 Votes
• John Welch 181 Votes

 AGM went same way has much of regular forums .
Other dealings were , why 150k not in club accounts for compensation in racism report , due out end of year, club have no idea of  amount that might be awarded.

Ground development party news  start of next year, concerns that if ECB put 10,00o seating capacity on Womens international which would result in club losing status in hosting England Women  event .

New general WI-FI available at ground next season.

Too costly to have facilities to take payments for Meteor Way-parking.

Board members to more available on match days to answer queries.

ECB - HPR fixture set up to be same in 2023.

Pitches gave to much or little away, needed more consistency for bat and ball.

Review of square with samples taken for analysis a service free of charge by ECB.

Sight screens  taken up too much space in seating  areas.

Overall - Club awaiting with trepidation over racism report, which has taken a large chunk of finance.
Most subject had been covered by online forums .
Difficult watch / listen has sound quality was very poor throughout the meeting .


Title: Re: AGM
Post by: pablo on November 24, 2022, 11:57:03 AM
Well apparently with spent half a million quid on an issue where no one has made a 'formal complaint' against the club !!
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: essexfan548 on November 24, 2022, 01:02:44 PM
Disappointing that so few voted ..

Title: Re: AGM
Post by: Suffolk Richard on November 24, 2022, 01:47:17 PM
I'd like to thank all members who voted for me on the committee election. And wish Millie, Piyush, Chris every success.  Richard
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: Can the Can on November 24, 2022, 06:43:49 PM
Disappointing that so few voted ..

Very much so. Extremely close indeed for the member's commitee.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: bwildered on November 26, 2022, 02:20:22 PM
How many of the non nominated candidates made in on the committee ?
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: essexfan548 on November 26, 2022, 06:38:14 PM
How many of the non nominated candidates made in on the committee ?

Only one - Jo Faragher - more people needed to vote.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: Caughtright on November 26, 2022, 09:45:14 PM
If only one of the non-carpetbaggers was going to be elected, she is arguably the most significant of those who stood.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: bwildered on November 28, 2022, 01:50:09 PM
AZEEM AKHTAR APPOINTED NEW CHAIR OF ESSEX COUNTY CRICKET CLUB.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: nat on November 28, 2022, 03:51:21 PM
AZEEM AKHTAR APPOINTED NEW CHAIR OF ESSEX COUNTY CRICKET CLUB.
inevitable that the wokerati would prevail.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: dazedpenguin on November 28, 2022, 04:06:26 PM
Why does everything have to be about wokeness or otherwise? Maybe with his experience he was simply the best person for the job.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: nat on November 28, 2022, 04:29:00 PM
Of course it could be a complete coincidence that in the midst of a racism s***storm swirling around the club then the club decides to appoint the first BAME chairman in its 150 year history.

Profile of the other candidates?
Selection process?

Inspector Clouseau could solve this one.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: Perov on November 28, 2022, 04:32:36 PM
He may, or may not, be the best and most capable candidate, but it will certainly keep the ECB happy.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: dazedpenguin on November 28, 2022, 04:38:07 PM
Maybe he was just better than the usual parade of old white men? I doubt his appointment will make any difference to the ECB or whatever penalty they will hand out to Essex. I think they'd be able to see through a bit tokenism.

Let's see how he does the job. Good luck to him.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: Oldhasbeen on November 28, 2022, 04:54:44 PM
AZEEM AKHTAR APPOINTED NEW CHAIR OF ESSEX COUNTY CRICKET CLUB.
inevitable that the wokerati would prevail.
inevitable that some members would complain abut wokeism without bothering to find out anything about our new chair, or suggest who a better candidate was.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: SirChef26 on November 28, 2022, 05:01:35 PM
Be nice if we actually knew who the other candidates were?

Having said that, I do like that someone younger has got the gig.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: vim on November 28, 2022, 08:08:30 PM
When the candidates were considered. Was it the same as when Dr Donald Coghan was made Archbishop of Canterbury, he was described as being the best of a mediocre bunch.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: bwildered on November 29, 2022, 08:34:43 AM
Think at the end of the AGM , JS stated that the new elected board meet next day, thus then elected new Chair.
Can anyone confirm ?

Who ever elected, best wishes especially during these times, which could be a thankless and time consuming task.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: firehazard on November 29, 2022, 09:14:34 AM
AZEEM AKHTAR APPOINTED NEW CHAIR OF ESSEX COUNTY CRICKET CLUB.
inevitable that the wokerati would prevail.
inevitable that some members would complain abut wokeism without bothering to find out anything about our new chair, or suggest who a better candidate was.

Nicely put, oldhasbeen. From what I've heard, he does look like a good appointment. And a proper supporter of the club.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: Andy on November 29, 2022, 03:32:07 PM
His background suggests that we might have the inside track on national boards (Sport England), he has the credentials when it comes to the handling of the historic diversity issues, and will hopefully get the WiFi (and website) working better.  Oh and he’s Essex born and bred, not one of those stupid northerners that got the club into a mess in the first place.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: Heisenberg on December 01, 2022, 05:15:42 PM
https://t.co/mZMby1KRHv
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: Heisenberg on December 01, 2022, 05:19:00 PM
I was nearly going to make a post about Azeem Akhtar’s twitter page but did not. I too was alarmed at some of the things on there.

How can Essex not do any checks on this before appointing him?

What a complete and utter mess.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: nat on December 01, 2022, 07:21:18 PM
https://t.co/mZMby1KRHv

Well well well. Can't say I'm surprised. Racism only works one way according to many.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: nat on December 01, 2022, 07:23:43 PM
https://t.co/mZMby1KRHv

Well well well. Can't say I'm surprised. Racism only works one way according to many.

Of course if the club were to apply consistent behaviour standards then the new chairman should be required to resign or be sacked forthwith.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: pablo on December 01, 2022, 09:07:00 PM
Now stood down awaiting a further enquiry !
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: nat on December 01, 2022, 09:30:55 PM
To what extent is JS culpable? Presumably it is JS responsibility to arrange for due diligence to be carried out. If so then he must go too.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: Andy on December 01, 2022, 10:33:27 PM
Anybody who disses Rachel Riley and Dua Lipa needs to have ‘a word’.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: stewyww on December 01, 2022, 10:52:34 PM
I don’t see how Stephenson can worm his way out of this. The whole thing is an embarrassment and is clearly a result of the election committee keeping their eye on the wrong ball, namely diversity targets.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: Slogger on December 01, 2022, 10:52:43 PM
The process to recommend "approved" candidates has spectacularly failed it would seem. I think if Mr Stephenson put that in place and they failed to take a look at the social media accounts of candidates as part of their due diligence he needs to consider his position. To quote the late Fred Root of the Hayes Close End, "it wouldn't have happened in Mr Edwards's day"
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: stewyww on December 02, 2022, 07:19:32 AM
Nothing on the BBC cricket website about this. Why am I not surprised?
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: bwildered on December 02, 2022, 07:46:39 AM
 Is this the start of a witch hunt of the new Chair only a week in post ?
Perhaps all posters should have social media accounts available for viewing on this platform ?

Essex County Cricket Club Chair, Azeem Akhtar has today issued the following statement:

“I have taken the decision today to voluntarily step aside as Chair of Essex County Cricket Club while an independent review takes place into recent matters that have been raised.

“I have made the decision to initiate this review because it is important that I as Chair and Essex County Cricket Club more widely hold ourselves to the highest standards of governance and accountability. By stepping aside, I want to show leadership and ensure the Club can focus on the ongoing challenges it is tackling.

“I am resolutely committed to ensuring that Essex County Cricket Club is an inclusive and welcoming environment for people of all backgrounds.”
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: Oldhasbeen on December 02, 2022, 08:28:15 AM
https://t.co/mZMby1KRHv

Well well well. Can't say I'm surprised. Racism only works one way according to many.
Very true.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: Oldhasbeen on December 02, 2022, 08:38:10 AM
The process to recommend "approved" candidates has spectacularly failed it would seem. I think if Mr Stephenson put that in place and they failed to take a look at the social media accounts of candidates as part of their due diligence he needs to consider his position. To quote the late Fred Root of the Hayes Close End, "it wouldn't have happened in Mr Edwards's day"
Social media postings vetting should be a basic part of any due diligence - it's standard practice even for recruiting the most lowly position in the industries I worked in, and I know that offensive Facebook posts have resulted in the binning of quite a few job applications in the last 20 years. 
Rancid antisemitism is a sacking offence. No ifs, no buts.
Failure to do basic due diligence for a top job is a resignation issue. No ifs, no buts.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: Andy on December 02, 2022, 08:48:53 AM
A more cynical person might see this as a deliberately engineered situation to destroy the club…having said that, this is Essex County Cricket Club.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: Oldhasbeen on December 02, 2022, 09:31:34 AM
A more cynical person might see this as a deliberately engineered situation to destroy the club…having said that, this is Essex County Cricket Club.
A wise old man once told me that when there was a debate whether something had been caused by  "conspiracy or cock-up", more than 9 times out of 10 it was a cock-up, and in the rare occasions when there was a conspiracy, it was almost always a cocked-up conspiracy.

Now an old fart myself, I incline to agree.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: nat on December 02, 2022, 09:55:46 AM
A more cynical person might see this as a deliberately engineered situation to destroy the club…having said that, this is Essex County Cricket Club.
A wise old man once told me that when there was a debate whether something had been caused by  "conspiracy or cock-up", more than 9 times out of 10 it was a cock-up, and in the rare occasions when there was a conspiracy, it was almost always a cocked-up conspiracy.

Now an old fart myself, I incline to agree.

Cock-up  = incompetence (in this case particularly)
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: Can the Can on December 02, 2022, 10:49:47 AM
Only at New Writtle Street.

Whoever voted for Vicky Ford to get onto the Board (and subsequently the Nomination Committee) needs to have a long hard word with themselves. Just a career politician with no previous connections to our club. Very alarming. I do wonder how fair and independent the counts have been in the past given that they are normally done by a sponsor of the club and not an independent balloting company.

From farce to farce now. More of OUR money to be spaffed on another inquiry. JS has made a massive cock up of this.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: Perov on December 02, 2022, 11:14:48 AM
Vicki Ford.  Anyone ( like her) who uses the phrase  " build back better" needs to be treated with caution.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: pablo on December 02, 2022, 01:59:56 PM

I thought we had appointed a high class hugely expensive recruitment/ head hunting company to come up with the short list and appoint the none elected board members. Surely they are the ones most exposed to criticism altho' I suppose JS appointed them and accepted their recommendations so can't be let off scot free (can I say that now?). Ford and O'Brian - an MP and ex MP of the Tory persuasion- are both Truss acolytes. Perhaps someone should apprise the treasurer and fast.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: bobw on December 02, 2022, 03:27:36 PM
Do I remember the club advising the membership to vote for the vetted nominations and not the ad hoc ones in case the club got into more trouble? Maybe they should trust the membership more.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: SirChef26 on December 02, 2022, 03:29:35 PM
What an utter shambles of a club we are. An embarrassment to members and fans alike. If we were a dog, we'd have been put down years ago. When the ECB does eventually dispose of us it will be seen as an act of mercy.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: Andy on December 02, 2022, 04:21:08 PM

I thought we had appointed a high class hugely expensive recruitment/ head hunting company to come up with the short list and appoint the none elected board members. Surely they are the ones most exposed to criticism

Now then, they had a nice website an’ all…
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: essexfan548 on December 02, 2022, 05:05:31 PM
Do I remember the club advising the membership to vote for the vetted nominations and not the ad hoc ones in case the club got into more trouble? Maybe they should trust the membership more.

He was a direct appointment and not in the ballot.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: stewyww on December 02, 2022, 05:16:02 PM
Do I remember the club advising the membership to vote for the vetted nominations and not the ad hoc ones in case the club got into more trouble? Maybe they should trust the membership more.

He was a direct appointment and not in the ballot.
Surely that is even worse.
I bet John Faragher doesn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: nat on December 02, 2022, 05:24:06 PM
Do I remember the club advising the membership to vote for the vetted nominations and not the ad hoc ones in case the club got into more trouble? Maybe they should trust the membership more.

He was a direct appointment and not in the ballot.
Surely that is even worse.
I bet John Faragher doesn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

They wanted a BAME chairman at almost any cost. Well now they are going to find out the cost.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: stewyww on December 02, 2022, 06:21:41 PM
Why does everything have to be about wokeness or otherwise? Maybe with his experience he was simply the best person for the job.
And maybe not eh?
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: dazedpenguin on December 02, 2022, 07:05:26 PM
He has excellent credentials and probably was the best candidate (admittedly we don't know who the others were). The fact that no one saw fit to go through his social media is another matter. That's the fault of the recruiters and JS was entitled to expect that they had done their due diligence.

Title: Re: AGM
Post by: stewyww on December 02, 2022, 08:26:22 PM
He has excellent credentials and probably was the best candidate (admittedly we don't know who the others were). The fact that no one saw fit to go through his social media is another matter. That's the fault of the recruiters and JS was entitled to expect that they had done their due diligence.
Best candidate? Are you for real? Sounds like a piece of work to me.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: nat on December 02, 2022, 08:28:05 PM
He has excellent credentials and probably was the best candidate (admittedly we don't know who the others were). The fact that no one saw fit to go through his social media is another matter. That's the fault of the recruiters and JS was entitled to expect that they had done their due diligence.
Best candidate? Are you for real? Sounds like a piece of work to me.

He was uniquely qualified in one essential characteristic and we all know what that is.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: Suffolk Richard on December 02, 2022, 09:10:24 PM
Its not good and the club could be subject to a lot of criticism from those not associated with it. The membership need to stick together and make sure those that are running the club are going to reset the platform so we can move on.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: dazedpenguin on December 02, 2022, 09:18:31 PM
He has excellent credentials and probably was the best candidate (admittedly we don't know who the others were). The fact that no one saw fit to go through his social media is another matter. That's the fault of the recruiters and JS was entitled to expect that they had done their due diligence.
Best candidate? Are you for real? Sounds like a piece of work to me.

I said his credentials for the job were good. I'm not defending the lack of due diligence in checking his social media, or the Twitter posts he liked.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: nat on December 02, 2022, 10:16:14 PM
Its not good and the club could be subject to a lot of criticism from those not associated with it. The membership need to stick together and make sure those that are running the club are going to reset the platform so we can move on.

For all its faults there is a reason why democracy is the best form of appointing leaders. If the entire board had been subject to election then there would have been many more eyes on the background of all the candidates and it is likely this mess would have been avoided.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: firehazard on December 03, 2022, 09:12:19 AM
He has excellent credentials and probably was the best candidate (admittedly we don't know who the others were). The fact that no one saw fit to go through his social media is another matter. That's the fault of the recruiters and JS was entitled to expect that they had done their due diligence.

The lack of due diligence on this is deeply disturbing. It's another indication that the problems at the club are deep-seated.

Also have to wonder about the same with regard to the previous positions that looked so good on paper.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: Oldhasbeen on December 03, 2022, 10:17:35 AM
He has excellent credentials and probably was the best candidate (admittedly we don't know who the others were). The fact that no one saw fit to go through his social media is another matter. That's the fault of the recruiters and JS was entitled to expect that they had done their due diligence.
Whoever appointed the recruiters is responsible.
As the old management adage has it "you can delegate tasks, but you can't delegate responsibility."
Or as President Harry S Truman put it "The Buck Stops Here"

If the recruiters have failed in their contractual obligations, we should sue them. I'm no lawyer, but I suspect unless there is something in black and white requiring the recruiters to check candidates' social media postings, they (the recruiters) could worm their way out.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: vim on December 03, 2022, 10:17:44 AM
As regards the use of twitter. it was Mark Twain who said it is better to keep quiet and let people think that you are an idiot, than comment and confirm it.

The same goes for John Faragher as well.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: Suffolk Richard on December 04, 2022, 06:03:02 PM
Its not good and the club could be subject to a lot of criticism from those not associated with it. The membership need to stick together and make sure those that are running the club are going to reset the platform so we can move on.

For all its faults there is a reason why democracy is the best form of appointing leaders. If the entire board had been subject to election then there would have been many more eyes on the background of all the candidates and it is likely this mess would have been avoided.

What if all candidates were chosen by a nomination committee and the membership can vote for 5 of them ?

Also whilst I agree in theory about candidates putting themselves up for election without being hand picked. It doesn't help this  cause when less then 30 percent of those eligible to vote bother to do so.  Aparthy is a problem with most elections and those that dont bother to vote cannot really have any complaints.  On the other hand if 90 percent plus voted that would put the board under much more pressure to deliver for the membership.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: Valentines Park on December 05, 2022, 11:22:52 AM
Has the grovelling apology been issued yet?

Almost makes you yearn for the days of Nigel Hilliard.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: Perov on December 05, 2022, 06:33:21 PM
Former Essex chairman John Faragher has launched  a defamation  case against Essex CCC.  Grab some popcorn.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: nat on December 05, 2022, 07:31:38 PM
Former Essex chairman John Faragher has launched  a defamation  case against Essex CCC.  Grab some popcorn.

Buy an Essex CCC membership for Christmas...for the gift that keeps on giving.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: vim on December 05, 2022, 09:45:02 PM
Did anyone vote for the retired Solicitor who put himself forward? He could have been very useful. I voted for him, he was the only candidate without a Essex till I die template statement.

I hope John Faragher has deep pockets, it could get very expensive.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: SirChef26 on December 06, 2022, 12:57:45 AM
Former Essex chairman John Faragher has launched  a defamation  case against Essex CCC.  Grab some popcorn.
That bloke is almost as embarrassing as the current incumbents.

Wish we'd just sell the club to an Indian billionaire with a contractual guarantee of a new ground build by 2030 and be done with it!
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: nat on December 06, 2022, 07:32:52 AM
Former Essex chairman John Faragher has launched  a defamation  case against Essex CCC.  Grab some popcorn.
Presumably he has had sight of the forthcoming report and doesn't like it.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: Andy on December 06, 2022, 12:59:58 PM
Well, we don’t need yet more scuttlebut around this club, but there is a remarkable lack of grace about the way these situations are handled.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: essexfan548 on December 06, 2022, 01:39:14 PM
Former Essex chairman John Faragher has launched  a defamation  case against Essex CCC.  Grab some popcorn.
Presumably he has had sight of the forthcoming relort and doesn't like it.

He was saying that he wasn't even inteviewed when he was in the pavilion in April
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: kingstonj1 on December 06, 2022, 08:35:47 PM
Hes been stitched up by 2 people who didnt like the (successful) way he went about things, who took advantage of the febrile atmosphere in the game (and in general) about this topic. Everyone is guilty irrespective of the validity or likely validity of the claims, its Salem.

Its a tawdry situation we are in with those with unblemished records of decades of service are ruined by debatable and often political (not party) driven allegations of racism.

Not to say Rod Liddle is gospel but he wrote a very good comment abut this in the Sunday Times around the royal racism hoo ha.

A women whose heritage she happily promotes and quotes in great detail on her website including where her forbears are from, who is wearing an outfit from said region of that heritage (cultural approbation perhaps??), claims a silly old lady of a completely different reality (i mean a lady in waiting vs joe public), is racist for asking her in a undeniably clumsy and insensitive, (but definitely not clearly racist or not) way where her heritage is (we all know that what she meant yet the perpetually offended tar it they way they always do) and thus the whole royal family are racist. Like them or not its a load of nonsense where the worst is seen in everyone. What a horrible way to see the world, ffence and ill meaning in the slightest little thing.

The still, only proven beyond doubt (and i'm not saying rafiqs or chambers et al's allegations are all false) racist evidence in this whole sorry debate in cricket is against Mr Rafiq and our new chairman. Funny that.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: smandlej on December 06, 2022, 10:09:36 PM
We still maintain that the expression in question is not at all racist (unless describing someone of another race) as it is used to cover a situation which can be caused by an inanimate or animate object.  In that way, it's no different to, say, using the expression 'cat among the pigeons', which may also cover a situation not involving felines or birds.

Lynda and Steve
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: Perov on December 07, 2022, 06:59:39 AM
We still maintain that the expression in question is not at all racist (unless describing someone of another race) as it is used to cover a situation which can be caused by an inanimate or animate object.  In that way, it's no different to, say, using the expression 'cat among the pigeons', which may also cover a situation not involving felines or birds.

Lynda and Steve

It should be remembered that the former chairman  still  insists that he never used the phrase in question.
An MP who used the phrase in 2017, Anne Marie Morris, lost the Party whip for 5 months, kept her job and then had the whip reinstated.
The two former board members who made the allegations ( 4 years later)  were not backed up by anyone else at that meeting.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: pablo on December 07, 2022, 03:48:03 PM
And Geoff Hurst used the phrase on TV in the nineties when commentating on a game with Garth Crooks! Last time I looked he was still a national hero. I only know John Farragher in passing but he, and his father before him, devoted a lot of their lives to the interests of Essex cricket and for very little if any financial benefit. I know he took the time to ring many members during the pandemic to ask after their welfare and presided, in stark contrast to his predecessor, to a period of remarkable on field success. Some of the players allegedly maltreated in the past played at time when he wasn't chairman anyway. He was always accessible to members at forums too in stark contrast to the directly appointed new board members who couldn't even be bothered to turn up at the last AGM. In short I think he has been appallingly treated.

i have no truck with racism, sexism or homophobia and have been threatened physically when confronting the overt manifestations of these things at cricket and football matches but now we clearly have people who see any or all of these things in 'a hand full of dust' and where those terms are close to losing all meaning -a failure to differentiate in relative seriousness between ethnic cleansing on the one hand and the sins of unconcious bias on the other. If you are not in the minority, trying to argue your case is dismissed on the grounds that you are not in that minority and don't understand, so heads you lose and tails you lose.

Where the club, and other organisations are culpable, is apparent laxity( if they exist at al) in having thorough discipline, grievance procedures and other policies associated with behavioural codes of practice and whistleblowing. I get the impression that responsibility for these things at Essex was held by a junior admin assistant at best.If true that has to change but don't leave it either to the HR consultants responsible for selecting Azeem.

Title: Re: AGM
Post by: Andy on December 08, 2022, 03:14:18 PM
I think Pablo sums up the clubs main fault in being very amateur (in the pejorative sense of the word) at handling potentially difficult situations for the club and its stakeholders.  Well, they are paying (heavily) for both HR messes now.  Maybe there will be a climb-down and Nasser may be asked to get involved.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: Mog on December 13, 2022, 01:38:57 PM
I think Pablo sums up the clubs main fault in being very amateur (in the pejorative sense of the word) at handling potentially difficult situations for the club and its stakeholders.  Well, they are paying (heavily) for both HR messes now.  Maybe there will be a climb-down and Nasser may be asked to get involved.

I'd suggest that assessment is rather accurate.
ECCC have been reactionary - at best- over a whole host of issues for a significant period of time.
Failure to get the level of expertise in positions of management, that required specialisms, has long been an achilles heel of the Club. Unfortunately, what we've seen is a continuation of jobs for the boys, selected/appointed because they happen to be good buddies with the ex-captain/current committee member, et al.
A clear absence of any coherent succession planning is all too apparent.

As for Nass, I think he upset too many people and told home truths to just those sort of people referenced above.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: bwildered on December 13, 2022, 03:16:22 PM
 And tell me why would Nasser be asked to get involved ?
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: Andy on December 13, 2022, 10:03:04 PM
And tell me why would Nasser be asked to get involved ?

Mog has answered your question. Because Nasser upset those who were blundering along as the team sunk down the divisions and the dressing room was full of unpleasant little idiots who got their contracts by brown nosing the right people. Whilst I won’t speculate about the veracity of the particular claims to ‘racism’ in the team, it wouldn’t surprise me one iota.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: SirChef26 on December 15, 2022, 12:49:32 AM
And tell me why would Nasser be asked to get involved ?
Because he's intelligent, known and respected across the entire cricketing world, takes absolutely no s**t from anyone, doesn't settle for mediocrity and is a born winner. He'd tell it like it is and sort out the absolute shambles that is our club within a few months. The fact that he ticks every 'diversity' box in the locker is just an added bonus.

I'd name him chairman and give him the keys to Chelmsford tomorrow if I thought he'd even consider getting involved. However, he's got a nice cushy well-paid gig which he's bloody good at that will keep him and his family nice and secure financially until he's old and grey. For that reason, he wouldn't give us a second glance unfortunately.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: vim on December 15, 2022, 06:39:49 AM
There was an incident in the Stuart Law no show game at Colchester. When Essex went out to field in the last session of a bore draw, Ashley Cowan was absent and replaced by a substitute. Nasser Hussain as the team took the field was stating his disapproval to members of the team with a number of swear words and that he was going take the matter of someone possibly skiving off up with the coaching staff. He was not the Captain that day by the way.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: nat on December 15, 2022, 09:51:07 AM
There was an incident in the Stuart Law no show game at Colchester. When Essex went out to field in the last session of a bore draw, Ashley Cowan was absent and replaced by a substitute. Nasser Hussain as the team took the field was stating his disapproval to members of the team with a number of swear words and that he was going take the matter of someone possibly skiving off up with the coaching staff. He was not the Captain that day by the way.

Just confirms to me that he is exactly the wrong person to be in any position of authority.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: Andy on December 15, 2022, 10:52:23 PM
There was an incident in the Stuart Law no show game at Colchester. When Essex went out to field in the last session of a bore draw, Ashley Cowan was absent and replaced by a substitute. Nasser Hussain as the team took the field was stating his disapproval to members of the team with a number of swear words and that he was going take the matter of someone possibly skiving off up with the coaching staff. He was not the Captain that day by the way.

Just confirms to me that he is exactly the wrong person to be in any position of authority.

I would’ve thought it is exactly what we need.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: kingstonj1 on December 15, 2022, 11:54:06 PM
The new chairman issue aside how is the club a shambles? The previous and ongoing issue excluding the chairman one was a witch hunt that we had no option but to comply with as anyone with an ounce of common sense would know. Yes the joke new chairman is hilarious turnaround and the forced committee (again it was done to comply with what we are being made to by the powers that be).

On the pitch we are still punching above our weight and off it we have no money, even less now, to improve things.

I really think people need to take a step back and instead of making stupid soundbites back them up with some substance.

All this has been caused by 2 committee members who didnt like JF's way of doing things, and used a febrile atmosphere in the court of public opinion to get their revenge based on  something he may or may not have said and had no racist connotation regardless. Everything else has snowballed from there and a direct symptom of these 2 bloke revenge. Mud sticks in the crazy atmosphere where tiny numbers of people drive the overall agenda, and we have had no choice but to comply to all the nonsense since or face sever punishment. Who knows if the failed players unprovable allegations would have come out had the spotlight not been on us due to JF;s alleged remark.

The 2 accusers have a hell of a lot to answer for and its simply been a ride the club had no choice but to take since then, the new chairman issue aside.

I think NH would be keen on a rol of some sort as he cares deeply and lives locally, similar to beefys role at Durham. I don't think he would though as i don't think he would toe the ecb line necessarily something we have to do or risk punishment.
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: vim on December 16, 2022, 06:54:53 AM
If John Faragher is sucessful in his action. Will the club attempt to reclaim the money paid out from the two accusers?

Title: Re: AGM
Post by: mawallace on December 16, 2022, 08:57:00 AM
When will this 'report' be published?

- Investigation started 6 Dec 2021. Findings to be presented in the 'New Year' per the email at the time - it did not say which 'New Year'!
Title: Re: AGM
Post by: JasonP on January 10, 2023, 12:38:24 PM
https://www.thecricketer.com/Topics/countycricket/john_faragher_essex_role_defamation_case.html