Essex Outfielder : The Unofficial Essex CCC Forum
Cricket => Official Q&A => Topic started by: Starfish on May 27, 2015, 08:03:53 PM
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Evening,
In a valiant bid to hear how we can make the experience, off the pitch, of watching / following Essex County Cricker Club better I would like to invite those most vocal and indeed those less vocal to have their views heard and listened too.
If this is of interest to anyone please let me know, often on here we are criticised for not caring, not listening or only being interested in T20. As we plan for 2016 (whilst ensuring 2015 goes well) now is the time to be heard. I have sent PMs to regular complainers to not receive replies more often than not.
Please let me know either by reply to this thread or PM or emailing Danny.macklin@essexcricket.org.uk or 01245 254039
Thanks in advance, Danny Macklin, Commercial Director.
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Let me start with a few moans:
For me the parking issue is important and no solution has been offered to me.
I became a Life member because I live outside Essex and wanted to guarantee I could park in the ground for free. I've posted before that I can't use a multi-storey as I often travel alone and feel vulnerable having been attacked in one in the past (I'm female).
I also want to see a team that enjoys playing - I've been attending matches since 1971. In those days we often lost but the matches were played in a great spirit and the team seemed to love playing together. Success in 1979 didn't change the team and I watched them when I could in many different grounds around the country. The team seemed to lose their way in 1992/3 but I carried on watching. In recent times there seems a poor team spirit and a lack of 'fun' ...
I prefer championship and longer one-day matches ie not T20. When I go to a match I like to feel welcome so expect clean toilets and a good range of food and drink at a reasonable price. I've now been to over 40 first class grounds and I do notice Chelmsford has not kept up with other County HQs.
I really don't feel we were ever consulted properly about the Ground Development - we've had one mailing with details of purchase but that was some time ago. Nothing was posted about the meeting when many of us could not get there or it was full when we called. Meetings are held mid-week at times which mean I would get home far too late to get enough sleep to go to work the next day.
The website isn't great either - compare it to other counties ...
Danny, I'm not criticising you personally but would like to feel that complaints were listened to at a high level and there was a response and explanation.
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Well, I’m obviously not considered a regular complainer, as I haven’t had a message. Must say I’ve become disheartened with the Clubs' lack of effort to make contact with members.
I sympathise with Essexfab548 about the parking. I’m mobile (at present) but find it’s a long way to walk from Meteor Way. However, to be fair, I don’t see what other options are easily available.
I want to see an Essex team; sudden changes in the squad for no apparent reason suggest that the management is desperately casting about for someone, anyone, who can make a difference. Injuries, too, are not always accidental; coaches need to be careful about asking still developing bodies to do things they were never designed to do. This especially applies to fast bowlers.
A better range of beers would be good, especially if some were from our large number of Essex small breweries. As would a better range of sandwiches.
Finally, the elected management’s “efforts” to contact the members are quite frankly dreadful. The old website might have attracted some scurrilous posters but at least there was some exchange. The current arrangments encourage whinging.
As a thought, why not have short, focussed, forums during lunch inbtervals? Or even just “meet the committee”. Wouldn’t need all members to be there. Half an hour on a "re-building update” would be a start.
And, why do we not get a members mailing in December reminding us that the Committee elections are due and inviting candidates.
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Thanks for your posts. Some good suggestions.
We send the November winter mailing. Under our agreement we use the wide range of ales and beers from Shepherd Neame who continue to make a large investment into your club. We tender the agreement every two years and continue to get the most support from them.
We will suggest the lunch interval idea. As more is known in schedule and detailed ground plans we will certainly share. We are working behind the scenes on this at present.
We expanded the lunch sandwich range and they didn't sell - obviously a day shelf life makes this a challenge to get numbers right.
Wanted to emphasis who would like to hold a meeting and ideal date / times - even at a weekend
Thanks
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TBH, Danny, I don’t recall anything from the November mailing about the Committee elections. That may well be me, of course. However it may be because it wasn’t mentioned clearly enough. Or in large enough type! That doesn’t mean it ought to be in 84point of course, but I suggest that a clear reminder would not go amiss.
There might too, be a review of who can stand etc. In 2015, with “work retiring ages” increasing is the present cut-off appropriate? I realise that some of my colleagues here will be horrified at the prospect of some of the present commttee being given the opportunity to stand again, but that’s not the point. It might, in fact, be more useful to have a “three-term” limit, as happens in manyn professional oprganisations.
I’m also concerned that because someone was organising a player’s benefit he wasn’t allowed to stand for the committee, although I appreciate that there may be tax reasons.
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We already know some papers were missing from the November mailing. Danny, I think you agreed that a list of enclosures would be added next time?
I do read everything we are sent but don't remember anything about Committee elections ... again, it's all symptoms of the 'cancer' that seems to be eating away the heart of the Cricket Club. [I apologise to anyone who finds my use of that word offensive - I speak as someone who lost their mum far too young from that disease]
We have still had no notes from the recent AGM anywhere ... why was there such a large 'debt' in the accounts? Who owes us that money and what is being done to get it? The committee seems to have no accountability.
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Essexfan makes a good point about a report from the AGM. Same applies to Members Forums. I’ve taken notes at these on occasion, as has Postman (I’m sure there are others as well) but it really shouldn’t be down to the goodwill of a few “ordinary” members to commuicate what happens to those who, usually for very good reasons, cannot attend.
Anyway, we’d never get them all in the Pavilion if all the members did turn up!
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Thanks for the posts. Will take above on board and action where we can.
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i understand the issues with parking but if you visit for example Gloucester or Leicester the parking situation is just as bad if not worse and comes to down to finding a place in the street. I think we've probably been a bit spoilt with parking in the past. i park in meteor way and am pleased we have it.
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Leicester? There is a huge field next to the ground - never had a problem parking there - ditto Bristol or didn't you mean those grounds?
There is no other First-class ground I've visited (over 40 so far) where you have to use a multi-storey. I feel that, because I'm a Life Member, no-one cares if I'm not ever able to visit Chelmsford again.
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Leicester? There is a huge field next to the ground - never had a problem parking there - ditto Bristol or didn't you mean those grounds?
There is no other First-class ground I've visited (over 40 so far) where you have to use a multi-storey. I feel that, because I'm a Life Member, no-one cares if I'm not ever able to visit Chelmsford again.
Aaah they've got your money so what incentive do they have to take care of you?! I can't put my finger on it but there's definitely something not right about the way the club is run. Maybe it is the committee structure...
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Leicester? There is a huge field next to the ground - never had a problem parking there - ditto Bristol or didn't you mean those grounds?
There is no other First-class ground I've visited (over 40 so far) where you have to use a multi-storey. I feel that, because I'm a Life Member, no-one cares if I'm not ever able to visit Chelmsford again.
Sorry i didnt mean Leicester, i was thinking of Northampton and typed Leicester. At Northants the car park at the ground filled up really quickly and i was left with street parking and then got blocked in by local residents who didnt like Cricket fans parking down their road.
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Leicester? There is a huge field next to the ground - never had a problem parking there - ditto Bristol or didn't you mean those grounds?
There is no other First-class ground I've visited (over 40 so far) where you have to use a multi-storey. I feel that, because I'm a Life Member, no-one cares if I'm not ever able to visit Chelmsford again.
Do you have mobility issues ? Meteor Way is a good facility albeit a short walk away.
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Isn't Meteor Way a multi-storey? If you read my post then you will understand that I cannot use multi-storey car parks since I was attacked in one.
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Isn't Meteor Way a multi-storey? If you read my post then you will understand that I cannot use multi-storey car parks since I was attacked in one.
Yes, you've mentioned it a couple of times. Meteor Way is a field a pleasant 10 minute walk away by the river.
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Meteor Way isn't a multi storey, its a small field and is a short walk to the ground.
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What would help a lot is if the team were successful rather than treading water in LVCC2 (some seasons not very comfortably), there appears little forward planning with the team & injuries to 1/2 key players eg Foster, Napier,Masters would really stymy us, we also lack a front line spinner (assuming Monty either goes/doesn't play much).
I want Essex to play the way they did back in the 70's & 80's ie hard,fair but with a sense of fun/enjoyment, Members & all spectators need to feel welcome & enjoy the experience each time.
On the good side the Club Stewards do a very good job in a friendly manner, those used on 1 day match days need to be a little more knowledgeable & be ready to crack down on poor behaviour ie bad language in particular, cost of T20 tickets needs to be carefully monitored as well.
Communication wise ,we need to be kept fully informed re Ground Development & also of Minutes of Committee meetings where appropriate.
Very impressed with our Ground Staff also Tony Choat does an excellent job, Danny you also do a great job in what must often be very trying times especially trying to sell a Div 2 side to prospective sponsors etc.
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Thanks to Danny for starting this thread.
From my own point of view, I'd sympathise with and echo some of the same concerns as Essexfan has above. What would encourage and enable me to be a far more active supporter and regular attender at games - as I was in the past before mobility issues became more of a problem- would be the availability on a reliable basis of accessible parking at, or very close to, the ground. Meteor Way is too far with my increasing need to rely on equipment. The few "disabled" parking spaces, available on a first-come basis, are filled so early that with a journey that can take 2 hours, for CC matches it means an unfeasibly early start, with still no guarantee of a space. So our attendance tends to be restricted to Colchester where parking can be relied on.
And of course better performances on the field would help too. ;)
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Would some kind of park & ride scheme be feasible for games?
Larry could even drive the van to give him something useful to do ;)
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Would some kind of park & ride scheme be feasible for games?
Larry could even drive the van to give him something useful to do ;)
Ignoring the sill comment ... a minibus pickup from Meteor Way to the ground might be an option. Haven't the club already got a minibus?
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Yes that would help me - I like to park within the confines of a ground for safety reasons. My drive is also two hours plus to Chelmsford ...
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Isn't Meteor Way a multi-storey? If you read my post then you will understand that I cannot use multi-storey car parks since I was attacked in one.
Yes, you've mentioned it a couple of times. Meteor Way is a field a pleasant 10 minute walk away by the river.
I'm not entirley sure I'd describe it as a wholly pleasant walk, given that you're skirting the new flats and the gym at one stage, but otherwise that's right, Essex fan. Meteor Way is definitely a field, not a multi-story. And you are never walking under cover or, in my experience, where no-one else is about. The path is used by all sorts of people going about their business as well as cricket fans.
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Earlier on the htread I commented adversley on the sandwiches, to which Danny replied that they were now rather better. So yesterday I tried one, and yes it was.
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They listened, they acted. ;)
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They listened, they acted. ;)
Then you vomited... ;)
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I did nearly vomit when I tried a pint of that David Masters ale.
Even by Shepherd Neame standards it was truly rank.
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I did nearly vomit when I tried a pint of that David Masters ale.
Even by Shepherd Neame standards it was truly rank.
David Masters: you mean it went straight up (and down)????
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The return of the Southend Cricket Festival at Garons would certainly be very popular in the south of the county.
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after going yesterday it is clear to see the problems on the pitch need sorting and quickly ahead of any off field issues. If the cricket continues this way there will be nobody there to complain about parking or the sandwiches etc... oh wait... maybe that is the plan.
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Absolutely correct. While its admirable that Danny and others ask our views on off field matters it is obvious that nearly all the problems are on field. As in any sport a successful team will greatly ease the pain of boring sandwiches and not enough jazz bands at intervals but of course playing matters are not in Danny's remit. If only the management regularly asked for our opinions on playing matters instead of insulting supporters with rude and arrogant put downs. Alternatively Danny could take a leaf out of their book, next time someone has an issue with catering he could snootily respond," obviously you're not a sandwich connoisseur "
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I’m not sure we should be asked for our opinions on playing matters ...... are we qualified to give an opinion ..... but I do think that when we do say something we shouldn’t be subject to “rude and arrogant put-downs”.
If we could feel that the “management” were as concerned as we are at the situation it would be a step forward. When did anyone last see the Chairman giving an interview?
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When did anyone last see the Chairman giving an interview?
The last time he spoke publically he said that "winning was overrated".
Long may the silence continue.
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I've just had a flick through the members magazine for Spring 2015, it has made me chuckle, definitely recommend it to anyone if you need cheering up and a bit of a laugh. From CEO to Captain all talking about getting back into Div 1 of the CC and winning the T20, its comedy gold.
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From CEO to Captain all talking about getting back into Div 1 of the CC and winning the T20, its comedy gold.
They say tragedy eventually becomes farce.
Heads should roll for falling so far short of stated objectives though.
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I've just had a flick through the members magazine for Spring 2015, it has made me chuckle, definitely recommend it to anyone if you need cheering up and a bit of a laugh. From CEO to Captain all talking about getting back into Div 1 of the CC and winning the T20, its comedy gold.
does it mention anything about the plan to invest in youth, I doubt it, that scam, sorry scheme only popped into Larry's head after the mag went to press. As for suggestions for making the club better, alchemy anyone ?
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The silence from the marketing supremo is deafening.
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Surely better sarnies is enough improvement to be going on with.
The Essex County Ground (without sponsor) wasn't redeveloped in a decade ;)