Essex Outfielder : The Unofficial Essex CCC Forum
Cricket => Official Q&A => Topic started by: mawallace on September 05, 2015, 09:31:38 AM
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So, in the week we lose Topley, Grayson leaves, we now get an e-mail saying the development is on hold for 12 months. How long is the development to take. Our ground is really looking second class and tired
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So, in the week we lose Topley, Grayson leaves,
One could easily be excused for opining that you consider the departure of the aforementioned to be a monumental loss for ECCC.
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Flats obviously aren't selling.
Developers must have seen Essex coming.
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So, in the week we lose Topley, Grayson leaves,
Sorry that was not my intention!
One could easily be excused for opining that you consider the departure of the aforementioned to be a monumental loss for ECCC.
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A 12 month delay will give plenty of time for the exact plans to be revealed.
This season taking seats out of use at the river end and forcing everyone into a smaller space must have been conditioning the members for what they will be getting eventually.
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Perhaps the club could negotiate with the developers for a walk through by the side of Cricket school behind fitness club towards Meteor Way for next season if no building work is to take place .
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So, in the week we lose Topley, Grayson leaves, we now get an e-mail saying the development is on hold for 12 months. How long is the development to take. Our ground is really looking second class and tired
On hold......for 12 months? That's odd, I could have sworn it had been on hold for eight years. If I recall, the Club bragging at how wonderful the redevelopment would be, how lucky the mere members and supporters were to have such a forward-thinking and enlightened Committee.......
Can you provide an overview of the email, and what it does say? This being No Change Essex, it will be worth more looking at what is left out of the statement. ::)
This is shocking incompetence and illustrates the utter shambles the Club currently is, as opposed to its default position of merely mediocre.
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Who was the e-mail was sent to? I'm a member but haven't had one.
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This is a huge concern and surely a detailed explanation should be made as members have made sacrifices in return for a false dawn.
Frankly having travelled the country along with Grace Road (of which is about to have some restoration) we have the worst ground facilities in the Country and after this years fiasco now on and off the pitch, I feel members will vote with there feet.
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I am not surprised.
When I saw the advert for the flats in an estate agents window in Chelmsford. I thought these do not appear to be selling.
Members will not vote with their feet as their is a surprisingly high number who will put up with anything. Although the group gets smaller every season.
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Interestingly enough if the development is delayed for a year the Olympic Stadium will be off & running for WHU & Essex could easily play their T20 &RL games there thus Chelmsford could take even longer - that's assuming we still harbour hopes of using the OS.
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Like everything surrounding Essex CCC it is difficult to get to the truth
A local newspaper article a couple of months ago said:-
''Century Tower only has three apartments unsold, with many homes snapped up in the remaining three blocks. The other towers, which will be complete by 2018, have yet to be given names, but when they are, it will be going along with the cricketing theme.The site is still a hive of activity as builders put the finishing touches to construction, which is due to be completed by September''
I expect that many in Century Tower (ie Block A) were bought by investors and some may be trying to offload them at a profit?
Certainly no other developer around Chelmsford appears to be holding back - there seems to be new buildings going up everywhere
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You can see on Right Move how few are actually sold or under offer:
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/find.html?searchType=SALE&locationIdentifier=POSTCODE^1036276&insId=2&radius=0.0&minPrice=&maxPrice=&minBedrooms=&maxBedrooms=&displayPropertyType=&maxDaysSinceAdded=&includeSSTC=true&_includeSSTC=on&sortByPriceDescending=&primaryDisplayPropertyType=&secondaryDisplayPropertyType=&oldDisplayPropertyType=&oldPrimaryDisplayPropertyType=&newHome=&auction=false
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After the pompous announcement that the cricketing part of the development was to be completely redesigned as the club didn't want to go into debt in order to have a new ground, Im wondering if wewill even have a ground in the future. We have a derailed development that has stuttered and stalled from day one, a highly dubious plan for umpteen flats that appear to have one side hanging over parkway and the other at short mid off, no definitive plans for any of the cricket related facilities and a further undermining of members benefits with parking charges and a first come first served car park to be shared with every visitor to the city. By the time the club has gone bust thanks to the fat controllers (aka Sheikh East's) hubristic scheme we will have no county championship and cricket will be T20 only. Then it will be just one pragmatic step to using the Olympic stadium for an East London francise and ECCC will be a thing of the past.
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Given all the opprobrium aimed by many at Grayson, Saville,Foster and Irani, already, I am amazed that our Chairman is still in place and seems to avoid a lot of the flak. Here is someone whose enthusiastic endorsement of Giles Clarke - he of the 'Stanford follies' and the carving up of world cricket in the hands of England,Australia and India- says little for his judgement. His other statements about winning not being important and foreseeing cricket becoming 'just like baseball' also seem symptomatic. He has presided over the worst decline of Essex cricket ever and has been at the helm for most of ground development fiasco. Isn't it time he was asked politely to fall on his sword ?
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Perhaps he could respond as he regularly lurks on this forum?
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After the pompous announcement that the cricketing part of the development was to be completely redesigned as the club didn't want to go into debt in order to have a new ground, Im wondering if wewill even have a ground in the future. We have a derailed development that has stuttered and stalled from day one, a highly dubious plan for umpteen flats that appear to have one side hanging over parkway and the other at short mid off, no definitive plans for any of the cricket related facilities and a further undermining of members benefits with parking charges and a first come first served car park to be shared with every visitor to the city. By the time the club has gone bust thanks to the fat controllers (aka Sheikh East's) hubristic scheme we will have no county championship and cricket will be T20 only. Then it will be just one pragmatic step to using the Olympic stadium for an East London francise and ECCC will be a thing of the past.
The David East vanity project.
As for the car park, assuming it ever gets constructed, will provide first refusal to residents of the one/two or perhaps just the singular utilitarian apartment block. Should be an interesting experience when the flat occupants return home to find their parking space has been requisitioned by an Essex member. Perhaps it could add an extra dimension to Friday night experience at 'Fortress Chelmsford'? ;)
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I understand that the Council gave the Club the New Writtle Street public car park with an agreement that there would be the equivalent number of spaces for public use in the multi-storey car park which is part of the approved plans for the ground. No doubt the Council expected that the multi-storey would be built and in use by now. It would be interesting to know how much revenue the Council has lost since it gave the car park away. As a resident of Chelmsford, with no prospect of the multi-storey car park ever being built, it looks a very bad deal for the Council Tax payers. Probably also explains why we have to pay to park at Meteor Way now.
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Good point - yet another aspect of this long running saga
The e mail mentioned realigning the club's facilities. Another round of meetings with some members during the winter?
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Good point - yet another aspect of this long running saga
The e mail mentioned realigning the club's facilities. Another round of meetings with some members during the winter?
THere’s usually a mem,bers forum in early November. Anyone still got their newsletter from March?
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Seems that Paul Grayson thinks that the ground development - or lack of it - is why we can't hold onto players.
I don't agree with all of the points in the article - but there may be a small element of truth in this!
See
http://www.essexchronicle.co.uk/Tired-ground-hold-Essex-says-Grayson/story-27766964-detail/story.html
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As this saga rumbles endlessly on and the prospect of a new pavilion and other spectator/player facilities becomes ever more distant, it's worth recalling what we were told way back in the last decade about the business case for the project-which was that the club would have much better facilities for banqueting, conferences etc and therefore be able to maximise its non-cricketing income. Now that we seem destined to have much smaller facilities than the original plans, if indeed we have any at all, where does the business case now stand? Or will we find, unknown years hence, that we have lost assets (the sites of the flats) and virtually all our parking space, in return for very little if any tangible improvement? I asked a question on these lines at the meeting last January and didn't hear an answer.
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Has everyone noticed that the plans of how the spectator areas will look is a secret.
In the photograph of David East with the model of the development. There was a massive pavilion and a few rows of seats at the river end with blocks of flats behind them.
Apart from the car parking, what is the betting that parts of the new pavilion will be off limits to ordinary members.
The banqueting suite was to be in the corner by the community stand.
Remember the old boys network at the club is above you.
You do not become a name at Lloyds.
Enter property deals with someone whose name you have not yet caught.
Invest money with a fellow at your golf/cricket/lawn tennis club who has the right handshake.
You are not a special consultant, the one that has no clients.
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Another one lost the plot
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Lost the plot have I.
Well I realised from the start that the ground development was,
No benefit to the members and public at all.
A drain on the clubs income and accumulated fund, if it still exists.
Years of disruption in and around the ground.
Will get built in some form as the club is in to it to far to turn back.
The club and some of the senior officials have history at getting ripped off/doing their money.
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Another one lost the plot
.... seems like Essex members losing their plot or a big chunk of it at least.
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Another one lost the plot
Ah, another one? You mean there's more of us?
Do I get a prize for guessing that you are Mr Bowden in disguise?
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Yes you will get access to all parts of the new pavilion that will be restricted to ordinary members. Not sure how long you will have to wait though.
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There should be an official enquiry into the gross mismanagement of this project.
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http://m.essexchronicle.co.uk/Architects-redeveloped-Old-Trafford-Olympic-Park/story-28865513-detail/story.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
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http://m.essexchronicle.co.uk/Architects-redeveloped-Old-Trafford-Olympic-Park/story-28865513-detail/story.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
To get Premier League darts, you'd have to be looking at a 4,000-seater (at least) indoor arena. Hmm.
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In the article there is mention of darts tournaments, the restaurants, flats, business meetings and conventions in the pavilion. But no mention of cricket. Also the pictures give a good show of the pavilion and the flats. However not much of elsewhere, particularly behind the bowlers arm.
I think the hidden agenda is revealed now. Cricket and the ordinary club members do not appear in it.
Under the club rules an EGM carries great power. Now is the time to use, save the EGM about team performances until later. As once this pile of poop is built, you will not wish to set foot in the place again.
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The club continue to make themselves ridiculous with this ongoing, fiasco. One that has delivered precisely nothing in terms of spectator accommodation, facilities. Firstly, why is Bowden speaking to the media, when it is the members of the Club that employs him? what about the members? (those that remain, anyway) who should be consulted with initially. Despite, the 'consultation' with about 1.25% of the membership last year, not a word has been heard about it since...until now!
Meanwhile, the image on the link, is the same 9 year old publicity shot of the model, that continues to collect dust and cobwebs on top of the CEOs filing cabinet. It also was shot at a suitably opaque angle so as to disguise what the design actually look(ed) like.
As for the architects who designed Old Trafford's redevelopment....does Irani know one of their sales team? Maybe they emailed him the plans for the technical area at OT? ::). Having visited AFL Architects; http://www.afl-uk.com/welcome Needless to say there's no mention of ECCC!
As firehazard states, darts is an indoor sport, so how would the pavilion, which even by No Change Essex's admission was being reduced in scale and budget be capable of hosting that? Perhaps NCE could have a word with Hearn, oh hang on a sec, perhaps they already did back in 2008, where the needs of buy-to-let market clearly took precedence over a sporting arena.
This farce would be hilarious, if wasn't so utterly symptomatic of ECCC.
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Interesting, same guys who have to reinvigorate Altrincham's dead town centre and are building the new Belle Vue down the road. They seem to crop up everywhere - although indeed Gorton and Alty do get more website coverage than Chelmsford...
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"We hope our new pavilion will be able to cater for business meetings and weddings, we plan to have an open air cinema out on the pitch, and the aim is to really connect the ground with the city.
Umm. I think that the present pavilion can host business meeting and weddings. I the website is already advertising a cinema showing in August!
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So capacity is down to 6,500 seats in the latest update. no doubt all with no more legroom than Douglas Bader would need. What's happened to the other 1,000+ seats in the Fat Controller's original plans? Why new architects at this stage? More planning applications to come? What's happened to the original "development partners"? A look back through the yearbooks shows how the story continues to change, would anyone bet against it changing again? Forget what goes on on the pitch, the "redevelopment" is the biggest disgrace in the history of ECCC, yet the same people remain in power (Hilliard will be replaced by another of his kind). How do we get an EGM?
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Is the change of architects similar to someone in a long running court case, always changing their solicitors. A sign that things are not going as planned?
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Is the change of architects similar to someone in a long running court case, always changing their solicitors. A sign that things are not going as planned?
Inclined to agree, Vim.
What on earth is going on? If ever there was a "jam tomorrow" scheme, this is it.
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Remember when the club gave £100k to an advisor who disappeared over the horizon? Just saying.
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The development was never about the members, it was barely about cricket, the modern attitude is that cricket is an inconvenience to a cricket club and championship cricket a complete nuisance, that's why it's going to be cut back. Essex ceased being about the members about 20 years ago and a deliberate policy of allowing membership to decline then creates the argument for more alternative sources of business. Perhaps the reduced capacity now being spoken about is an indication that the club know that francise cricket is an inevitability and that it will not be coming to little old Chelmsford therefore no need for 8000 seats. Please please please someone get an egm called and get this decade long saga of mismanagement, incompetence and deliberate duplicity exposed. This story is a scandal and it must end now.
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This article and the information it contain raises many questions on a lot of levels and I feel members and followers of ECCC need some explanations; aside from forcing an EGM, specific questions need to be asked at the next Members' Forum; Ash, is there one slated for pre-season? in the meantime, please make sure regular attendees such as "squarelegumpire" and myself are armed with the questions you want asked and we shall do our best.
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It would be a start if some members actually attended the AGM this year, unlike last year when the total present was about 40.
The bottom is forecast to fall out of the Buy To Let market following the latest tax changes so will this be yet another blow to this doomed project?
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Does anyone know anybody who has invested in the flats as an buy to let investment? I mentioned that someone found out that all the developers had to do after taking the money. Was to put down the foundations and say we have started construction by a certain date, no date given for completion. No refunds.
With the costs of drawing up new plans and the legal costs, it must be getting to the stage that the construction costs will exceed the receipts from sales.
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Have the original development partners left because they would make a loss? Declining attendance at agm is simply a reflection of declining interest in general, the future support is the casual t20 supporter who no more feels part of cricket or the club than he feels part of the Odeon or Hollywood when he goes to the cinema AND THATS THE WAY THE CLUB LIKES IT. To get any interest going I guess you'd need a meeting arranged for lunch on day 1 of a championship game publicise it heavily in advance and have flyers handed out explaining the dire nature of the off field situation which could break the club. Essex always prattled on about not wanting the development to send the club into debt, well that may look like a dream scenario compared to what might happen. I note Derbyshire have turned in another profit, what are we doing wrong ??????l
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The original partners website looks well out of date, and refers to projects managed by RPC (who are they).
http://www.mcdproperty.com/
Going back to the EC article, shockingly poor journalism as usual from them. There are so many questions that they could have asked Bowden about what he has told then "exclusively" for the article, let alone the history of this embarrassing failing project but they obviously hadn't got the balls to.
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Are there no members, or people well known to members, with development industry experience and expertise who could do some proper fact finding about the state of this project and the risks the club is exposed to? No disrespect to members generally but most of us wouldn't know what questions to ask. Now's the time, with the AGM coming up.
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Good thought, Postman. Daren, weren’t you concerned with this sort of thing once?
I recall at the last Forum asking why, if the block which HAS been built is sold out, there was only one flat with any lights on, and was told that as most of them were buy-to-ley, the buyers hadn’t managed to let them yet.I would have thought that if one bought a property one would have been anxious to get some cash back asap, unless there’s some financial shenanigans going on.
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This article and the information it contain raises many questions on a lot of levels and I feel members and followers of ECCC need some explanations; aside from forcing an EGM, specific questions need to be asked at the next Members' Forum; Ash, is there one slated for pre-season? in the meantime, please make sure regular attendees such as "squarelegumpire" and myself are armed with the questions you want asked and we shall do our best.
Hi Daren,
The next Members' Forum is scheduled for Tuesday 12 April, Day 3 of the game v Gloucestershire. It will start at 7pm.
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Thanks, Ash
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Not exactly day 1 at lunch is it. You'd need to be dedicated or lonely to hang around till 7.00 on an inevitably chilly April evening. If you are unable to get to the ground till after work I apologise, just make sure you make them sweat.
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https://www.haart.co.uk/buying/2-bedroom-apartment-for-sale/chelmsford-essex-cm2/hrt001908645/
They are still advertising loads of these flats ... still says 4 towers.
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Perhaps the club bought them at a reduced rate.
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Good thought, Postman. Daren, weren't you concerned with this sort of thing once?
I recall at the last Forum asking why, if the block which HAS been built is sold out, there was only one flat with any lights on, and was told that as most of them were buy-to-ley, the buyers hadn't managed to let them yet.I would have thought that if one bought a property one would have been anxious to get some cash back asap, unless there's some financial shenanigans going on.
I was VERY concerned with this sort of thing in the late 1980s, but it was an unmitigated disaster. I have focused on investment banking for the 27 years since.
I remember your question at the meeting and indeed the answer you were given. I must admit I am as puzzled as everyone else here. I had a lively conversation with David East some years back, when he was explaining to me the merits of such an investment in the ground (and did I know anyone with a spare £85mln?). I am still not convinced and not sure such an ambitious plan was necessary and the inevitable disruption caused by the construction of apartment blocks alongside Parkway and behind the scoreboard is my main worry. However, I agree with the idea of making the ground a revenue generator both in and out of season, so creating a retail/leisure aspect is a good idea. Top of the list remains a new pavilion and upgraded corporate facilities, among other spectator upgrades.
Personally, I don't think anything meaningful will happen until the autumn and even that will be predicated by the team's performance this season. I remain bullish. I think we shall win a trophy and/or get promoted and that will be a more sensible base for discussion and proper guidance as to how all this will really progress.
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How many members could afford the price of the flats? I can, but I would invest in something with less hassle than buy to let. Also since the development was first announced, there have been other developments started and completed elsewhere in Chelmsford.
Chelmsford has a poor rail service. How many people working in the City would choose Chelmsford as a location?
I wonder who owns the flats? Ms Anne Anomouse, Mr N O Body and Mr N O One (not the 1960's singer).
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Good thought, Postman. Daren, weren't you concerned with this sort of thing once?
I recall at the last Forum asking why, if the block which HAS been built is sold out, there was only one flat with any lights on, and was told that as most of them were buy-to-ley, the buyers hadn't managed to let them yet.I would have thought that if one bought a property one would have been anxious to get some cash back asap, unless there's some financial shenanigans going on.
I was VERY concerned with this sort of thing in the late 1980s, but it was an unmitigated disaster. I have focused on investment banking for the 27 years since.
I remember your question at the meeting and indeed the answer you were given. I must admit I am as puzzled as everyone else here. I had a lively conversation with David East some years back, when he was explaining to me the merits of such an investment in the ground (and did I know anyone with a spare £85mln?). I am still not convinced and not sure such an ambitious plan was necessary and the inevitable disruption caused by the construction of apartment blocks alongside Parkway and behind the scoreboard is my main worry. However, I agree with the idea of making the ground a revenue generator both in and out of season, so creating a retail/leisure aspect is a good idea. Top of the list remains a new pavilion and upgraded corporate facilities, among other spectator upgrades.
Personally, I don't think anything meaningful will happen until the autumn and even that will be predicated by the team's performance this season. I remain bullish. I think we shall win a trophy and/or get promoted and that will be a more sensible base for discussion and proper guidance as to how all this will really progress.
It was DE's vanity project, to leave a lasting legacy of his own to ECCC. Of course, the whole episode continues to provide a significant embarrassment, that the Club are still talking up, despite having no clue how to deliver it from day one. This is hardly surprising with a Club comprising of ex-players and their mates, who have no idea about redevelopment, financing, or often cricket itself!
Most presciently, was their arrogance, under DE in thinking that they wouldn't bother/ didn't need consulting members or supporters of the Club, or their neighbours. Then, once it was scrutinised, and serious questions asked, such as why were the club and their 'development' partners proposing to build on a flood plain, potentially placing Chelmsford at increased risk of flooding. The Club suddenly became keen advocates of consultation, but purely to meet their own objectives - listening to the input of people who support them was well down that list!
Followed in late 2014, by a 'consultation' to about 50 members, placed in the usual restrictive slot; midweek winter night to make it as difficult as possible for people who may have asked some awkward questions. It has been a continuing stream of incompetence from start to.......soon to start.
However, a phased, proportionate and fit-for-purpose development could have been delivered if the Club had purchased the old hospital site in the late eighties/early nineties, when they were financially strong and successful off the field. It would have had no need for housing as a project enabler. It was a period of significant construction to sports stadia across the UK, financed by the full order books, cheap imports of materials, due in large part of professional football clubs' and their need to implement the Taylor Report.
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Mog. Best post of the year thus far. I felt that the club were pushed into 'doing some redevelopment' by the ECB, whose stadium mania means they've had to introduce a city franchise and destroy smaller clubs.
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To be fair Mog, at the time the development there were, IIRC, only two or three ex players in senior positions, Insole, East and Saville, and the former could reasonably be discounted as a partner in decision making. Hilliard, Brown (who’s baby it was), AFAIK never played anything other than club cricker, possibly the odd II’s game, but no more than that.
That’s not to say it was ever a GOOD IDEA, although I dont think anyone would argue that something had to be done about the Pavilion and players facilities .... the School is, I understand, fine but the changing facilities for visitirs are an embarrasment. I agree with Daren about using the facilities out of season; excellent site and very suitable.
I’m not sure, too, whether the old hospital site would ever have been a runner; a bit, I suggest of being wise after the event.
I don’t want to be accused of supporting the management over this; I think we’re in severe danger of ending up with an expensive and unusable building site, and I do think a bot of honesty and plain speaking from the Committee would not go amiiss.
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I’m not sure, too, whether the old hospital site would ever have been a runner; a bit, I suggest of being wise after the event.
Well, I'm no property developer, but prime land on New Writtle Street would've been very useful as an extra income from offices - although leaving room behind for an expansion of the site. But, of course, the management at the time could see no further than the end of Gooch's playing career...
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To be fair Mog, at the time the development there were, IIRC, only two or three ex players in senior positions, Insole, East and Saville, and the former could reasonably be discounted as a partner in decision making. Hilliard, Brown (who’s baby it was), AFAIK never played anything other than club cricker, possibly the odd II’s game, but no more than that.
That’s not to say it was ever a GOOD IDEA, although I dont think anyone would argue that something had to be done about the Pavilion and players facilities .... the School is, I understand, fine but the changing facilities for visitirs are an embarrasment. I agree with Daren about using the facilities out of season; excellent site and very suitable.
I’m not sure, too, whether the old hospital site would ever have been a runner; a bit, I suggest of being wise after the event.
I don’t want to be accused of supporting the management over this; I think we’re in severe danger of ending up with an expensive and unusable building site, and I do think a bot of honesty and plain speaking from the Committee would not go amiiss.
I appreciate your considered response, and clearly you have tried to balance things out here.
The thrust of my argument is the continuing disregard for members by Essex County Cricket Club, and criticism (by them) of anyone who has the audacity to question the Club and seek valid answers to serious questions. What we all get is condescension and contempt, barely disguised; think of Grayson & Irani referring to ECCC long suffering as "so called supporters" for but one example.
If the Club had consulted and listened to what supporters and members were looking for in the proposed new development from the outset, rather than displaying the "we know best" attitude, they may have had some foundations, both physically and metaphorically.
The whole spectator aspect of the development proposal was centred on an oversized pavilion, with a disproportionate seating capacity, with accompanying knee-scrunchingly tight leg room, to create space for the apartments at the expense of the River End. I have never seen a clear drawing or CGI of the design, nine years after release. I wonder why!
Personally, I considered back in the day that the hospital site should have been pursued by ECCC. Both from my Essex fan and professional perspective. It could have delivered an expansion of circulatory space in the ground, with specific access/egress directly into New London Road. Then combined with smart, intelligent and creative thinking, the pavilion side could have been redeveloped with space to retain the car park and cricket school...and leave the outfield to its same size as a minimum.
Unfortunately, the club went after the Chelmsford City FC ground in the late 90s, but were stung by a conman for circa £100k. Again, with better advice and professional expertise this would have probably been avoided and a development delivered. To put in context, that was in the days of Peter Edwards. As he was unable to deliver, what chance those who have succeeded him? Ex-players and their mates. As I said. All very sad.
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Mog. Best post of the year thus far. I felt that the club were pushed into 'doing some redevelopment' by the ECB, whose stadium mania means they've had to introduce a city franchise and destroy smaller clubs.
Thanks Andy, very generous. I wonder if DE and his cohort were seduced at the prospect of making a "killing" on the buy-to-let market, just prior to the economic crash. Stadia-mania was largely the role of test-match wannabes,....Others have delivered architecturally pleasing developments; including Derbys, Somerset, and Worcs too, (if you exclude the budget hotel appendage)for example.
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How many flats have actually been sold? I can see little evidence of sales on the websites you can search ...
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Mog. Best post of the year thus far. I felt that the club were pushed into 'doing some redevelopment' by the ECB, whose stadium mania means they've had to introduce a city franchise and destroy smaller clubs.
Thanks Andy, very generous. I wonder if DE and his cohort were seduced at the prospect of making a "killing" on the buy-to-let market, just prior to the economic crash. Stadia-mania was largely the role of test-match wannabes,....Others have delivered architecturally pleasing developments; including Derbys, Somerset, and Worcs too, (if you exclude the budget hotel appendage)for example.
My thanks to you too, Mog. It's always good to conduct a civilised discussion, especially when points of view are different. Having said that I suspect you are right; inadequately informed relatively small-time operators WERE "seduced at the prospect of making a "killing" on the buy-to-let or just the "development" market"! Daren, at the risk of rubbing salt into old wounds for both of us, wouldn't you agree that it could easily happen?
As I said, the club desperately needed, and still needs, modern facillities for our staff. I'm not sure what is going to be done with the income from Block A; my recollection is that it will go to reimburse the developers costs.
My recollection was that after Brown retired from the committee he was to be retained as a consultant specifically to deal with his project, the development. However, to my knowledge he hasn't been involved. He's walked away and left others, apparently without his vision, to cope.
If he's ill or something, then I apologise in advance for the criticism.
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The property market has a consistent history of luring individuals keen on making fast money, but sadly too often they are eaten for breakfast by hard nosed builders and developers, consistent with any bubble in economic history. Thus this project might have been doomed from the start, once dreams of profiting from apartment blocks was made part of the equation. The hospital site idea seems to make sense, but it is water under the bridge now. My feeling is that the plans should have been driven by a priority for the players and fans facilities, funded by a proper addition of retail facilities, where regular income would be generated by shop/restaurant rentals all through the year. But we are stuck with the current situation. Personally, I would hope something realistic can be salvaged from all this, something that would not see play disrupted, something that would give us a better pavilion, better seating and maybe more toilets (!). I would ask do we really need to continue building apartment blocks and trying to be property speculators? Let's stick to being a cricket club please.
Thanks, Ash
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Mog. Best post of the year thus far. I felt that the club were pushed into 'doing some redevelopment' by the ECB, whose stadium mania means they've had to introduce a city franchise and destroy smaller clubs.
Thanks Andy, very generous. I wonder if DE and his cohort were seduced at the prospect of making a "killing" on the buy-to-let market, just prior to the economic crash. Stadia-mania was largely the role of test-match wannabes,....Others have delivered architecturally pleasing developments; including Derbys, Somerset, and Worcs too, (if you exclude the budget hotel appendage)for example.
My recollection was that after Brown retired from the committee he was to be retained as a consultant specifically to deal with his project, the development. However, to my knowledge he hasn't been involved. He's walked away and left others, apparently without his vision, to cope.
If he's ill or something, then I apologise in advance for the criticism.
is that also what happened with Brown at Great Leighs racecourse ? Once is unfortunate, twice..........
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The fact that ads were placed close to the pavilion urinals suggests that someone had an inkling as to what would happen with the racecourse. ;)
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The property market has a consistent history of luring individuals keen on making fast money, but sadly too often they are eaten for breakfast by hard nosed builders and developers, consistent with any bubble in economic history. Thus this project might have been doomed from the start, once dreams of profiting from apartment blocks was made part of the equation. The hospital site idea seems to make sense, but it is water under the bridge now. My feeling is that the plans should have been driven by a priority for the players and fans facilities, funded by a proper addition of retail facilities, where regular income would be generated by shop/restaurant rentals all through the year. But we are stuck with the current situation. Personally, I would hope something realistic can be salvaged from all this, something that would not see play disrupted, something that would give us a better pavilion, better seating and maybe more toilets (!). I would ask do we really need to continue building apartment blocks and trying to be property speculators? Let's stick to being a cricket club please. Thanks, Ash
Why are we 'stuck' with this?
From my perspective, it's due to the same clueless collective who refuse to let go, to change direction or even admit they made a (series) of poor decisions. The 'redevelopment' plan could change tomorrow. It's the embedded, jobs-for-the-boys who are blocking it! Perhaps Daren, you should concentrate on making this shambolic situation that the Club have delivered on themselves as a key priority of your election campaign. Then, if you can defeat vested interests, work to take it forward. I'd vote for you on that platform. However, I'm no longer a member, because of the situation I've just illustrated, along with a string of other equally cement headed decision making and policy over the past ten years...or more. ::)
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"Stuck" is just my assumption of the situation. I have not seen or heard anything from the club that would suggest they are not pushing on with the original plan and the most recent information just suggests a change of personnel involved. I don't think we are being fed all the facts, which is backed up by the inconsistency of the various press releases from the club over the last few years. Interestingly, when you stand for committee, you are asked to submit a 140 word profile. My original version was sent back for readmission, as you are not permitted to include a "manifesto", but more a profile of who you are; hence my rather incisive profile, which basically says I love cricket and work in the City(!). Mind you you do get a fetching picture of me with Ricky Ponting's hand on my shoulder! Future policy of the club would continue as long as the General Committee stays unchanged; to effect change, you have to start with change on the committee; of the eight candidates standing for the five spots available, six are incumbent seeking reelection. Only two new faces - Brian Springall and myself - are standing. To overhaul the committee, at every election, we need to have more new faces who care about the club stepping forward.
I have outlined my personal wish list for the future of the County Ground, which I think could be self-sustaining. If any of you are on Facebook, there is a very good page called "Everything Essex Cricket", a similar fans' forum to this, which is worth joining; there are some lively discussions on there currently about current issues which dovetail nicely with what is being posted here.
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When the ground development was first announced. It should have been challenged there and then. But no most of the members put their heads in the sand thought it would go away. Yes some members said that the development would never even get started.
Well now is the time to get your heads out of the sand.
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I have just completed my voting slip and I could only find myself voting for Daren and Brian Springall any other vote would merely sustain the status quo.
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When the "Development Scheme" was first launched I thought it brave and exciting. I had some concerns, but basically, if it could have been put through in a reasonable time scale it would, quite probably, have been ok. Better than OK in fact; very good.
However, as we know, it hasn't been.
We've had delays and "rethinks"; some of the delays were foreseeable, some were down to the collapse in the property market, although that's getting to be EVER such a long time ago. And the financial guarantees we were promised we had seem to have been pie-crust promises ... made to be broken! Has anyone in Chelmsford looked at the one block actually built at night; does it appear it's occupied?
How much would it cost now to walk away from the scheme? If we did, how could we bring the pavilion and the associated facilities up to scratch?
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"Stuck" is just my assumption of the situation. I have not seen or heard anything from the club that would suggest they are not pushing on with the original plan and the most recent information just suggests a change of personnel involved. I don't think we are being fed all the facts, which is backed up by the inconsistency of the various press releases from the club over the last few years.
I'd suggest that's the understatement of 2016, to date.
What we have been fed is none of the facts, only the parts of the scheme that put ECCC in the best possible light, just a diet of half-truths, some deliberately withheld at the outset, then others hastily published to head off consternation and serious questions over the original scale model depicting a single tier stand at the River End, for example.
This shock to the insular ECCC hierarchy at the time and indeed now, ensured they wouldn't countenance issuing anything other than opaque angles, or shots of the supposed retail element and blocks of utilitarian flats ever since. Rather than what the average ECCC supporter really wanted to see; the redevelopment of spectator aspect itself.
Is it a deliberate misinformation, or just business as usual incompetence, or perhaps a mixture of the two?
Isn't it about time the Club were honest? You know, they may just regain a modicum of sympathy and engagement with their members and fans, rather than blaming anything and everything else from world financial crisis to neighbours 'sticking their noses in' to meddling environmental concerns. When they just maybe taking a look in the mirror.
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Well some news - which again is via the Essex Chronicle and not to members!
http://www.essexchronicle.co.uk/Essex-Cricket-Ground-redevelopment-commence/story-28891064-detail/story.html
Some points:-
"Mr Bowden, who has been at the club for three years, said: "We're hoping that work on the redevelopment will start in the autumn and we expect it to have a massive impact on Chelmsford."
"At the ground, the John Pearce stand will be staying put, and the Hayes Close end won't be changing too much as building there would be detrimental to the existing residential area. But the area by the big scoreboard is where one of the residential towers will go; behind a new big bank of seating.
"Then the pavilion and premier suites will be demolished in favour of a new pavilion and three tier block of seating.
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"At the ground, the John Pearce stand will be staying put,
Where is this stand? :o
A bit worrying that Mr Bowden does not know the ground very well ...
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"At the ground, the John Pearce stand will be staying put,
Where is this stand? :o
A bit worrying that Mr Bowden does not know the ground very well ...
To be fair, could be the Essex Chronicle got it wrong.
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A bit worrying that Mr Bowden does not know the ground very well ...
Must be all those holidays he takes during the cricket season. ::)
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Reading the article it would appear to me that nothing much has changed. Is the John Pearce (no me neither) stand that remains going to be the new seating at that end?
Is a tower block going on the site of the scoreboard? It will be a bit noisy for the residents and how will they get to and from their car park? The entrance would be right on the roundabout and the filter lane round to Rainsford Road/Coval Lane.
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Looking at the other venues for premier league darts they are large indoor arenas, 10-20,000 seats,, the kind used for pop concerts etc, perhaps Mr Bowden's suggestion that the new county ground could be a venue isn't just hubris, it might be a clue to the future, the whole development has collapsed, the club will fold/relocate and Chelmsford will get its much needed indoor arena that befits a city.
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Original plans was to put tower block in main scoreboard corner , with the new scoreboard being relocation by Tiptree stand .
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The model can still be viewed in a Chelmsford estate agents window, if it isn't covered in dust and the rings of coffee cups I think it should be updated to reflect the changing nature of the scheme, a team of modellers could be permanently based in the window constantly modifying like sycophantic courtiers pandering to the fluctuating whims of a crazed , egotistical 16th century monarch.
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Tipped off by a friend I listened to the BBC Essex Around the wicket programme from 9th June, where John Faragher is interviewed and asked various questions. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0682frd
The area of interest to me, anyway, was the discussion regrading the 'ground redevelopment'. It's contained between 2:38-2:46 of the four-hour broadcast.
Faragher, who was Vice-Chairman when the Ground Redevelopment plan was originally unveiled by David East circa 2008, has now had a significant period for reflection and believes that the Club made the correct decision by not continuing with the phases two and three, following the erection of the artless, utilitarian block of flats which now occupies the Clubs' former car park. He of course fails to acknowledge the loss ECCC incurred by that one part of the development.
He continues that he will not allow the Club to get in to debt - then shows his complete ignorance of how stadia development is typically financed. At the time the Club stated that the residential development would pay for the spectator facilities and make the Club a tidy profit and anyone who raised any concerns were told that they didn't know what they were talking about, and that No Change Essex knew best - and clearly still do ::)
So, having wasted an entire decade, which has delivered absolutely zero in terms of spectator facilities at Chelmsford, he advises they are discussing with their advisers and experts - no time scale is provided.
Faragher then states that his legacy; (I seem to recall East making the same arrogant, self-undulgent statement when the original scheme was unveiled), that his lasting legacy will be to make [Essex County Ground] "the very best non-test match ground in the country". All the best with that ambition! It is currently and indisputably the very poorest, spectator deficient, non test match HQ ground in the whole first-class set-up. Where the club have spent around £4.99 on facilities in about 30 years!
I considered that if an Essex CCC member/supporter hadn't been to The County Ground for around 35 years, then returned today they would instantly recognise it - as virtually no feature of it has altered.
Quite simply Essex have spent all this time doing nothing whilst others have actually got on and delivered.
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I'm glad the development stalled as the proposed spectator facilities were even worse than those that currently exist.
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Let's face it, apart from one deluded person (presumably still in the middle east) no-one thought this would be a viable scheme. The ECB was forcing clubs to be more entrepreneurial through developing their grounds. This was only going to work if the club had actually bought the old hospital ground and developed part of it for offices back in the previous recession. As it was the club neither developed the ground nor bring in talent to replace GG. Hence 20 years of no change Essex.
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Perhaps new revealed platinum sponsor Weston Homes might be interested in building flats in the surrounding area ( just like the Hythe , Colchester ) and reignite previous plans .
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Thanks Mog for highlighting this interview. Presumably from what the chairman said, we've wound up the deal with the developers and retrieved the £600k plus interest that was held in escrow, so now's the time to spend some money-not the squillions of the former plan-just enhancing the facilities to make up for years of neglect. New loos in the pavilion would be top of many peoples' list plus more modern floodlights, for which we can probably get some cash from the ECB. We don't need to waste more years debating this, just to get cracking next winter. It's a pity, however, that Mr Faragher hasn't made a statement more widely as he promised at the AGM.
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Something I heard was that when you think that the development is dead it rises up again to haunt everyone.
The ground development from beyond the grave (again).
I hope that David East tries property development in Dubai, especially as they still have a debtors prison.
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You all seem to forget that the ground re-development was all about improving facilities for the players and to enhance corporate facilities. Any spectator improvements would be a by-product.
Improved player/corporate facilities are still needed but can be done on a much more modest basis than previously envisaged.
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You are right about enhancing Corporate facilities Nat. At one of the members forums at the time, David East and Keith Brown were absolutely wetting themselves about the Banquetting Suite.
This would have gone at the Hays Close end in front of the new flats.
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Any spectator improvements would be a by-product.
That might have been acceptable but there were literally no improvements for spectators in that plan.
Unless less stinky bogs in the new pavilion counts.
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I considered that if an Essex CCC member/supporter hadn't been to The County Ground for around 35 years, then returned today they would instantly recognise it - as virtually no feature of it has altered.
That would be me, more or less - not quite 35 years, but since the early 90s I've only been a couple of times a season or so, and some years not at all. I was there yesterday for the first time this year, and you're quite right - walking into the ground is always like entering a timewarp, as it still looks as it did in the 80s - the one significant change is the general air of decay. Good for ye olde nostalgia, perhaps, but not so good for ECCC in present time.
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I don't smell an air of decay at the ECG and I've been attending for 45 years+. I remember the bucket in a tent that acted as the public toilet. I remember the harsh (on the posterior) wooden 'terracing'. I remember the main/only scoreboard being the mobile scoring van last used at Colchester during festival week. I remember when the Tom Pearce stand didn't exist.
True that the pavilion side of the ground needs upgrading. We should crowd fund the necessary cash. There must be some well upholstered Essex boys out there.
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Well, I started watching in the late 70s and also remember all that - except maybe the buckets: I certainly do remember those at Ilford, but can't recall them at Chelmsford. The success of the 80s was accompanied by an upgrading of the ground (new scoreboard, TP stand etc)... I just find it odd that nothing much has changed since - it all looks so similar that I walk in and half expect to see JK Lever and Kenny McEwan warming up on the outfield.
OK, maybe 'decay' is harsh.. let's say 'faded'.
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All the windows in the pavilion are new and the old carpet has gone. The Honours Boards have been added to this year and the photographs updated.
I agree the toilets need replacing but I remember the buckets too ... the loos at some big grounds are pretty poor too unless you venture into the pavilion.
I still prefer the atmosphere at Chelmsford to somewhere like the Ageas Bowl.
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Well, I started watching in the late 70s and also remember all that - except maybe the buckets: I certainly do remember those at Ilford, but can't recall them at Chelmsford. The success of the 80s was accompanied by an upgrading of the ground (new scoreboard, TP stand etc)... I just find it odd that nothing much has changed since - it all looks so similar that I walk in and half expect to see JK Lever and Kenny McEwan warming up on the outfield.
OK, maybe 'decay' is harsh.. let's say 'faded'.
Looking at some of the photos in the Essex Cricket Memories book and some of the online footage of "glory years" games I was struck by how similar the ground looked. No floodlights then of course, and the Hayes Close end was narrower and benefited from the shade of some trees (better for it too). The in the 1980s development was built on the back of big crowds and strong finances. I can remember Mr Edwards being criticised at an AGM for having too much of the £3m reserves invested in government stock rather than in the blue chip market!
Now I'm a simple soul but wondered couldn't we have dipped into the reserves to build a new pavilion and broadly leave the rest of the ground alone and not gone in for a grandiose redevelopment?
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Well, I started watching in the late 70s and also remember all that - except maybe the buckets: I certainly do remember those at Ilford, but can't recall them at Chelmsford. The success of the 80s was accompanied by an upgrading of the ground (new scoreboard, TP stand etc)... I just find it odd that nothing much has changed since - it all looks so similar that I walk in and half expect to see JK Lever and Kenny McEwan warming up on the outfield.
OK, maybe 'decay' is harsh.. let's say 'faded'.
Now I'm a simple soul but wondered couldn't we have dipped into the reserves to build a new pavilion and broadly leave the rest of the ground alone and not gone in for a grandiose redevelopment?
The ground development was a going through the motions exercise. IMHO.
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The ground development was a going through the motions exercise.
Would that it were we might have got new bogs. ;)
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The ground development was a going through the motions exercise.
Would that it were we might have got new bogs. ;)
Nope that explains the quality (?!) of the beer on offer.
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In this week's cricketer DerekPringle writes about Wednesday night and says that the floodlights are not that good and are set to be replaced. That's the first I have heard of this
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I'd be interested to know what contributors here would like to see, if any ground upgrade were to take place at the Chelmsford County Cricket Ground?
Personally, I know the way ECCC operate, their legendary insularity, intransigence and lack of imagination, and would fully expect that any announcement they may make would just re-hash the East vanity plan.
Some thoughts....
What would you like to see, in terms of facilities/features from a spectating perspective, both those who prefer red-ball and those who attend white-ball versions?
*Is it viable to redevelop the ground on its current footprint?
*What area(s) require the most pressing attention?
*Should ECCC sell the site and relocate to a new site? (Preferably not the appalling Garon Park).
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I don't smell an air of decay at the ECG and I've been attending for 45 years+. I remember the bucket in a tent that acted as the public toilet. I remember the harsh (on the posterior) wooden 'terracing'. I remember the main/only scoreboard being the mobile scoring van last used at Colchester during festival week. I remember when the Tom Pearce stand didn't exist.
True that the pavilion side of the ground needs upgrading. We should crowd fund the necessary cash. There must be some well upholstered Essex boys out there.
A few years ago, Mr. East invited me to lunch and over a rather good red, explained to me his plans. I was rather sceptical and couldn't quite see the need for so many flats and also the developer's idea to start at the car park, rather than at the scoreboard, as usually you start developing at the furthest part of the plot, then work your way back out. He was looking for an eye-watering £85 million at the time, which also seemed excessive. However, I did sound out a few of my City associates and got fair amount of interest in raising a sizeable amount. Gooch, Cook, Bopara et al were all very attractive marketing tools at the time! East also encouraged me to join the general committee at the time to get further involved. Sadly, before anything could be realised, David East departed for the Middle East and an alternative funding plan was devised. I was rejected by the membership (and quite aggressively by one or two committee members) from joining the committee, so I walked away. I still take tables at all Essex functions and fundraisers and spend my own money at auctions, where I know the money goes directly to help the club. For my part, I agree with other posts here that a redevelopment would realistically see a rebuilt pavilion, with top player facilities and of course modern conveniences for members. The corporate hospitality offering just needs an upgrade to bring it in line with what other venues offer, in order to attract the highly lucrative corporate £. Plans for utilitarian blocks of flats and an £85 million budget were always far fetched, but I think the club still sees the need to update, just under more realistic circumstances.
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Daren, I never thought I'd see "sadly" and "David East departed" in the same sentence.
Do you think that his plan was ever a serious proposition? Or to be more precise, was it just a wind-up to make it look to ECB like we were following their dictats?
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Andy, as it was proposed to me, the numbers didn't stack up. Nor, to me, the plan of the development, which seemed to totally disregard the needs for Essex as a cricket club. ECB or not, there was and still is a desire to be keeping up with the times an when you look at other grounds around the circuit and not just the test venues, you can see big efforts are being made to improve facilities for players and spectators alike.
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Daren thanks for this. I've used the conference facilities at Old Trafford before they built The Point and rebuilt the old pavilion. At the time I felt OT wasn't that much better than Chelmsford. Of course there is a huge gap now. However they have space for these things and we don't.
Seems that the thinking is always based on the largest grounds of the test hosting clubs. I think we either need to move or go for a workable smaller plan. However the ECB always thinks big, but instead of thinking realistically.
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E-mail received today:
"To all Members of Essex County Cricket Club,
I would like to take this opportunity to bring you up to date with the current status on the Ground Development at Chelmsford.
As you know we successfully completed the first phase of the Ground Development with MCD following the construction and sale of the Century House in 2015. Since then, despite giving MCD two extensions of time, MCD have been unable to provide us with a proposal for the development of the rest of the ground that was in line with the arrangements the Committee had previously agreed with them. Accordingly, 30 months after the completion of Century House, the agreement with MCD has come to an end and we have decided not to give MCD any further extensions of time.
In the meantime, we are looking at other opportunities to improve our facilities and will keep you updated as and when the Committee has something to report.
Your understanding and support is very much appreciated.
Regards,
John Faragher
Chairman
Essex County Cricket Club"
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in other words...
...
there's no news.
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Did anyone go to last night's Q and A session and if so could they update us re development and anything else mentioned?
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E-mail received today:
"To all Members of Essex County Cricket Club,
I would like to take this opportunity to bring you up to date with the current status on the Ground Development at Chelmsford.
As you know we successfully completed the first phase of the Ground Development with MCD following the construction and sale of the Century House in 2015. Since then, despite giving MCD two extensions of time, MCD have been unable to provide us with a proposal for the development of the rest of the ground that was in line with the arrangements the Committee had previously agreed with them. Accordingly, 30 months after the completion of Century House, the agreement with MCD has come to an end and we have decided not to give MCD any further extensions of time.
In the meantime, we are looking at other opportunities to improve our facilities and will keep you updated as and when the Committee has something to report.
Your understanding and support is very much appreciated.
Regards,
John Faragher
Chairman
Essex County Cricket Club"
Did anyone else get this? I didn’t.
What it says to me is that there’ll be no further development, and they’re wondering what to do with the half million or so they’ve made so far.
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I am all in favour of not getting into debt with grandiose schemes. However surely the pavilion could be rebuilt with better player facilities. It is frequently said by opposing players that the dressing rooms are tiny.
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I am all in favour of not getting into debt with grandiose schemes. However surely the pavilion could be rebuilt with better player facilities. It is frequently said by opposing players that the dressing rooms are tiny.
If the players carried a few less bats and gloves then maybe the dressing rooms would be ok.
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E-mail received today:
"To all Members of Essex County Cricket Club,
I would like to take this opportunity to bring you up to date with the current status on the Ground Development at Chelmsford.
As you know we successfully completed the first phase of the Ground Development with MCD following the construction and sale of the Century House in 2015. Since then, despite giving MCD two extensions of time, MCD have been unable to provide us with a proposal for the development of the rest of the ground that was in line with the arrangements the Committee had previously agreed with them. Accordingly, 30 months after the completion of Century House, the agreement with MCD has come to an end and we have decided not to give MCD any further extensions of time.
In the meantime, we are looking at other opportunities to improve our facilities and will keep you updated as and when the Committee has something to report.
Your understanding and support is very much appreciated.
Regards,
John Faragher
Chairman
Essex County Cricket Club"
Did anyone else get this? I didn’t.
What it says to me is that there’ll be no further development, and they’re wondering what to do with the half million or so they’ve made so far.
I have not received this either
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E-mail received Weds 19-00 hrs .
If the development is now only phased one of three complete, with the two other phases now unlikely, what have the club gained so far ?
Do they get a percentage rent of the current complete block ?
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E-mail received Weds 19-00 hrs .
If the development is now only phased one of three complete, with the two other phases now unlikely, what have the club gained so far ?
Do they get a percentage rent of the current complete block ?
I seem to recall being told there was £600,000 or so in a some form of seperate, development, account.
If development is stopped though, surely Chelmsford City Council have a dog in the fight, for example the take-over of the car park. And I thought Keiith Brown was being retained as a consultant, since ‘he knew all about it’!
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Pleased that's all been clarified!..........More confusion, prevarication and unanswered questions. Welcome to the dysfunctional little kingdom of No Change Essex.
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The Cricketer magazine are running a story on their website headed "Essex are the best run club".
https://www.thecricketer.com/Topics/bigcricketsurvey/big_cricket_survey_2018_essex_are_best-run_county,_while_most_clubs_get_high_approval_ratings.html
Not sure many on this site agree. :)
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Wonder how big the samples were is question one. I spent many years ‘evaluating’ promotional literature and gift horses' mouths always need to be looked into very carefully.
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Well at least we're not going bust. I fully support not going into debt over a grandiose project. I think things have improved in other ways under the current chairman. My only gripe is a lack of festival cricket. Personally I'd play a game on the road (or maybe a couple of 50 over games) maybe rotating Colchester, Southend and a sensible venue in metropolitan Essex.
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A sensible venue in Southend would also be nice.
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The Cricketer magazine are running a story on their website headed "Essex are the best run club".
https://www.thecricketer.com/Topics/bigcricketsurvey/big_cricket_survey_2018_essex_are_best-run_county,_while_most_clubs_get_high_approval_ratings.html
Not sure many on this site agree. :)
Yes but Glamorgan are the only club to make a profit net of ECB handouts. That's a key measure of being 'well run'.
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The Cricketer magazine are running a story on their website headed "Essex are the best run club".
https://www.thecricketer.com/Topics/bigcricketsurvey/big_cricket_survey_2018_essex_are_best-run_county,_while_most_clubs_get_high_approval_ratings.html
Not sure many on this site agree. :)
Yes but Glamorgan are the only club to make a profit net of ECB handouts. That's a key measure of being 'well run'.
Not that well run.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-44127750
Cardiff council has said it stands by its decision to write off millions owed to it by Glamorgan cricket club.
It wrote off £4.4m to ease the club's finances in 2015 and maintain a Test cricket ground in the city.
But the club's finances have since improved, partly due to a £2.5m deal with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), which stops the club bidding for Test matches.
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Yes but Glamorgan are the only club to make a profit net of ECB handouts. That's a key measure of being 'well run'.
Not that well run.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-44127750
Cardiff council has said it stands by its decision to write off millions owed to it by Glamorgan cricket club.
It wrote off £4.4m to ease the club's finances in 2015 and maintain a Test cricket ground in the city.
But the club's finances have since improved, partly due to a £2.5m deal with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), which stops the club bidding for Test matches.
Yes, but this was a disaster made by the ECB: irresponsibly pushing clubs to overspend on ground improvements, then finding they haven’t the matches to fill enough of these grounds. Glamorgan COuncil are not the only ones to write off debts for struggling test hosting counties.
Clearly, if this Sheffield Hallam research is to be believed, Glamorgan are in a better position - perhaps like Lanky they’ve sourced other income streams that don’t mean handouts?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/44170761
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A dream of mine would be to see England play an international at HQ, no matter what the format. Sadly as that would require a brand new pavilion, media centre and corporate facilities along with the capacity of the ground being doubled, I expect it will never happen but it is nice to dream. Maybe Alastair Cook can beg the ECB to schedule his last ever England match at Chelmsford against someone like Zimbabwe who no one cares about seeing live. As I said, one can dream.
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I'd like to know how much money we got from losing our car park. When you travel a distance to get to any match it is really a big loss for me not to be able to park for free at the ground [which was promised as part of Life membership], especially if you bring children with you.
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It’s also not getting any easier if one doesn’t walk that well any longer, but isn’t into ‘blue badge’ territory. It’s almost 20 or so minutes from the gate in Meteor Way to the gate at the ground. I don’t mind paying the £1 but I am beginning to resent the walk.
And having to walk up beside the car park and all the way back again doesn’t help!
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Mr Faragher’s email now to hand. I wonder why they go out in batches.
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Whilst not defending the Club, if they are having to pay Chelmsford Council for the use of Meteor Way then it is not unreasonable for them to charge a (nominal) parking fee for Members, compare to Kent where you pay , I think it's £10 to park or similar at The Rose Bowl & £1 isn't too bad, I do agree on the stupidity of walking all the way up beside the Club Car Park & then down again, surely something could have been done to make a short cut into the ground?
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Whilst not defending the Club, if they are having to pay Chelmsford Council for the use of Meteor Way then it is not unreasonable for them to charge a (nominal) parking fee for Members, compare to Kent where you pay , I think it's £10 to park or similar at The Rose Bowl & £1 isn't too bad, I do agree on the stupidity of walking all the way up beside the Club Car Park & then down again, surely something could have been done to make a short cut into the ground?
Agree; £1 for all day parking’s not a problem.
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I don't think I've used meteor way this year but a pound is find. I'm baffled how the car park next to the ground works. Does one have to pay on match days or is it the great and the good only?
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The car park next to the ground is for officials and sponsors with a limited number of places available for Premier Suite members on a first come first served basis. The car park is only available to officials and sponsors during televised matches.
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Thanks vim.