Membership 2014 prices released

[stickyboy]

http://www.essexcricket.org.uk/2013/11/04/become-essex-member-2014-prices-packages/

I am a full member and pay by direct debit which is now £149 (was £145 last year)

So for £4 extra this season compared to last will get 2 LESS one-day games as previously there was 6 home 40 over games compared to 4 of the new 50 over games.

Last year we had the 4 days England game, this year we have 1 day against Sri Lanka

So I make 5 less days cricket for the membership although we now get a free yearbook to save £2

Looks like an even poorer deal to me unless they give better 20/20 discounts

[gingerbird]

Looking at the list of benefits makes interesting reading - "free entry to festival matches, 2nd XI". Last time I looked 2nd XI matches were free to everyone and festival matches are the same as a home game unless they are now trying to convince us that we are getting more benefits so it makes it worthwhile to renew.

[Mog]

My guess is that the Club gained a number of new members, especially in the junior category solely due to the England match this year. With nothing approaching that in 2014, together with a reduction in one-day cricket, to a longer and much less popular duration...which will not be played on a Sunday, I would suggest the membership rate should be frozen at the very least.
Of course, members will have to make their own value judgement, based on the (dis)regard ECCC and their ruling regime have for and place on County Championship cricket.
Looking at the advertising blurb for 2014 membership, it strikes me a brain storming session to list the benefits quickly became one of desperation at Fortress Chelmsford © for No Change Essex.
I'm still laughing at this gem from the aforementioned; "Priced at £149 this is value for money and includes a host of other benefits which can be seen below."
Surely if it is then people would quickly recognise its fantastic value without have it inarticulately inserted.

[cashless]

Basically a little more money for less days cricket. No mention of one day only memberships for the 50 over and twenty-twenty matches. Must be too difficult to work out.

[sufcessex]

I've just spoken to a yorkshire fan who was moaning that their membership which has gone up to £166 which includes T20.

You can buy a seperate T20 membership but not a seperate membership for 4 day cricket.

[nat]

Well I'm minded to resign my membership in protest at the way the club is run but the proposed EGM is muddying the waters. It is clear that any EGM will occur in 2014 and so current members would need to renew in order to be eligible to vote.

The EGM-supporting members need to get our skates on to organise it if we are to have any impact pre the 2014 season.

[stickyboy]

maybe someone from Essex could expand on these great new benefits - aside from the now free yearbook (was £2) i cant see anything else

[firehazard]

Well I'm minded to resign my membership in protest at the way the club is run but the proposed EGM is muddying the waters. It is clear that any EGM will occur in 2014 and so current members would need to renew in order to be eligible to vote.

The EGM-supporting members need to get our skates on to organise it if we are to have any impact pre the 2014 season.

Yes indeed. I've been thinking the same way, but even though I almost certainly can't attend any EGM, I'd need to continue my membership to keep voting rights (for committee or anything else that arises).

Apart from that, and given the dearth of parking at the County Ground, this year's package looks disappointing. Was expecting a few more sweeteners.

[IlfordEagle]

This years booklet of so called benefits looked fine - if you live in or around Chelmsford which I don't (25 miles away in Ilford), hopefully that of 2014 will include more local offers, we shall see.
I agree with other posters that the cost of Membership should at least have been frozen especially with a bit less cricket to watch at home next year.

[Observer]

One of the more useful 'perks' of membership in the past was being able to use the members car park during non match days for shopping in Chelmsford etc.

This perk was gradually withdrawn, initially by only allowing members in after 10.30am and latterly stopping the perk totally by making the car park 'permit only' which attracted the local business communities staff, for a fee of course.

I appreciate the car park is no longer available due to development but this is just another example of how members privileges have been gradually reduced over time.

[cashless]

This years booklet of so called benefits looked fine - if you live in or around Chelmsford which I don't (25 miles away in Ilford.

I live further away and found that I couldn't use the vouchers for a bite to eat in Chelmsford on matchdays. (The only time I went to Chelmsford).

[sufcessex]

i know i've seen the figure somewhere but can't remember where so i'll ask here.

Does anyone know how many members there were in 2013 and was this up or down on the previous year?

[eastsax]

Does anyone know how many members there were in 2013 and was this up or down on the previous year?

As I remember Membership for 2013 was around the 6000 mark. Not sure, but I think it was up on the previous year ?

[LeedsExile]

My Yorkshire membership has risen from £150 to £195 which is the cheapest available paying by direct debit. I do take advantage of the free rugby tickets worth £34 and a discount on the yearbook. There will also be free scorecards(£1) this year. So in my case it is still good value.

It is a hefty rise and the cause of much moaning on the White Rose Forum, which incidentally has just been removed from the official site in the same way that Essex have done.

It seems counties are less happy to engage with their customers these days.

[cashless]

Sussex are offering one day membership to cover all the YB50 and T20 games for £120. Why can't Essex do similar. Last year Middlesex done a £110 membership for people more than 60 miles (straight line crow flight) away from Lords.