Members' Forum 10 November 2016

[Postman]

I thought it might be useful to do a quick summary-others who were there, please add/correct as appropriate. It was well attended, perhaps 70 or so?

(1) Rule changes-passed by very big majority. The chairman was not very informative about who might be on the Cricket Advisory Group except that they would be selceted "on a skills basis". The CEO indicated that anyone co-opted would have to be approved by the main committee "on a rolling 12 month basis", subject to an overall time limit which could be as long as 6 or even 9 years. Personally I find that worrying. In terms of the Cricket Advisory group, that could mean the whole present cricket committee plus old uncle G Saville and all being around for ever, although I hope that isn't the intention.

(2) Development. Nothing will happen until at least October next year. The club are still negotiating with the developers to find a viable debt free option for the next stages. The agreement ends in April 2018 and if there is still deadlock then, the profits on the block completed last year which are currently held in a blocked (escrow) account by the club's lawyers, would be released back to us.

(3) Mohammed Amir. There were a few rumblings from members but Irani's attitude was "he's done his time, give him a break".

(4) Other bowling options-we are "close" to a signing for the first half of the season, presumably an overseas player, to stay until Amir comes after the Champions Trophy.

(5) Ravi Bopara- has asked to give up the one day captaincy to concenrtate on his own form. RTD will captain in all formats with Westley as vice captain.

(6) Alastair Cook-we hope to have him for the first part of the season but as always it depends on the ECB and sometimes they only give us a few days notice of his availability

(7) James Foster- said to be available for all formats all season. As regards Wheater he was said by Irani and Silverwood to have approached us, not vice versa and it was not true that he had come on the understanding that he would be first choice keeper.

( Day/night- we will probably have a home day/night CC game though not yet certain (fixtures due out in about 14 days) but the WI match will be all-day.

(9) Colchester-still not decided if we will be there-talks ongoing with Colchester Council to see if they will contribute (or contribute more?) to costs. Unlikely to be resolved by the time the fixtures come out so one match cold be "TBC" as regards venue.

(10) T 20 bash etc. The chairman gave a very strong statement against the current City based plans, the club will oppose any format that encroaches on the CC. There will be a CEO's meeting next week and a chairmen's meeting early next month when things may develop further. We are in favour of a two-division T20 for all counties with promotion and relegation-not three divisions of 6, which would reduce our home games.

(11) Next season CC rules-there will be no change to the new toss rules. Silverwood thought they had benefited us, both home and away.

(12) Olympic Stadium-the CEO thought the chances of playing there were only 50/50 and said the authorities seem to be preoccupied with other issues (what could he have meant??)

(13) Next season-ambition is to win Division 1 not just survive!

[Slogger]

Wasn't Redbridge council refusing to subsidise the festival the reason given for terminating Valentines Park? Blaming the council is a useful excuse, especially when the council hasn't got any money!

[essexfan548]

Thanks postman - really helpful to those of us who are in exile.

[Andy]

Excellent summary. Thanks.

[IlfordEagle]

Very informative, Thank You for that.

[bwildered]

Much appreciated - Thanks Postman .

[Postman]

Thanks folks. One thing I forgot-John Faragher said he hoped to have some forums during the season next year at lunchtime. Strikes me as a good idea, but I would suggest we use either the marquee, or one of the hospitality suites, when they aren't in use. Otherwise it all gets in the way of people trying to get drinks, food or use the loos.

[squarelegumpire]

Thank you Postman. Much appreciated, and TBH, I found considerable cause for optimism. Unlike you I don't see the Cricket Advisory as being likely to have the Old Guard aboard; I get the impression that Faragher and Irani have run a bit of a palace revolution and there won't be a return of once-upon-a-time faces.
On the development, many here have criticised the previous arrangements and expressed concerns over viability. I suggest that the renegotiation, as described by Postman, confirms my 'palace revolution' theory.

On the cricketing points ..... seems fair enough. I always thought Amir was, like Westwood, somewhat of a fall guy, persauded into it by what he thought of as his elders and betters. Not surprised at either the Foster or the Wheater reports; TBH I've always thought that Fosters next employers would champ at the bit a little over paying him to do something else, so 'said to be available' probably means exactly what it says. And Hampshire came looking for Wheater after he very nearly took a game away from them!
 
Very much like the strong statement on t20 Bash, and not surprised at those on both Colchester and the Olympic Stadium.

And I really like the idea of lunch-time forums, so long as the Chairman doesn't let them get bogged down with whatever is the current state of play.

Again, thank you Postman.

Posted from Thailand, in what would, in UK be almost ideal cricketing weather. Sunny, blue skies, little breeze, if a trifle hot, at around 30deg C.

[Daren Mootoo]

I was present on Thursday evening and what struck me most was the air of confidence and optimism at the club. In the past, the various panels at these forums have been defensive and dare I say, misleading in their handling of events. With the Ronnie and Johnnie "palace revolution" underway, a breath of fresh air pervades. The Cricket Advisory concept is very interesting and it shows a recognition of the club to move away from the old-fashioned approach taken by the executive at the club and I for one shall be following this very closely.   

[firehazard]

Thanks for a good an informative summary. It does sound refreshingly positive, though the lack of a decision on the Colchester may affect membership sales among those for whom its the favourite venue, at least until it's resolved.