Update

[golden duck]

Did anyone attend Chairman's Q & A session during lunchtime on Sunday during Lancashire ?

... and I would say at least 75% were 50 years or older, that is not sustainable anymore than bish, bash, bosh. Tricky!

Why unsustainable? The population is ageing and they are the group with the most money to spend. I would have thought going after the grey pound was a sound business objective.

We need to stop being defeatist about CC cricket. With a little effort more people could be attracted to watch CC cricket.

I just don't see a way forward for CC beyond this latest generation of players. I looked around the Q&A session yesterday and thought 'how many here will see out the careers of Beard and Lawrence' (yes I know that is the extreme of defeatist). Attendance for this attractive fixture in the sun topped out at 2000 on Friday. That is not enough to sustain a professional sports team. I think my gripe is with what I believe is a unrealistic and slightly snooty attitude to the 'bish bash bosh', I didn't agree with the massed head nodding when it was referred to as such. I love proper cricket but sadly not enough do and I don't see that changing, so what happens in 20 years when that top crowd is 500 rather than 2000? Think it is more sad than defeatist but I really hope you are right and the CC has a great future.

[jimmy]

I doubt there will be any "proper cricket" in 20 years. I'm trying to think of a comparison, is there a sport no longer played that was once very popular ? T20 does not and will not help other forms of the game survive, the big question is will T20 survive as it is built on the attendance of people who have no real interest in the game and treat it as a once in a blue moon distraction and bit of fun, a break from watching the sports they do care about.

[nat]

I doubt there will be any "proper cricket" in 20 years. I'm trying to think of a comparison, is there a sport no longer played that was once very popular ? T20 does not and will not help other forms of the game survive, the big question is will T20 survive as it is built on the attendance of people who have no real interest in the game and treat it as a once in a blue moon distraction and bit of fun, a break from watching the sports they do care about.

T20 is the equivalent of baseball. It could survive in its own right.

[Andy]

Problem with T20 is that it's seen as the panacea for other problems - lack of FTA coverage and the decline of schools cricket being at the forefront.  TBH I see T20 as the replacement for the 40 over game because the latter was very much seen as a 'populist' move back in 1969, but was the driver for improved incomes for counties and eventually players.

Agree that the generation of players we have now has to be persevered with - we need the returnees to return to form especially as Chef is hors de combat. We might see Fossie back, Wheater must see he's basically been cast aside by Hants and we might have to look for a younger keeper with Fossie filling-in this year. I'd prefer to see AW improve but Blenkstein's words were troubling.

[huttoneagle]

Golden Duck's summary of the Q&A, was very accurate.

I think we all agree that T20 is here to stay, what we are objecting to is the creation of 8 artificial city based teams. Sport is about supporting a local side/county and following them over a lifetime highs and lows.

If (or should it be when) the city franchise starts who are you going to follow/support? You can imagine the scenario where Essex players are playing for different franchise's, who do you support?

A number of years ago the ECB dropped the 40 over completion to have a strong 50 over domestic competition " to enable players to be prepared for the 50 over world cup". That seems to have gone out of the window now, with the 50 over completion nothing more 2nd rate completion for the players that don't pick up a city franchise contract.

[nat]

Golden Duck's summary of the Q&A, was very accurate.

I think we all agree that T20 is here to stay, what we are objecting to is the creation of 8 artificial city based teams. Sport is about supporting a local side/county and following them over a lifetime highs and lows.

If (or should it be when) the city franchise starts who are you going to follow/support? You can imagine the scenario where Essex players are playing for different franchise's, who do you support?

A number of years ago the ECB dropped the 40 over completion to have a strong 50 over domestic competition " to enable players to be prepared for the 50 over world cup". That seems to have gone out of the window now, with the 50 over completion nothing more 2nd rate completion for the players that don't pick up a city franchise contract.

In other words ... the ECB (aka Strauss) don't know what they're doing.

[golden duck]

One point I forgot in my original post. Existing T20 Blast will continue. I think it was said this will be before the  new T20 and will have 2 fewer games. Not sure if that was 2 fewer home games or 2 fewer in total. Tis a lot of T20 for sure!
Good points well made from Hutton Eagle, despite one or two of my posts reading like I support City cricket..I don't..well unless there is a team at Stratford and it benefits Essex

[nat]

..., despite one or two of my posts reading like I support City cricket..I don't..well unless there is a team at Stratford and it benefits Essex

That's the problem with this attitude, the ECB are seeking to divide and rule.

[jimmy]

I doubt there will be any "proper cricket" in 20 years. I'm trying to think of a comparison, is there a sport no longer played that was once very popular ? T20 does not and will not help other forms of the game survive, the big question is will T20 survive as it is built on the attendance of people who have no real interest in the game and treat it as a once in a blue moon distraction and bit of fun, a break from watching the sports they do care about.

T20 is the equivalent of baseball. It could survive in its own right.

I understand what you are saying but I think T20 is well short of baseball standard. Baseball attempts an even contest between bat and ball, pitchers are allowed to be highly skilled rather that set up to be fodder for batsmen and baseball values its own traditions whereas cricket authorities seem to want to wipe all trace of tradition off the map. I for one would not hesitate to go to a baseball game but I would avoid a T20 game like the plague. At the risk of offending people again T20 is kids cricket compared to the first class game, the inns by Dan Lawrence today is an example of the kind of mental and physical stamina and technique that a T20 specialist simply does not have. The less you are required to do the less you will eventually be able to do.

[Perov]

Regrettably, cricket reflects today's society.
Why put in the hard work, and dedication needed to play the long form of the game when you can become a millionaire overnight by opting for the T/20 circus.
More money for less work, is always going to be attractive to the majority, and that will not change.

I can see County cricket becoming semi pro in the next 10 years as the T/20 world circus takes all the best players, but I also think the ECB plans, which may be successful in the first year or so, will be a flop, and fail to get the extra crowds they expect.
That will lead to huge financial problems in the English game as  County, and Minor County clubs rely on ECB funding.
Difficult times ahead.

[IlfordEagle]

I'd disagree entirely Nat.  With respect, the OAP members generally, bring a packed lunch, a flask of tea and rarely go near the bar unless its to use the ablutions or to refill the flask.  Not all, but many.

Most of them are life members who bought their package many years ago, and the club gets little  annualised income.

The age group you really want to get after are the 40+ group, who will pay an annual membership, use the bars, buy t20 tickets and bring their kids along.

Whilst not (quite) an OAP I love T20 but only alongside CC etc, yes I do bring my own food & drink (the choices at the Club whilst ok are not exactly Cordon Bleu & generally overpriced especially for 1 day games), I cannot afford Life Membership but happily pay my annual Membership (well my Son & Daughter do actually - they like to see me suffer for my enjoyment!!), I am also teetotal so buying alcohol isn't in my brief. Whatever is said about the older fans we all follow Essex faithfully & loyally & actually understand the game unlike many of the so called fans who come to T20 etc, if we  all stop coming for any reason then like other Counties we will lose a steady stream of income. I do agree that the 40 ish age group needs to be cultivated but also Schools need to be actively encouraged to play cricket to get the youngsters interested & the Counties need to play their part in that.

[squarelegumpire]

I'd disagree entirely Nat.  With respect, the OAP members generally, bring a packed lunch, a flask of tea and rarely go near the bar unless its to use the ablutions or to refill the flask.  Not all, but many.

Most of them are life members who bought their package many years ago, and the club gets little  annualised income.

The age group you really want to get after are the 40+ group, who will pay an annual membership, use the bars, buy t20 tickets and bring their kids along.

As an OAP: Line by line; yes I bring a packed lunch...... not keen on the pavilion food and as for the Spinners Bar, the less said the better However I ‘bought' an Essex plastic pint ‘glass’ a year or so ago so I have that refilled. Not as often as I’d like to, though, particulrly when I have to drive home! Nor am I keen on beer out of plastic, although it doesn’t seem to harm cider. Fortunately, on a warm day!

TBH I don’t see a lot of gold lanyards round where I sit. Some to be sure, but my wife and I pay annually, as do many of our neighbours..

Absolutely agree about getting after the 40 or so’s, but my ‘some time ago’ experience as someone who organised professional continuing courses is that the demands on many working people, both men and women are much greater now than in my day, when we could finish work and go home. And that’s not only the ‘professional’ or white collar people; all sorts of peop[le have to undergo revalidation processes. So I agree about the need for Friday starts, or indeed Saturday ones and, as far as possible, play in the evenings.

[Blocky]

Ilford, I'm not sure it says anywhere in my comments that you shouldn't be allowed to attend mate!  And I'm very aware that the older members follow the team and put the mileage in.  I'd do the same if I wasn't here getting some cash back for the taxpayer to contribute to your pensions.. 

The point I'm making is that our older membership will decrease and we need to bring in the younger age groups. 

Square..agree mate.  Sorry I didn't get to pop up to the TPU and say hello on Saturday.

Anyone going to Taunton?  Mrs Blocky has given permission for a Saturday Jolly so I may well crack on down the M4...

[nat]

Ilford, I'm not sure it says anywhere in my comments that you shouldn't be allowed to attend mate!  And I'm very aware that the older members follow the team and put the mileage in.  I'd do the same if I wasn't here getting some cash back for the taxpayer to contribute to your pensions.. 

The point I'm making is that our older membership will decrease and we need to bring in the younger age groups. 

Square..agree mate.  Sorry I didn't get to pop up to the TPU and say hello on Saturday.

Anyone going to Taunton?  Mrs Blocky has given permission for a Saturday Jolly so I may well crack on down the M4...

I am but I will keep my cloak of anonymity.

[pieinthesky]

Ilford, I'm not sure it says anywhere in my comments that you shouldn't be allowed to attend mate!  And I'm very aware that the older members follow the team and put the mileage in.  I'd do the same if I wasn't here getting some cash back for the taxpayer to contribute to your pensions.. 

The point I'm making is that our older membership will decrease and we need to bring in the younger age groups. 

Square..agree mate.  Sorry I didn't get to pop up to the TPU and say hello on Saturday.

Anyone going to Taunton?  Mrs Blocky has given permission for a Saturday Jolly so I may well crack on down the M4...

Will older members not naturally be replaced? Many of working age who play cricket say when retried they will get a  membership and spend a lot of time at the cricket. Yes the membership is old but to me it seems it will naturally replace itself, and you will never get the younger member in on a regular basis for 4 day cricket due to time constraints at the weekend. FTA would help at a stroke as children will badger parents to take them to cricket.