2020 General Committee Election

[Daren Mootoo]

For info, the process for the election of general committee members for 2020 is now underway. Deadline for candidates is February 1st, with ballot papers going out to members in due course. The results are usually announced in time for the AGM.

[nat]

For info, the process for the election of general committee members for 2020 is now underway. Deadline for candidates is February 1st, with ballot papers going out to members in due course. The results are usually announced in time for the AGM.

I have read one or two articles recently extolling the benefits of counties converting to limited companies a la Northants. How long will it be before, say, Essex, does the same?

[vim]

Who is going to do the Lt Cdr William Boakes RN Rtd impression?

[essexfan548]

I have read one or two articles recently extolling the benefits of counties converting to limited companies a la Northants. How long will it be before, say, Essex, does the same?

Wouldn't members have to agree? Northants went bust ...

[nat]

I have read one or two articles recently extolling the benefits of counties converting to limited companies a la Northants. How long will it be before, say, Essex, does the same?

Wouldn't members have to agree? Northants went bust ...

Many more years like 2018 (£400k loss) and so will we.

[vim]

Looking back at the accounts from the 1980's when interest rates were a lot higher than today. The club had so much in their accumulated fund that they were nearly able to give everyone free membership and let non members in for free.

[Peter Edwards]

Dear all. I am a long-standing member having started going to the ground to watch Goochie with my dad in the 1990s and am interested in standing for your committee. The club is doing well on and off the pitch but are there changes you would like to see? I have a few ideas (another look at whether festival cricket can be afforded, a few more Comms with members) but keen to hear your views. Peter

[nat]

Well if you think the club is doing well off the pitch then you don't have my vote.

[Peter Edwards]

Nat - what are your top two concerns?

[Slogger]

In no particular order I'd say:

The ground is tired and needs re-development, especially on the pavilion side. A new and big pavilion could incorporate executive boxes, a decent members bar (club prices too), restaurant and elevated viewing areas along with better facilities for players and umpires

I miss festival cricket  even if we had one week a year which rotated around the county that would be something (maybe look at Leyton, Southend and Colchester)

I'm quite impressed with Mr Faragher and his interaction with members - that's something that has improved.

[Postman]

In no particular order I'd say:

The ground is tired and needs re-development, especially on the pavilion side. A new and big pavilion could incorporate executive boxes, a decent members bar (club prices too), restaurant and elevated viewing areas along with better facilities for players and umpires

I miss festival cricket  even if we had one week a year which rotated around the county that would be something (maybe look at Leyton, Southend and Colchester)

I'm quite impressed with Mr Faragher and his interaction with members - that's something that has improved.

I agree with Slogger's last point. If the club became a plc and members became season ticket holders, there would be no constitutional link between them and management, and the club would risk becoming the plaything of a single large shareholder. We already have legal limited liability because the club is an industrial and provident society- so nobody could sue a member for more than the £1 subscribed for their share. Best keep things as they are.

[nat]

Nat - what are your top two concerns?

Well in no particular order...
...
Financial sobriety
Ground re-development
Better spectator/member relations
Better/higher profile relationships with non-Test match grounds to help safeguard the county championship

[Slogger]

Nat's fourth point is well made in my opinion. It's less about the administration of the club and more about pursuing the longer term interests of the sport, especially in Essex. I've always found the fixation of the ECB on big cities a bit odd. Apart from football most major spectator sports (especially the two rugby codes) aren't predominantly based in big cities. There are big city teams but also teams based in the sorts of towns where county cricket is played. When I go to test matches in London I get the sense that most of the crowd has travelled in from the home counties.

[Peter Edwards]

Thanks for comments above - a lot of sense here. To take a few points:
- I wouldn't change the company structure.
- agree the need for financial sobriety given the horror stories else where in county cricket finance. Essex officials have done a lot to highlight our favourable position on debt Vs other counties.
- improving the information and comms with members is essential and also done relatively easily. It's something I've mentioned in my statement for the committee election. There have been steps forward but I have worked as a reporter and doing comms and believe the club could do a little more on this front.
- I loved festival cricket and have happy memories or Colchester and both Southend grounds (although Garon's Park travel was difficult). The club have said it cannot work financially unless there is a four day game and a one day game... Alternatively could we try to leverage the on-field success to get a major Colchester or Southend firm to act as sponsor?
- keen to hear further views on relations with other non-Test grounds.

[essexfan548]

I like the Q&As but there have been issues :

* drunken Surrey supports [?2018] shouting out and making it hard to hear - microphones are needed
* 2019 [Surrey match] - moving it on the day to after the match - I could not stay.

In general they need to be on a match day.

Better website - a members only section - information to be updated more regularly

I agree with other points about keeping Essex CCC as a Member club - we must not be side-lined because we don't have a 16.4 team.