Members Forum 30th July

[essexfan548]

Another forum tomorrow - questions invited.

"You are invited to join us ahead of the new 2020 campaign for a special pre-season Forum, alongside members of the Club Committee, Head Coach Anthony McGrath and Captain, Tom Westley.

This will be a chance to hear further information on Membership for 2020/21 seasons, plus find out the latest updates from the playing squad before the opening match of the season this weekend."

[bwildered]

Main Points .

Still no entry to Red or White ball games at Chelmsford , taking Goverment and ECB guidance , no guarantee to Heath and Safety at present .

Bob Willis Trophy final date - 1st week Oct possibly Lords .

No refunds -Memberships packs going out with options.
Live streaming this season plus Blast tickets / Guest tickets for next / shop vouchers .
20% discount on next seasons membership .
Membership 3,889 - 5th highest so refund puts severe hole finances .
Contact details released if in severe difficulties .
Cannot donate this season membership for gift aid has not charity status .

Players training condensed from 6 to 4 weeks , opportunity knocks for youngers to get places.
Simon Harmer requires ten years to qualify for England .

[Captain Slaphead]

Desperately poor "offer"  ; hope the Committee are going to be held to account come re-election time!

[Perov]

So basically for a normal member £197 this year for no cricket and( if no increase) with 20% discount it will be £157 for next season.

In effect members are expected to shell out £354 for a seasons cricket ..(if we are allowed to attend in 2021). Hmmm.

[vim]

There are also the Premier and Corporate members who not only have had no cricket they have paid £250 more with no chance of the hospitality and use of their facilities.

I would describe this as a rip off and the management need to be brought to account by EGM.

Anyone with me, or is everyone spineless.

[nat]

There are also the Premier and Corporate members who not only have had no cricket they have paid £250 more with no chance of the hospitality and use of their facilities.

I would describe this as a rip off and the management need to be brought to account by EGM.

Anyone with me, or is everyone spineless.

Take them to the (small claims) court. You're certain to win.

[nat]

And don't listen to any claims from the club that they can't afford it. The club can easily afford it but choose not to.

[vim]

I thought about the small claims court. I then thought just forget and walk away and do not come back until there are major changes in who is running the club.

This recent shutdown has proved what I said in the past that it would not take a very long time to forget about the club and all the personalities.

Has the club now seen how many Yearbooks were returned by Royal Mail?

[pablo]

In my innocence i assumed with no live cricket to watch this year my membership will be carried over to next. So basically i have given the club £165 of my money for nothing other than a pin and an on line link. This is outrageous. if I had waited to renew in March i wouldn't have bothered due to the prevailing circumstances and I would be quids iin. Surely this is taking our money under false pretences. Is it even legal ? I'm speechless.

[Captain Slaphead]

Anyone with me, or is everyone spineless.

I'd be in ; how many do we need?

[vim]

I believe that it is at least 5% of the voting membership. Any organisation if it looks anyway likely to succeed would buy the membership off. An EGM does cost money. There have been threats in the past usually over playing and coaching performances. On this subject it may well have legs.

[angusbythesea]

How many members won't join next year out of principle. Members must be offered a refund or choice of 2021 membership.

[Caughtright]

Absolutely not. ECCC is not run badly, it I know from personal experience that it is run by people who care and worry about ECCC, and it has been hit by a catastrophe not of its own making. It needs money. I am content for my subscription to count as a donation to keep my county cricket club functioning, so that it can continue to employ decent cricketers and indeed just exist. I am unlikely to watch Essex live this season but I do not mind. I am a pensioner and not wealthy. I was also born in the county and so I care profoundly whether ECCC survives. Gentlemen, please reconsider, and desist from this destructive hostility.

[essexfan548]

I've trawled through other counties websites to see what they are doing - not complete but the best I can do. Please post corrections or updates:
Derbyshire: refund if they notify club by 14th August
Durham: options range from a full refund, to donation of the membership fee
Essex: no refund
Glamorgan: membership asked if they would prefer to donate their subscription to the club or receive a refund, with nearly 90% of respondents so far generously donating their 2020 fees to the Club.
Gloucestershire: Donate or rollover to next season
Kent: tbd
Lancashire: asking members to donate their 2020 fee
Leicestershire: Donate your 2020 membership or Defer your 2020 Membership or Receive a Refund on your 2020 Membership
Middlesex: tbd
Northamptonshire: Donate, roll over or refund [also option to put toward upgrade to Lifetime season ticket]
Nottinghamshire: tbd
Somerset: No refund
Surrey: tbd
Sussex: tbd
Warwickshire: donate or refund
Worcestershire: offering a digital subscription, roll over or refund
Yorkshire: tbd

[Perov]

I thought we would just get the membership carried over to next season.

They have had the membership money in the bank, saved on wages by having the Government pay under the furlough scheme and perhaps the small business payments,  and not had to  pay out for stewards or free lunches for the committee.

I would not expect to get a refund this season, but only 20% off  next season seems to be taking the ........mickey.