Members ballot

[Suffolk Richard]

If the franchise / city format in the hundred is successful. Unfortunately for me in the long term, I think these teams will also play first class cricket and England players will be picked from them.  The counties which survive will effectively play a county championship but as a second tier competition.

We have long known that. That is why every supporter of county cricket needs to oppose the '100' competition. Don't watch it, support it, write about it.

If all members followed your suggestion Nat, it might hold it up for a few years. However father time catches up with us all, which maybe is what the authorities are counting on. What we need to do now is a drive to get youngesters interested in county cricket long before they reach secondary school age. So they stay interested in the 4 day game,when they won't have much time to actually see it.

[Postman]

It's the AGM on Tuesday so why don't we all have a moan re the ridiculous 200 limit?

I've had no paperwork about that ...

That's the  date shown in the Membership Guide-6pm, admittedly however we've not had a Zoom link nor seen the accounts yet so perhaps it will be put back. It's interesting also that we haven't had a Members Forum since the end of March.

[essexfan548]

It's the AGM on Tuesday so why don't we all have a moan re the ridiculous 200 limit?

I've had no paperwork about that ...

That's the  date shown in the Membership Guide-6pm, admittedly however we've not had a Zoom link nor seen the accounts yet so perhaps it will be put back. It's interesting also that we haven't had a Members Forum since the end of March.

I'd expect more than just the date as rules changes were mentioned ...

[Markwhy]

I purchased a ticket for the Saturday of the Surry Middlesex game a couple of weeks ago as I was desperate to see any cricket.Went into Ballot here as well but thought I would guarantee some cricket.No mention of having to wear a mask or arrive at certain times and was informed that food and drink would be available.Seemed much more relaxed than we are!!

[LeedsExile]

I heard on commentary yesterday that Kent are allowing 900 into Canterbury for their first match.

[Crisp]

Just to add salt into the wounds, Surrey 2s are playing Hampshire 2s at New Malden next week and its open to anyone.

Interesting to see what happens at Garons the week after went Kent 2s visit, my guess is behind closed doors?

[mawallace]

Heard this evening that I've got a ticket for the Saturday of the Warwickshire match.

[nat]

Heard this evening that I've got a ticket for the Saturday of the Warwickshire match.

Time to hire your hazmat suit then. Enjoy.

[SirChef26]

Ominous press conference from Boris earlier pretty much admitting that the chances of a June 21st reopening are slim. Got to fear for the club financially if that date gets pushed back. If we're losing 15k a day letting a few hundred members in, then we're in big trouble. Might have a take out a loan to survive and it must raise a question mark over contracts of key players like Harmer at the end of the season as well...

I said at the time not moving the Blast back to September was a huge mistake. I suspect the cost of that mistake will be felt very harshly by Essex.

[brazilianglen]

Crisp

What is the source of your info re New Malden please?

Some weeks ago on their Twitter page, Essex said their 2nd Xi games all season would be behind closed doors

[Crisp]

Brazilianglen, I am good mates with a Surrey member and he told me this was open to all.

I emailed Surrey and they replied confirming that the game was open to the public.

[stewyww]

Ominous press conference from Boris earlier pretty much admitting that the chances of a June 21st reopening are slim. Got to fear for the club financially if that date gets pushed back. If we're losing 15k a day letting a few hundred members in, then we're in big trouble. Might have a take out a loan to survive and it must raise a question mark over contracts of key players like Harmer at the end of the season as well...

I said at the time not moving the Blast back to September was a huge mistake. I suspect the cost of that mistake will be felt very harshly by Essex.

If we are losing 15k a day letting a few hundred members in, then I would question the club's efficiencies. Did they look into voluntary stewarding for instance?
All I know is if Canterbury can take in 900 a day whereas we are limiting it to 200, then it is either that we are being ludicrously risk averse, or we are paying well over the odds on safety measures and the like.

[Perov]

Stewards get paid minimum wage, so for a 10 hour day it would be less than £100 per steward.
So 20 on duty (which would be excessive), would only cost £2,000.
With other staff like camera operators, food sales, etc, I can't see why it costs more than £5,000 maximum.
Groundstaff would already be paid, (spectators or no spectators),  and  it just seems that because members have already coughed up.  the club is being lazy, and doing the minimum required.
At least 600 could be admitted and still be in a safe environment.

[LeedsExile]

They said on commentary today that the problem at Chelmsford is the narrow walkways. It is very hard to keep people safely distant. With the new rise in covid cases caution has to be the way for now however disappointing.

[Shenfield Eagle]

Think you are being a bit harsh on the club, this limit would have been set by the local council and the various parties (safety advisory group, police, public health director for Essex etc) that input into the granting of the safety certificate that allows for spectators to enter the ground.

If we can demonstrate that we comply with all the protocols with 200 in the ground, hopefully it will be raised for the next CC game.