Ground Development

[squarelegumpire]

http://www.essexcricket.org.uk/2014/11/03/members-consultation-event-november-25th/

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Due to limited space ?
What is that all about ?

Big model of site in the room?
Packed with “suits” explaining things?
Large Table with free drinks?

[Mog]

http://www.essexcricket.org.uk/2014/11/03/members-consultation-event-november-25th/

.         
Due to limited space ?
What is that all about ?

Big model of site in the room?
Packed with “suits” explaining things?
Large Table with free drinks?

Well, reading between the usual telegraphed lines of the Club; Limited space equates to "we want as few people there asking awkward questions as possible" - making the CEO have to gen up on a training jolly with the alleged 'developers' and justify the supposed reason for his appointment and number one priority of his role.

Note the day of the week and time of the year too! Another old tactic from those forward thinking innovators at ECCC! 
Be warned the whole exercise will be well defended by glossy marketing speak, obfuscating in an attempt to answer as few pertinent questions as humanly possible and blame everyone but their own incompetence for the fact that this redevelopment has been around, as long as Grayson's tenure as head coach but has achieved even less.

Seriously although I am debarred as I'm not a member, if anyone who is thinking of attending this event would like to pick my brains over sports ground redevelopment then feel free to message me on here.

[essexfan548]

Disgraceful.

Date and time chosen to be as unfriendly as possible to the maximum number of members.

We should all be sent a detailed REPORT on what is going on. A consultation should involve all members not just those who are free to get there on a Monday evening in November.

With the need to e-mail and bring membership anyone would be thinking this is a meeting of MI5.

[Starfish]

Evening,

We have scheduled the meeting at the start of the week as we feel more people will be able to attend before the Christmas celebrations and parties etc.

WE do want Members to attend and to share their questions, queries or comments. We are asking people to confirm their attendance so we can ensure we know numbers and can better plan room layout.

Thanks, Danny

[bobw]

If the maximum coverage of membership is the aim then why not all day on a Saturday or Sunday?

[essexfan548]

Exactly bobw - this is something Danny has promised in the past and never delivered.

It's a really important topic and a Monday evening on a dark winter's evening is not the right time ...

I just don't believe they REALLY want people to attend at all.

Members deserve a detailed mailing about what is going on - no more excuses!

[afinetickletoleg]

Exactly bobw - this is something Danny has promised in the past and never delivered.

A bit harsh to blame Danny; you try getting these people to give up a Saturday or Sunday.

[Mog]

What I would suggest the Club and its development partner should be looking to instigate is a county wide County Ground Redevelopment roadshow, with events staged in the traditional (albeit sadly now largely former festival venues); Southend, Ilford, Colchester as well as Chelmsford.
The budget and contingency for this flat lining project should have a contingency budget built into it....although of course this is ECCC here!
Under the Peter Edwards regime, I believe any such high profile project such as this proposal - because that's all the 'redevelopment' actually is right now - fundamental to the Club and its future, would have followed this path. By doing so it would show some engagement with members and be prepared to take it to their locality. It would further be an implicit admission that actually by never bothering to engage in the first place the Club clearly misjudged the project and now they finally (belatedly) want to consult, they have to be inclusive and just a little bit contrite. How difficult is it? Really?

Unfortunately, the message coming out loud and clear currently is, "we are begrudgingly prepared to suffer so-called supporters who have the audacity to question us and ask difficult questions, so therefore, we'll throw you this 'concession' but it will all be on our terms and conditions".

[Blocky]

Mog, I will ask for a place so feel free to drop me a list of things you want asked at the event.  It is unlikely that i will be kept quiet

 

[Andy]

Heresey, I know, but were things much different under the Edwards regime? I mean, the cricketing world (nationally and internationally) was arguably much less hostile to 'smaller' clubs like ECCC (by which I mean non-test hosting) with no IPL/BBL competition for domestic & international pros who weren't on lucrative central contracts.

There is a need for informed dialogue, and certain arguments on here suggest not all understand the realpolitik of 21st century cricket - particularly the implications for County Cricket as a 'brand' in itself. The club is rather stuck in a situation whereby it loses out to the 'big boys' - although I acknowledge that recurring mistakes are made (cronyism in particular) which prevents us from becoming another Sussex, for example.

[Slogger]

Andy at the risk of being repetitive I'll share an anecdote concerning Mr Edwards. My wife bought me a birthday present in 1996 - a day in the Yorkshire committee room for a day of Yorks v Essex. We lived in Pudsey at the time. Laurence Byford was the Yorks president then and Mr and Mrs Edwards were also there. Yorkshire were in the throes of withdrawing from many of their festival grounds (Harrogate, Bradford etc) and they were discussing why this was happening. Mr Edwards commented on Valentines Park. It was something along the lines of "Terrible ground, inadequate facilities but our members like going there so that's why we continue to use it". I take your point about times changing but I do think the Peter Edwards regime did take into account member's views.

[Andy]

Thanks for sharing slogger. Not wishing to denigrate the Edwards (and Malcolm Field) legacy, of course.

[Slogger]

Andy thanks - and as we commented on the "debt" thread the other day it's the Edwards/Field legacy of financial reserves that has kept the club out of debt for all these years. My fear is that the ground re-development project will lead us into debt. And that's the question I'd really like answered - what's the risk to our long term financial stability?

[nat]

My main memory of Peter Edwards is being told with my mates, over the tannoy, to clear off the outfield at the end of a JPL match!

[Andy]

My main memory of Peter Edwards is being told with my mates, over the tannoy, to clear off the outfield at the end of a JPL match!

Ahh, so that was you? They never minded when we won trophies, then flooded onto the pitch for the award ceremony. Remember that, winning real trophies??