Members Forum August 28th

[Essexfan8899]

Sorry, but I don't buy that.

Most other clubs have secured overseas for the run in, we haven't.

Other clubs have manged to secure a signing...........Derby, Gloucester, Lanky, Notts, Yorkshire, Kent, Warwicks, Surrey.

Players are available.

I'm so frustrated we haven't and pretending we have no money is a joke.

Come on Essex,,,,,,,,,show some fight.

No doubt we will sign some overseas girl that no one has heard of next and no one will ever go to watch.

Priorities have gone I'm very sad so say.

[Mog]

A members forum was held at the club during the lunch break  of day two of the game against Surrey at the club. In attendance were Dan Feist CEO, Head Coach Chris Silverwood, Paul Walter and myself.

 Apologies were made for the poor acoustics of the indoor school, but it was the only option of a suitable venue on a matchday.

 Team news: with the retirement of Dean Elgar, the search for a replacement top order batter is the priority. A member asked about Robin Das, but it was explained that due to personal issues, the player has asked to be withdrawn from team selection at this time.

 Ground redevelopment - the plan is moving forward with planners and the council engaged, there will be updates on progress in due course.

 "Will there be a return to out ground cricket for the club?". Never say never, but the cost of staging out ground cricket is a big factor, along with issues around pitch quality, car parking and other clubs have reported  issues with getting good quality streaming facilities at grounds that are not set up for this.

 "Can future AGMs be streamed" - something that will be looked in to.

 There has been excellent take up of the club's early bird membership renewal offer that runs until October, with many supporters renewing their membership, along with a good number taking life memberships.

 The Queen concert was a success and the board is working on various ideas of events for both members and non-members that could be held over the winter - Sunday lunches, members suppers, quiz nights, Q&A events with players and staff, etc...if you have any (sensible) suggestions let me know!

 I was formally introduced as a new board member, following the recent elections and it was good to engage with many people both the the members forum and around the ground afterwards. Good point made about making the board more visible, both at matches and also a section on the club's website identifying the board, accompanied with photos to make them recognisable to members. I have already put this suggestion to the board, as it is a good one!

 As always, please approach me at the ground if you have any questions and I'll be happy to have a chat. Failing that, use the messaging function on this group page and I'll be happy to respond.

I'm certain that the majority of members appreciate being shown the courtesy and consideration to be provided with some 'take outs' from a Members Forum - quite a difference from the usual secrecy, condescension and bluster!
Looking at the bullets, any one of those replies could, and actually have been trotted out over the past ten, fifteen, even twenty years. Commonly known as holding statements.

It continues to produce incredulity personally that the Club still appear to believe that rehashed statements, given an annual dust off, are adequate in an environment where people are generally disillusioned with the Club, its opaqueness, its top-down arrogance.
I fully anticipate that the 'exciting new' ground redevelopment will be materially the self same design (hopefully, this time around, if we reach that stage, it would be good to see the proposals for the River End!)

Honestly, the Club need to utterly rethink their modus operandi off the pitch. Meanwhile, others, way more qualified than me, seem to have the on-field issues nailed. Several of those; usually relating to 'jobs for the boys' approach, next in-line captaincy, and ridiculous over-reliance on the OS player are regular visitors too!