Membership 2014

[Valentines Park]

Yet another (albeit small) error from the admin staff.

Hmm ... maybe Larry's P45 has got lost in the post.

We can but hope.

[cashless]

Thanks for post, very soon we will be announcing 2014 Membership rates this will include Life Membership. This, for the first time, will allow you to purchase based on your exact age e.g. the rate of a 49 year old will only be slightly more expensive that a 50 year old rather than the current jumps. Hope that makes sense?

The higher membership rates for less cricket have now been published, but alas the ECB can't agree with Sky the start times for the 50 over matches. One more reason to not rush to renew membership.

[nat]

Thanks for post, very soon we will be announcing 2014 Membership rates this will include Life Membership. This, for the first time, will allow you to purchase based on your exact age e.g. the rate of a 49 year old will only be slightly more expensive that a 50 year old rather than the current jumps. Hope that makes sense?

The higher membership rates for less cricket have now been published, but alas the ECB can't agree with Sky the start times for the 50 over matches. One more reason to not rush to renew membership.

More evidence that the ECB have given up on the county game as a spectator sport. Really sad when you think back to the 1980s - county cricket's heyday.

[Andy]

Can't totally blame the ECB. The 1980s was a heyday in terms of county cricket as a spectacle, but unsustainable because I) the real money comes from international cricket (don't assume all county grounds were as full as Chelmsford at the time) ii) Once the other countries (especially India) grabbed political control of the game, the money talks.

Let's face it, if players like JK and Ray East were given long runs in the England team, and/or injury robbed us of these key players, we wouldn't look back on the 80s with such nostalgia...

[firehazard]

...
Let's face it, if players like JK and Ray East were given long runs in the England team, and/or injury robbed us of these key players, we wouldn't look back on the 80s with such nostalgia...

Although back then, before central contracts, England international players played far more regularly for their counties, so would only generally be absent when the (fewer) tests or ODIs were actually being played. Which meant you could still feel that they were part of the county set-up in a far more meaningful sense.

[Andy]

...
Let's face it, if players like JK and Ray East were given long runs in the England team, and/or injury robbed us of these key players, we wouldn't look back on the 80s with such nostalgia...

Although back then, before central contracts, England international players played far more regularly for their counties, so would only generally be absent when the (fewer) tests or ODIs were actually being played. Which meant you could still feel that they were part of the county set-up in a far more meaningful sense.

Agreed, but one of the main reasons we won in 1979, rather than say 1977 or 1978 was that the selectors ludicrously decided that Mike Hendrick was better than JK and that Gooch had got through that tough patch when he contemplated retiring from the game.

 The whole point is that the set up at the time, both the absence of central contracts and the overlooking of ECCC players, meant that we prospered. Hence the nostalgic desire to return to 3 day matches, exhausted England players turning out for their counties etc.

[firehazard]

...
Agreed, but one of the main reasons we won in 1979, rather than say 1977 or 1978 was that the selectors ludicrously decided that Mike Hendrick was better than JK and that Gooch had got through that tough patch when he contemplated retiring from the game.

 The whole point is that the set up at the time, both the absence of central contracts and the overlooking of ECCC players, meant that we prospered. Hence the nostalgic desire to return to 3 day matches, exhausted England players turning out for their counties etc.

Agree in many ways, although the "exhaustion" of international players nowadays, I reckon, is far more down to the endless round of meaningless one-day internationals, which hadn't really taken hold back in those days. Turning out for your county in a CC game was probably less demanding.

But one of the real problems of the current central-contracting situation is that it's led to a real fracture between the international game and the county set-up, which was closer when international players were, in a more meaningful sense, still very much part of their county team. I find it hard, to be honest, to think of Cook as an Essex player now. Whereas Fletch or Gooch, for example, very much were, even when also captaining England.

[BlueEagles]

I have just received my membership renewal form, and the letter starts with "Dear prospective member", have they a crystal ball that tells them how unhappy we are with the membership deal, and cannot address us as current members.

On a positive note, I have already received a 'damage limitation' apology letter from Danny M.

[cashless]

Essex wants around £200 a year for membership and T20 entrance, yet Sussex are offering all one day matches YB50's and T20 membership for £120, likewise for Middlesex its £120 and Kent £150.

If Essex done similar I would jump at the chance, as due to commitments at home I cannot easily attend for 4 whole days, so the one day matches are acceptable. Therefore I am in two minds about renewing membership, as other counties seem to want to help their members, unlike Essex.

[nat]

Essex wants around £200 a year for membership and T20 entrance, yet Sussex are offering all one day matches YB50's and T20 membership for £120...

Really? That's fantastic value. I might have to join Sussex CCC when I retire to Eastbourne with the other 'wrinklies'.

[Starfish]

Essex wants around £200 a year for membership and T20 entrance, yet Sussex are offering all one day matches YB50's and T20 membership for £120, likewise for Middlesex its £120 and Kent £150.

If Essex done similar I would jump at the chance, as due to commitments at home I cannot easily attend for 4 whole days, so the one day matches are acceptable. Therefore I am in two minds about renewing membership, as other counties seem to want to help their members, unlike Essex.

Thanks for post, whilst we are not the cheapest the amount quoted for Sussex is in fact more than ours, sorry if I have read that well. Kind regards, Danny

[cashless]

Thanks for post, whilst we are not the cheapest the amount quoted for Sussex is in fact more than ours, sorry if I have read that well. Kind regards, Danny
[/quote]

Sussex Shark membership that includes all one day matches is £120, Essex only offer everything for about £200. Check it on their magnificent website.

[Starfish]

Yes, there website is good, we have a number of improvements rolling out in coming weeks

To clarify for others (if needed) their £120 Membership does not include LV= games

Thanks

[cashless]

Yes, there website is good, we have a number of improvements rolling out in coming weeks

To clarify for others (if needed) their £120 Membership does not include LV= games

Thanks

I previously mentioned that it was for all one day games only, and said if Essex had done the same I would have snapped it up. But Essex won't entertain helping members.

[Starfish]

Thanks for post