Post by Wicked Cricket on Sept 13, 2014 9:37:01 GMT
Members Forum Meeting: Thursday September 11th: 9.30am-10.20am: Long Room
It feels like only yesterday when the previous Members Forum was held - where coach Mark Robinson was “sickened and
disgusted” by match-fixing allegations surrounding Lou Vincent and Naved Arif - Chairman Jim May appeared shell-shocked by
the events - and the team were embroiled in a playing malaise and staring at a looming relegation battle. “How a season
whizzes by” as May aptly put it and “a certain melancholy takes hold” as the last home game of the season ends. The previous
forum meeting on June 2nd seems like a bad dream.
Therefore, this latest event was reserved and far less dramatic compared to its predecessor not helped by a lack of microphones
and sound system given the meeting was primarily a Q&A. The Chairman stated all the other rooms had been sold out for the
first three days of the match and hence the lack of a PA.
“A certain melancholy takes hold”
The good, bad and the ugly were discussed.
The Good
May stated off-field revenues were increasing by 20% a year; the first two home days against Lancashire attracted an average of
2,500 - two of the highest championship attendances this season; the on-field achievements of Luke Wright’s 153* at Chelmsford
in the T20 and his record 335 run partnership with Ben Brown for the sixth wicket against Durham. Not forgetting the two Championship
wins against Warwickshire in a season - a feat not achieved by Sussex CCC since the early 1960s.
The Bad
The disjointed fixture list that led some calm Members this season to pull their hair out in frustration. May believes Sussex lost over
£100k from this fixture list. ECB mismanagement meant first the side had to play or travel 31 days of cricket in 34 days and then later
played nothing for 19 days towards the end of August.
Average attendance figures for the T20 are down by 10%. May compared the home Surrey and Hampshire games this year which attracted
4,600 people each to the comparable nearer 7,000 last summer, on the fact the T20 started too early in the season. Ironically, the best
attended was against Kent in July when Sussex were already knocked out of the competition.
The club lost around £70k revenue by not reaching a home QF in the two OD tournaments; the Sunday championship starts were not a success
for Sussex, whilst the lack of public interest in the new 50 over format prevailed right across the counties. This frustration continues when an
ECB meeting held on Monday and attended by Zac led to positive talks with the counties but as our Chief Exec commented, “I am happy they
had a good look at the fixture problem but not happy with the outcome. We put our case across and that’s all we could do. It’s the same for
next season.”
The Ugly
One Member described the long injury list of players this season like the ‘Battle of the Somme’. Robbo stated it was one of the worst he could
remember. As the 7th casualty was read out May stepped in and said, "That's enough!" to laughter from the audience.
Mark Robinson was asked about the possibility of Tredwell joining next season and glibly replied, “He already belongs to another club.” Whilst
another Member questioned whether his friendship with Peter Moores helps smooth the waters for Jordan returning to the club for important
games.
“Friendship doesn’t come into it,” smiled Robbo. “The gloves are off. I believe Chris doesn’t play enough. He needs to bowl more but
England are very protective of their seamers. There is a hell of a big schedule ahead for them.” Adding, “England have allowed Anderson to
play in this game and to bowl 25 overs a day. Hopefully that may set a precedent for other England seamers in the future?”
"The gloves are off!"
Out Grounds - the Ongoing Debate
The discussions continue. May explained there was a 3 point test the club adhered to.
: Wickets have to be good enough
: Facilities must be good enough for players
: Commercially it must make sense
Whilst both the Arundel and Horsham festivals had been financial successes this season there are various dilemmas the club face for 2015.
Horsham
Jim May: “I am happy to say this on record... Horsham council says one thing but does nothing in contrast with local authorities in other parts
of the country who see the value of festivals. That is a real concern. It shows a certain small-mindedness. Horsham is a booming and wealthy
town. We need to work with the council in partnership to promote Horsham.”
Zac Toumazi: “Horsham has an excellent pitch, players love playing there, but the business model does not work. There is a huge opportunity to
engage with the community and make it successful and we will do everything to make it work. We see Horsham as part of the mix next year.”
"We see Horsham as part of the mix next year.”
Arundel
Jim May: “Their wicket is the major factor. Presently, it is not good enough. Also, the facilities are not up to standard for the players. Commercially
the risk share is high. It requires a £30k start up for the festival.”
Zac Toumazi: “The club are committed to improving the wicket. They are going to dig it up and have it relayed. It will take two years before the wicket
is playable - question is: do we go there and play on an existing alternative wicket next season? Do we take that risk or play the home game at Hove?
Arundel has a new club secretary, James Ruffey, who is a breath of fresh air and determined to make things work. One consideration is our supporters.
If we don’t play the out grounds will some rescind their membership? This has always been a threat.”
Then there is Eastbourne who have a very amenable Council with financial backing already promised, a satisfactory pitch, and a strong desire to bring
festival cricket back to Eastbourne after 16 years in the wilderness.
The 2nd XI games will gain more publicity and coverage next season as the club’s communication to members via email and the internet improves.
There were the usual questions about lack of parking, mobile phone usage in the ground, the Members’ cards design and the number and use of deck chairs.
Parish Notices
: The last home 2nd XI game will be against Durham at Preston Nomads on Sept 15th.
: The Players Awards evening is on Saturday Sept 27th.
: The first quiz/curry night will be held in the Spen Cama pavilion on October 2nd. This
will be followed by a second in early December and two more in February and April 2015.
: A lunch in the 'House of Lords' on October 22nd to raise funds for the Museum will be addressed
by Sir John Major.
END
It feels like only yesterday when the previous Members Forum was held - where coach Mark Robinson was “sickened and
disgusted” by match-fixing allegations surrounding Lou Vincent and Naved Arif - Chairman Jim May appeared shell-shocked by
the events - and the team were embroiled in a playing malaise and staring at a looming relegation battle. “How a season
whizzes by” as May aptly put it and “a certain melancholy takes hold” as the last home game of the season ends. The previous
forum meeting on June 2nd seems like a bad dream.
Therefore, this latest event was reserved and far less dramatic compared to its predecessor not helped by a lack of microphones
and sound system given the meeting was primarily a Q&A. The Chairman stated all the other rooms had been sold out for the
first three days of the match and hence the lack of a PA.
“A certain melancholy takes hold”
The good, bad and the ugly were discussed.
The Good
May stated off-field revenues were increasing by 20% a year; the first two home days against Lancashire attracted an average of
2,500 - two of the highest championship attendances this season; the on-field achievements of Luke Wright’s 153* at Chelmsford
in the T20 and his record 335 run partnership with Ben Brown for the sixth wicket against Durham. Not forgetting the two Championship
wins against Warwickshire in a season - a feat not achieved by Sussex CCC since the early 1960s.
The Bad
The disjointed fixture list that led some calm Members this season to pull their hair out in frustration. May believes Sussex lost over
£100k from this fixture list. ECB mismanagement meant first the side had to play or travel 31 days of cricket in 34 days and then later
played nothing for 19 days towards the end of August.
Average attendance figures for the T20 are down by 10%. May compared the home Surrey and Hampshire games this year which attracted
4,600 people each to the comparable nearer 7,000 last summer, on the fact the T20 started too early in the season. Ironically, the best
attended was against Kent in July when Sussex were already knocked out of the competition.
The club lost around £70k revenue by not reaching a home QF in the two OD tournaments; the Sunday championship starts were not a success
for Sussex, whilst the lack of public interest in the new 50 over format prevailed right across the counties. This frustration continues when an
ECB meeting held on Monday and attended by Zac led to positive talks with the counties but as our Chief Exec commented, “I am happy they
had a good look at the fixture problem but not happy with the outcome. We put our case across and that’s all we could do. It’s the same for
next season.”
The Ugly
One Member described the long injury list of players this season like the ‘Battle of the Somme’. Robbo stated it was one of the worst he could
remember. As the 7th casualty was read out May stepped in and said, "That's enough!" to laughter from the audience.
Mark Robinson was asked about the possibility of Tredwell joining next season and glibly replied, “He already belongs to another club.” Whilst
another Member questioned whether his friendship with Peter Moores helps smooth the waters for Jordan returning to the club for important
games.
“Friendship doesn’t come into it,” smiled Robbo. “The gloves are off. I believe Chris doesn’t play enough. He needs to bowl more but
England are very protective of their seamers. There is a hell of a big schedule ahead for them.” Adding, “England have allowed Anderson to
play in this game and to bowl 25 overs a day. Hopefully that may set a precedent for other England seamers in the future?”
"The gloves are off!"
Out Grounds - the Ongoing Debate
The discussions continue. May explained there was a 3 point test the club adhered to.
: Wickets have to be good enough
: Facilities must be good enough for players
: Commercially it must make sense
Whilst both the Arundel and Horsham festivals had been financial successes this season there are various dilemmas the club face for 2015.
Horsham
Jim May: “I am happy to say this on record... Horsham council says one thing but does nothing in contrast with local authorities in other parts
of the country who see the value of festivals. That is a real concern. It shows a certain small-mindedness. Horsham is a booming and wealthy
town. We need to work with the council in partnership to promote Horsham.”
Zac Toumazi: “Horsham has an excellent pitch, players love playing there, but the business model does not work. There is a huge opportunity to
engage with the community and make it successful and we will do everything to make it work. We see Horsham as part of the mix next year.”
"We see Horsham as part of the mix next year.”
Arundel
Jim May: “Their wicket is the major factor. Presently, it is not good enough. Also, the facilities are not up to standard for the players. Commercially
the risk share is high. It requires a £30k start up for the festival.”
Zac Toumazi: “The club are committed to improving the wicket. They are going to dig it up and have it relayed. It will take two years before the wicket
is playable - question is: do we go there and play on an existing alternative wicket next season? Do we take that risk or play the home game at Hove?
Arundel has a new club secretary, James Ruffey, who is a breath of fresh air and determined to make things work. One consideration is our supporters.
If we don’t play the out grounds will some rescind their membership? This has always been a threat.”
Then there is Eastbourne who have a very amenable Council with financial backing already promised, a satisfactory pitch, and a strong desire to bring
festival cricket back to Eastbourne after 16 years in the wilderness.
The 2nd XI games will gain more publicity and coverage next season as the club’s communication to members via email and the internet improves.
There were the usual questions about lack of parking, mobile phone usage in the ground, the Members’ cards design and the number and use of deck chairs.
Parish Notices
: The last home 2nd XI game will be against Durham at Preston Nomads on Sept 15th.
: The Players Awards evening is on Saturday Sept 27th.
: The first quiz/curry night will be held in the Spen Cama pavilion on October 2nd. This
will be followed by a second in early December and two more in February and April 2015.
: A lunch in the 'House of Lords' on October 22nd to raise funds for the Museum will be addressed
by Sir John Major.
END
