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Post by Wicked Cricket on Aug 29, 2023 7:50:45 GMT
Off-pisteSHOCK, HORROR, PROBE!Lady race-horse owner is banned from sport after sexually assaulting a jockey. Sean Kirrane says the kiss was "non-consensual." Her father goes on hunger-strike. 
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Post by tiptoes on Aug 31, 2023 11:26:40 GMT
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Post by Wicked Cricket on Sept 8, 2023 10:54:37 GMT
"Desperate Times Calls for Desperate Measures"
___________________________________________________________I thank LordRic52 for inspiring me to write this short piece. After noting his recent tweet my rather jaded noodle began whirring. Of course, the phrase ‘Desperate Times Calls for Desperate Measures’ is believed to have originated from the ancient Greek physician, Hippocrates. Looking at Sussex CCC, a Club that has been destroyed by management in recent years under the promise of ‘bringing through the youngsters’, and then seeing many of these players going backwards rather than forwards this season, surely, it is time for supporters to make a stand? The Club needs extensive and life-saving surgery.  2 Sussex CCC last touched rock bottom back in 1996. Of course, seasoned supporters know what happened next, when Members rebelled and threw out the old guard leading to heroes like Jim May, Richard Barrow, Robin Marlar and Tony Pigott. The question being: How long do you give the Andrew Experiment? How long do we supporters, already wracked with 13 years of disappointment, failure and upset allow this extreme chimera to go on? There is a thin line between a noble endeavour and a fiasco. After such a disappointing white ball season, supporters could still cling on to the hope, however unlikely, of being promoted to Division 1. Yet, after the recent thrashing from Durham, the gulf between the two Division 2 clubs was as wide as the Grand Canyon. Surely, promotion is even beyond the most delicious miracle imagined? Back in 1997, it was the Members who rebelled at the annual AGM and because of that rebellion, the Club enjoyed a decade of extraordinary success. And here we are 26 years later, and Sussex CCC is back where it started. Yet, a Members Rebellion doesn’t seem to feel right. After kowtowing to lockdowns, covid masks, woke extremism and the like, that sort of rebellion feels wrong for 2023. For is the gumption, that fire in the belly still there? Yet, what does feel right is what football has been successfully carrying out for decades and what Yorkshire CCC is now experiencing - a buy out from a consortium or individual. So, is there a Sussex supporter who is fed up to the teeth with failure after failure; aggrieved by Andrew's deluded flight of fancy; who perhaps has won the Euro Millions lottery or is even a millionaire in their own right; and who wishes to spread the cash on charitable causes like making a bid for Sussex CCC? While the management will huff and puff, surely, there are enough Members who will vote for a takeover? What is there to lose? From this, the imagination can run wild. Goodbye to the present management; an influx of top players; salary increases; new and strong leadership, but wait... still offer Farbrace a chance? The guy was passed a poisoned chalice, so allow him to drink some delectable Chardonnay. But there is a problem with this colourful notion. Yorkshire is a top Club even though it languishes holding the wooden spoon after falling foul of the ECB’s dictum to kowtow to Woke politics. What consortium wants to take over Sussex CCC? Where is the money to be made? Yorkshire boasts a Test Match Ground, Hove is certainly not one. Yet, both clubs share a rich cricketing heritage. Perhaps, that could attract a more enlightened soul? So, it is time for Sussex Members to rise-up again, but this time by finding a willing business consortium or a multi-millionaire and then voting them in to take over the Club.
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Post by Wicked Cricket on Sept 20, 2023 14:37:00 GMT
“Calamity Sussex!”
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LordRic52 once again has his finger on the pulse with a tweet earlier this week.  Just when you think Sussex CCC has reached rock bottom, another boulder appears to bludgeon the club into further darkness. After the relief and even euphoria of beating Leicestershire last week, by setting the opponents 498 to win, only to see them fail by just 15 runs, however far-fetched, hope returned for promotion to Division 1. While nigh on impossible and given how 2023 has been yet another disappointing and heart-wrenching season, hope is all that the Sussex supporter has left to cling on to. Yet, now the Club has not only disgraced itself with its Captain suspended and three other players dropped for the Derbyshire game due to alleged unacceptable behaviour towards certain Leicestershire players, it has been docked 12 Championship points as well. The final straw for breaking ECB regulations on 4 different occasions this season. Jack Carson's Alleged Infringementwww.youtube.com/embed/HMYhGc32__A?start=14785Adrian Harms suggests from his tweet that the final day of play was fractious throughout given both teams were desperate to win the game. For what we do know may only be a tip of an iceberg. This includes a possible intended “fake trip” from Jack Carson on Ben Cox (please see above video link); while the ECB is investigating allegations that Ari Karvelas used discriminatory language towards an Asian player. George Dobell alleges on the Cricketer Magazine website that Karvelas remarked about batter, Umar Amin, "Send him back to the village he came from" after Amin was dismissed in the second innings.  Perhaps, Dobell in his zest for controversy is suggesting this to be a racist remark? No doubt, English village cricket is full of such comments. “Go back to Ditching where you come from,” exclaims a wicket-taker to his victim. Or “to East Preston” or “Rottingdean!” Unfortunately, in our woke world, there is an alleged racist comment lurking under every pitch cover, sight screen and cucumber sandwich. And what of Pujara? Has he been suspended because of being the Captain and not taking charge of his steeds? (Oops, is this a racist comment?) The club’s best player in recent living memory, will now not play in the final two Championship games and returns to India with head bowed. He tweets, “Gutted to leave this way, but looking back at the county season with cherished moments…” Even worse, this most recent debacle has not only humiliated and embarrassed the Club, but at the time of writing, its CEO and Chairman, have posted no apology to supporters for the players’ behaviour or the 12 point punishment dished out by the ECB. This is “Calamity Sussex” at its worst. To remind supporters of the major Daily Telegraph feature, published 10 months ago entitled, The Inside Story of Sussex's Decline, there is a link below. www.telegraph.co.uk/cricket/2022/11/23/inside-story-sussexs-decline/Written by cricket journalist, Will Macpherson, little seems to have changed since it was posted. If anything the situation has deteriorated. Chairman, Jon Filby, believed at the time, “Fortunes will change under a new coach.” He also defends Rob Andrew. Macpherson writes, “Filby believes that Andrew receives greater criticism because he is a well-known public figure. That may be true, but there was plenty of criticism for his work as a rugby administrator, too, and there are few kind words spoken about his rugged approach to dealing with people at Sussex.” Filby is quoted as saying back in November, “I am hugely positive about Sussex. We have good young players, but I accept we need to improve results. We will improve. We will put together a coaching structure that can provide that. I’m only interested in looking forwards. There are so many good things to look forward to and I am determined that we will all enjoy those together.” Yet, Macpherson points out, "One insider says that this group of players are talented, but perhaps no-more than any other county’s crop: they have just had more opportunity.” An extreme experiment has taken place, pushed by the Club’s CEO, and after four years the promises made of top cricket being played by former Sussex Academy cricketers, has failed to materialise. Yes, some progress has been achieved with the batting and the Club should be praised for this, in particular Grant Flower. There is a nucleus of youngsters who hold promise, but that is all. More progress by now, surely, needs to have been shown, especially amongst the fledgling bowlers.  In fact, Andrew first alluded to his experiment back in October, 2017, when he said in a club statement, “We are continuing to work on our four-year strategic plan for the wider organisation and there will be further news on this in due course. A major part of that strategy will be the on-going development of home-grown Sussex players by our Performance Department. This work will continue the well-established trend of Sussex-bred bowlers and batsmen making their mark in the 1st XI.” So, one could say the undertaking has been ongoing for six years. sussexcricket.co.uk/news/statement-chief-executive-rob-andrewPlease can Forum readers take a look at the post above and have a ponder. We all want to see a successful club again, competing for trophies like the halcyon days of yonder. While Andrew’s experiment has been a noble endeavour, there is a thin veil between the donkey and carrot continuous hope and a fiasco. It is time to put it to bed and now focus on how the Club moves forward from here. Unfortunately, this requires money, something Sussex CCC does not hold. Therefore, if Yorkshire are successful with their impending financial takeover, should not Sussex attempt to follow suit?
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Post by ashingtonmartlet on Sept 26, 2023 15:04:45 GMT
"Desperate Times Calls for Desperate Measures"
___________________________________________________________I thank LordRic52 for inspiring me to write this short piece. After noting his recent tweet my rather jaded noodle began whirring. Of course, the phrase ‘Desperate Times Calls for Desperate Measures’ is believed to have originated from the ancient Greek physician, Hippocrates. Looking at Sussex CCC, a Club that has been destroyed by management in recent years under the promise of ‘bringing through the youngsters’, and then seeing many of these players going backwards rather than forwards this season, surely, it is time for supporters to make a stand? The Club needs extensive and life-saving surgery. 2 Sussex CCC last touched rock bottom back in 1996. Of course, seasoned supporters know what happened next, when Members rebelled and threw out the old guard leading to heroes like Jim May, Richard Barrow, Robin Marlar and Tony Pigott. The question being: How long do you give the Andrew Experiment? How long do we supporters, already wracked with 13 years of disappointment, failure and upset allow this extreme chimera to go on? There is a thin line between a noble endeavour and a fiasco. After such a disappointing white ball season, supporters could still cling on to the hope, however unlikely, of being promoted to Division 1. Yet, after the recent thrashing from Durham, the gulf between the two Division 2 clubs was as wide as the Grand Canyon. Surely, promotion is even beyond the most delicious miracle imagined? Back in 1997, it was the Members who rebelled at the annual AGM and because of that rebellion, the Club enjoyed a decade of extraordinary success. And here we are 26 years later, and Sussex CCC is back where it started. Yet, a Members Rebellion doesn’t seem to feel right. After kowtowing to lockdowns, covid masks, woke extremism and the like, that sort of rebellion feels wrong for 2023. For is the gumption, that fire in the belly still there? Yet, what does feel right is what football has been successfully carrying out for decades and what Yorkshire CCC is now experiencing - a buy out from a consortium or individual. So, is there a Sussex supporter who is fed up to the teeth with failure after failure; aggrieved by Andrew's deluded flight of fancy; who perhaps has won the Euro Millions lottery or is even a millionaire in their own right; and who wishes to spread the cash on charitable causes like making a bid for Sussex CCC? While the management will huff and puff, surely, there are enough Members who will vote for a takeover? What is there to lose? From this, the imagination can run wild. Goodbye to the present management; an influx of top players; salary increases; new and strong leadership, but wait... still offer Farbrace a chance? The guy was passed a poisoned chalice, so allow him to drink some delectable Chardonnay. But there is a problem with this colourful notion. Yorkshire is a top Club even though it languishes holding the wooden spoon after falling foul of the ECB’s dictum to kowtow to Woke politics. What consortium wants to take over Sussex CCC? Where is the money to be made? Yorkshire boasts a Test Match Ground, Hove is certainly not one. Yet, both clubs share a rich cricketing heritage. Perhaps, that could attract a more enlightened soul? So, it is time for Sussex Members to rise-up again, but this time by finding a willing business consortium or a multi-millionaire and then voting them in to take over the Club. No we finished rock bottom in 1997, AFTER the revolution in March 1997. Very difficult to launch a similar revolution these days. Don’t forget back then, that 3 committee members stood down each year and could re-stand for election, and invariably there would be more than 3 wanting to stand meaning an election would take place. We were already a member down (Ingram Losner has resigned during the year), then after Jim May, Robin Marlar and Dick Holste had been elected, chairman Alan Caffyn resigned (rightly) and so too did Richard Barrow to switch sides. That meant that by the time of the AGM, there were 3 new committee members with more intentions for change, and only 4 old guard - 1 of whom walked out after 10 minutes. Nigh on impossible for that opportunity to arise again, as only 1 new board member is elected each year by the clubs and 1 by the members (I think). Meanwhile, the exec board which contains our CEO seem unanswerable to any one. |
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Post by therealab1 on Sept 26, 2023 15:29:04 GMT
Good knowledge! Fact rather than false speculation is always better!
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Post by Wicked Cricket on Sept 29, 2023 11:08:46 GMT
Am, Have you actually read my posts? Your reply is barking up the wrong tree. I write, “Yet, a Members Rebellion doesn’t seem to feel right…” Therefore, I could not agree more with you. The days of another Members Rebellion is over given the reasons you correctly offer alongside the present social and political climate we live in. To repeat, what I am suggesting is that a wealthy Sussex supporter or business consortium, comes forward with an offer to buy-out Sussex CCC. Pledge the sum of £25 million, for example, go to the media with the story, gain their support, and demand that the Club’s board holds a special AGM for this offer to be voted upon by the Members. For one of the major difficulties that Sussex face is the lack of money. Now that the Spen Cama legacy has disappeared, money that has kept the Club afloat for many years, alternative finances need to be found. I am not clear what the actual rules of a buy-out are for a county cricket club. I note that in Yorkshire’s case, the ECB are happy for a sale to go ahead whether it comes from the Indian IPL team, Rajasthan Royal, who are considering a £25 million offer, or former Newcastle FC owner, Mike Ashley, and his £22 million potential bid. It is rumoured there are other possible buyers too. Presumably, the ECB would be just as happy for Sussex CCC to follow a similar path. So, whether the Golden Lion Group owner and Sussex supporter, “Mr Lion” AKA Dave Day, can bring together a business consortium; or a successful and wealthy business person comes forward; or a supporter who has recently won the Euro Lottery makes a lucrative offer; or even an IPL Franchise team given the Club’s historical strong Asian connection over the past... We can but dream. Financial buy-outs are the next obvious step for English county cricket, for if The 100 goes financially pear-shaped and the West’s economy continues to falter, the ECB may have no other choice, if they want 18 counties still to exist. While Sussex is not a Test Match Ground, it does offer a rich cricketing heritage, as well as a recent history that clearly shows the potential of the club when run and managed by the “right people”. To repeat the success of the noughties, a buy out, in my view, is the only way of achieving this. To gain success you require money - money which Sussex does not hold now that Cama's legacy has gone. Meanwhile, this article is worth a read. "From the IPL to Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, the growing trend of vast overseas investment continues to ruffle the feathers of traditional – some might say fossilised – English sporting institutions."www.sportcal.com/news/theme-focus-rajasthan-royals-bid-25m-for-yorkshire-county-cricket-club/?cf-view |
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Post by squarepoint on Sept 29, 2023 20:35:08 GMT
Just when you think it couldn’t get any worse for Yorkshire CCC, Mike Ashley shows an interest in buying them. 😯
Thank you for raising some interesting and important issues here Wicked.
If a wealthy Sussex supporter, who has the interests of club genuinely at heart, wishes to plough some money in, that person would be welcomed with open arms I’m sure. If there was a conflict of ideas on the direction of the club, I’d have to consider those on their merits rather than siding necessarily with the person with the money!
However, if a club in any sport relies constantly on cash injections from benefactors, it puts itself in a very precarious position. Just look at all the English Rugby Union clubs, going down like dominoes, as a warning of what happens to those who get hooked on subsidies.
It would also be an emphatic “no” from me to Sussex being run as an offshoot of an IPL franchise. If that becomes widespread in English cricket you could almost guarantee the sidelining of the 4 day game.
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Post by Wicked Cricket on Oct 3, 2023 13:14:29 GMT
If a wealthy Sussex supporter, who has the interests of club genuinely at heart, wishes to plough some money in, that person would be welcomed with open arms I’m sure. That’s the dream. Alongside a list of new people who could become part of the Club set-up. I will never forget that when I interviewed Peter Moores during my days as a cricket journalist, he told me openly that his ideal coaching swansong, that perfect symmetry, would be to end his career as Sussex CCC Coach. Now there’s a thought. As for Chris Adams, where’s he gone? I thought he was an invited guest on the Sussex Board along with Tony Cottey. Has that all gone pear-shaped? Unfortunately, where is the money to be made from Sussex CCC? Unless you are a TMG on the right side of the ECB, or winning every trophy in sight, I can’t see why an Indian Franchise team would want to invest in county cricket, unless they buy-out The 100 and turn it into a mega-T20 tournament based around the success of the IPL. Again, it is down to the ECB and how they financially manage over the next three years. It seems to me, The 100 is their BIG gamble; but unless it continues to be supported by SKY Sports, then the Board is screwed along with county cricket. Only then, perhaps, would either the Saudis, who appear to be throwing monopoly money around to take over world sport e.g football and golf, or the Indians e.g. cricket, might step in. One greatly hopes not, but if county cricket is at stake, beggars can’t be choosers. So, ideally, it would be a wealthy supporter who doesn’t mind handing over £25 million to a charitable cause.  Meanwhile, last Friday somebody won £112.5 million on the Euro Lottery. Unbelievable! Numbers were: 9 11 13 21 32 ( 2) (7). If that had been me, I wouldn't hesitate to invest £25 million in Sussex CCC. 
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Post by therealab1 on Oct 3, 2023 13:49:00 GMT
If a wealthy Sussex supporter, who has the interests of club genuinely at heart, wishes to plough some money in, that person would be welcomed with open arms I’m sure. That’s the dream. Alongside a list of new people who could become part of the Club set-up. I will never forget that when I interviewed Peter Moores during my days as a cricket journalist, he told me openly that his ideal coaching swansong, that perfect symmetry, would be to end his career as Sussex CCC Coach. Now there’s a thought. As for Chris Adams, where’s he gone? I thought he was an invited guest on the Sussex Board along with Tony Cottey. Has that all gone pear-shaped? Unfortunately, where is the money to be made from Sussex CCC? Unless you are a TMG on the right side of the ECB, or winning every trophy in sight, I can’t see why an Indian Franchise team would want to invest in county cricket, unless they buy-out The 100 and turn it into a mega-T20 tournament based around the success of the IPL. Again, it is down to the ECB and how they financially manage over the next three years. It seems to me, The 100 is their BIG gamble; but unless it continues to be supported by SKY Sports, then the Board is screwed along with county cricket. Only then, perhaps, would either the Saudis, who appear to be throwing monopoly money around to take over world sport e.g football and golf, or the Indians e.g. cricket, might step in. One greatly hopes not, but if county cricket is at stake, beggars can’t be choosers. So, ideally, it would be a wealthy supporter who doesn’t mind handing over £25 million to a charitable cause. Meanwhile, last Friday somebody won £112.5 million on the Euro Lottery. Unbelievable! Numbers were: 9 11 13 21 32 ( 2) (7). If that had been me, I wouldn't hesitate to invest £25 million in Sussex CCC. It was openly discussed by Jon Filby and Paul Farbrace that Chris Adams is on the cricket Committee and Tony Cottey decided it wasnt for him. So no it hasnt gone pear shaped. |
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Post by Wicked Cricket on Oct 3, 2023 14:46:20 GMT
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j
2nd XI player
Posts: 107
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Post by j on Oct 3, 2023 14:51:26 GMT
I think Cottey's mother passed away in March/April 2022. That may have (completely understandably) influenced his decision to step away. |
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Post by therealab1 on Oct 3, 2023 14:56:57 GMT
He hasnt exactly buttoned his lips he has been quite vocal on social media but i guess with him in that position we are in safer hands, i guess Tony decided he just couldnt give the time or it wasnt for him, ive been excited about starting new job roles and it hasnt quite delivered what youd expect. I think you are looking for scandal when there isnt any to be had. |
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Post by Wicked Cricket on Oct 3, 2023 15:19:59 GMT
He hasnt exactly buttoned his lips he has been quite vocal on social media Are you sure? I have checked his twitter feed and not one mention of Sussex CCC throughout the 2023 season. Not one! Plenty about the burgeoning cricket success of his daughter, Georgia, but nothing about Sussex. Perhaps, there is an understanding with the Club not to mention such county cricket affairs?
Have a Looktwitter.com/grizz598Thank you J for mentioning the passing of Cottey's mother. As you say, that may well be the reason for not joining the Board initially, although 16 months on, surely, it is a sufficient time to grieve and then for him to rejoin?
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Post by therealab1 on Oct 3, 2023 15:21:45 GMT
During the 2022 season there was, maybe under Filby they have had a chang eof direction and hes happy with it so no need to shout if you dont need to shout.
Its a far right media tactic, create outrage for no reason to fuel a bigger agenda, my intrigue is what yours is?
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