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I respect that everyone has their own opinion on these matters and it’s difficult to offer statements on forums which everyone will approve of. That said, we have to be careful what we wish for, it is my view that a league with no professionals will lower the standard of cricket in general. Would the young stars of CIYMS be better cricketers if they were not playing alone side Rassie and Co? These young players will learn much quicker playing alongside these types of players. Many of these ‘Pro’s’ are also offering genuine and progressive coaching to young club members.
By maintaining the current system a small number of clubs will continue to become ‘super clubs’ and the gap between the top and bottom of the Premier league is becoming greater. This happened in club Rugby and it will happen in Cricket. The outcome in club rugby is that our interprovincial and country teams have become much stronger and the mainstream club scene moved back to a slower pace club league with no pros.
If we continue to follow the course that we are on (Rugby path) then it just might suit everyone as we will be left with a mainstream club scene of no professional but have a much stronger interprovincial and national team......looks like it’s going to unravel to everyone’s satisfaction 

I agree with Bruce topping

Cricket is currently sounding it's death rattle

Time that any decent club votes to Ban ALL overseas players, wouldn't it be great - like it used to, when playing for your Club meant something.

Or as Bruce says Restructure and let them all bugger off to an all Ireland league.

Imagine the investment we could all make within our clubs if we didn't have to pay the incredibly 'ordinary' locals or the overseas mercenaries

Any Cricketer that has played for more than two clubs in their career, should hang their head in shame - Equally any 'Club' men that take monies from their club should do the same.

Bruce, in an ideal world your proposal is an excellent one but as we all know, we don't reside in an ideal world.

Sooner or later those little brown envelopes and backhanders would appear again, something that's nigh on impossile to regulate today, just as it would be under your terms & conditions.

I much prefer Terry's suggestion, transparency is the key. It's a fact that if you pay the best wages you get the best workers, Ulster rugby has gone that route and look at football nowadays, the premiership in particular, need I say any more?

As Terry say's, like it or not, we live in a professional era were the pound seems to rule 'the roost' so just let whoever play for whoever and may the best and not neccessarily the wealthiest team win!

At least that way everyone knows where they stand and so what if one team has a squad of 'galacticos', the league may even become ultra competitive, irresective of how many teams are involved and it will certainly be interesting to observe who turns out to play for who and against who!

Or perhaps this already is the case ?

Perhaps it is time for 2 completely separate league structures. One which offers a semi-professional environment based on current NCU rules and another completely amateur league. Under the amateur league, each club would sign up to rules including no overseas playing professional (I would allow an overseas coach) and no paying of local players by any means. Each senior club could then decide which league structure they want to sign up for. Clearly the fully amateur clubs would have to agree to abide by the rules as the strictly no payment rule would be difficult to police

Haven't been on this forum before but just looking through some of the posts from the last few days.
Regarding the situation with clubs spending money on local players, I'm of the stance that it is their prerogative, but it certainly makes playing against them, and beating them (seldomly happens) all the more pleasurable. Clubs that do this have to expect the strong opinions that will come.
Personally, unless all your mercenaries are coaching I really don't agree with it. That being said, it's not the players fault. In some universe where I was offered £30k I'd certainly think twice.
Also, don't think anyone should have a go at unpires on a public forum, we are in short enough supply and they all make mistakes. Without them cricket would be a farce.
Andy

as we move towards a more professional era i would love to see a ten team premier league with 2 up two down and the restriction on pros lifted you can have as many as you want in all sections at least it would be transparent with all the cards shown on the table the best league has the best players so why not invite them all and be done with it instead of circumnavigating the rules which a lot of people say has been happening for years it definitely would be interesting and isnt that what cricket ireland wants ultimately ps my views are my own and this is a forum

Ref. Ivan and Bruce.
Quote Ivan. " Some of the nastiest people I played against are some of the nicest people I know off the pitch" , does not cut it for me.
I am sorry, but I myself took a string of abuse from 2 players last May when I agreed to help Donacloney out in a game. I did have my say in retaliation but have to admit, I don't enjoy this sort of thing. It is especially hard to take when it comes from someone of limited ability.
I tend to agree with Bruce's comments. I truthfully believe that the Asian pros that a lot of clubs had when I was in my prime set a great example both on and off the field.
I for one have never had a drink with anyone who has called me any sort of b and never will even if I play again.

Templepatrick Cricket Club Golf Day

This years event is taking place on Friday 14th August @ Hilton Templepatrick.

Tee times are available from 1pm - 3pm
£30 per person which includes, bacon butties prior to your round of golf and a bbq afterwards.

Contact me via marketing@templepatrickcc.co.uk to confirm your booking.
Thanks
Peter Shepherd
Templepatrick Cricket Club

Further to the recent article, posted by Clarence Hiles, in relation to my research into members of the forces who died in the Great War and who had a cricket connection with Ireland at some stage of their lives, I wish to acknowledge with sincere thanks the assistance which has been given to me by readers of the forum and also the new leads which they have provided. On the 99th anniversary of the start of the Battle of the Somme, I have learned much in the six months since I started my research, not least being that it was principally men from the Ulster Division who gave their lives on that first fateful day.

Yes Nile and that's exactly why I pose the question, how much of that billion plus revenue I refer too in my previous submission will filter its way down to the lower leagues and grassroots of the NCU ?

The sport here is played by the majority for fun and recreation but that's not to devalue or decry its relevance and importance. The Australian & New Zealand economies have been boosted by huge sums of money thanks to the success of the cricket world cup of which Ireland were a contributing member, to which the NCU contributes, to which I, like so many others, voluntary contribute every Saturday afternoon!

I just hope Clarence can get some positive answers from either of the two aforesaid gentlemen ?

BTW.. I'm not personally expecting anything myself but I wouldn't say no to a new cricket bat, mine seems to have developed a nasty hole in the middle!

The objectives of NCU cricket should be wider than your club winning a league or cup though that is an essential component. The main objectives should be (1) improving all players to their full potential (as many as possible to Ireland standard) and (2) generating more players.

If we can agree that these are our goals, it follows that we agree that “player producing” clubs should be incentivised by the system ahead of “player recruitment” clubs. For the avoidance of doubt I am not writing about any particular clubs here and not on behalf of any clubs.

So would there be sufficient consensus to introduce a form of regulation to NCU cricket by requiring that each club had to select say 8 players developed from that club’s youth system in their 1st X1? I suppose it would all turn on the drafting of the regulation but perhaps a “gentleman’s agreement” would be a start.

To all the free marketers I say have a look at the “land of the free” and observe how American Football and Baseball operate heavily regulated draft systems – they recognise the need to keep leagues competitive.

Well said Macca ( and Peter). I think these forums are great for stimulating debate but let's not all be in agreement all of the time. The last thing any group looking to progress needs are loads of " Yes" men.
As for nasty and nice. Some of the nastiest people I played against are some of the nicest people I know off the pitch and certainly would be the ones I would seek out for a yarn if I'm watching a game because I know we share a passion for the game .
I can remember being called a " fat b****** " on at least two occasions and remember having a fair few pints with the same guys after the game.

Clarence, if you get a moment or two would be kind enough to enquire from Mr Richardson or Mr Harnden, how much of that $1.1billion generated by the unprecedented success of the recent cricket world down under, will actually filter its way down to NCU junior league 9 ?

Would be most curious to hear their answer !

As Neil Gill rightly says the views that I have posted over many years are my own personal opinions. I have never purported to be anything other than someone who has a deep love & concern for the game that we all love. I have always respected the views of others who post on this forum but I must confess that I place less value on anonymous postings! Perhaps the recent input shows the dichotomy that exists between those who measure success by winning trophies and those who see success by club development. Ivan has eloquently stated the Muckamore ethos - a club in which I hold no office but one of which I am honoured to have been elected a vice-president a couple of years ago. One Premier club is currently benefiting from the past coaching of young players at Moylena and we are delighted at his success. As I said in a previous posting I believe that the wider NCU cricket is in decline if not meltdown and I would encourage everyone to read Michael Taylor's blog regarding the 8-team league on the "Northern" site on the CI webpage and then waken up & smell the coffee!!

Fair enough Andy , take your point. I guess it's no real concern of mine what happens at any other clubs . Apologies to any offended