Forum

It says a lot about the state of our cricket when the attitude is that if you're a handy player you have to be financially rewarded...

Congratulations Nick Larkin and best wishes from everyone at the Ulster Cricketer. Good enough for New South Wales but not a depleted and badly hammered Ireland squad Down Under highlights the vast range of opinion in the minds of selectors.
Good luck Nick let your bat do the talking.

Re M. Parks - in view of the largesse that is being layered around the Premier League I don't think that you need to come on the forum to explain your position to anyone. The "status quo" of the cabal of the top section is reinforced by the restriction on pros down the Division. If my Euromillions numbers come up just wait to see who turns out for Muckamore next season. At least that would be a better use of the money than that woman in the NW has done to Sion Mills!!

Heartwarming stuff there from the Victoria C.C representatives.

When your 2 Indian players are openly telling opposition players they are getting paid what do you expect people to think? Both very handy players who would be hard to keep a hold of without financial reward...

Thanks for clearing that up gents.

You should probably ask a couple of players in your first eleven to stop telling visiting support that they get paid. Might put an end to these nasty rumours...

(Based on an actual character from my long & distant past )

Cherished dearly are the memories grand
of all the animals I've reared by hand,
there's been many pets down through the years
over those now gone, I have shed tears!

Cats, dogs, hamsters, fish within a pond,
newts and tadpoles that there spawned,
with rabbits I’m also equally smitten,
did you know an infant bunny, is known as a kitten?

But there was one magnificent creature,
a gift I received from my science teacher
that stood out tall and proud above the rest,
as of his kind, he was simply the best!

He started life as a tiny yellow chick,
but I fed him well and he grew up quick,
in adulthood, an impressive, imposing sight,
with my big Sussex rooster, no one picked a fight!

For compan I bought him six laying hens
he needed no encouragement to make friends,
he soon built a reputation for being bold and game,
so I called him 'Cogburn', after John Wayne!

One night a fox stopped by his chicken coop,
its clear intent to murder this sleeping troupe
but not a feather was harmed on any bird's head,
as next morning I found that reynard, bloody and dead!

One fine sunny day, he followed me all the way
to the cricket club, whereupon he interrupted play
he strode out to middle and boldly began to scratch,
frightening the players, so the umpires barred us both from the match

He once had trouble with a couple of rival foes who charmed his lady hens with amorous crows but old Cogburn by nature, a jealous bird,
when he got wind of this, his wrath was incurred!

He approached those impostors with a dropped wing, his unique war dance, a cockerel thing,
it ended quickly without a fuss or pain
and a couple of would be suitors, ne'er crowed again!

I once entered him into an old country game fair,
he won first prize, the finest fowl on view there
but I could not stay long to celebrate,
as old Cogburn grew frisky and fancied a date!

He broke out of his cage feeling perky,
and unceremoniously mounted a terrified turkey, so I rushed him back home, angry and moody, whereupon he took out his frustrations, on six hens lewdly!

Now old Cogburn has long since passed on
to a heavenly harem of hens, for cockrels with brawn,
but I’ll never forget him til the day that I die,
for he put the gravel in my gut and the spit in my eye!

So protect the honour of your wedded woman
never let her to be charmed by an unscrupulous villain,
fight like a man and she will always remain true
look your foe in the eye and just before battle;
cry out loud; ....."Cock-a-doodle-dooooooooooo”

William, I would like to know where the assumption that Victoria are paying multiple players comes from? In fact, we pay nobody, and haven't done so at my time at the club. The last six of which I have served as treasurer.

While pros have their benefits, and may be a necessity in order to compete in Section 1 and the PL, I'm unsure that I see the on field benefits of a professional to a Section 2 or 3 club.

Clubs such as Donaghcloney have a thriving youth section. The presence of a professional assists them to run an effective youth section, exposing them to good quality coaching, and helps them to develop players for the future. It can also make good financial sense, as more youth team members equates to more income.

However, spending money in order to climb few places up the league, could be seen as both short sighted and wasteful. Victoria have made great strides in the last number of years, and the progress the 1st XI have made on the pitch can be attributed to being able to attract new, and keep new and existing, players thanks to a wonderful sense of togetherness at the club, both on and off the pitch. The fact that it is assumed that our improvement can be attributed to an injection of cash is wrong. It also probably says a lot about our local game, that the only viable way that people can legislate for a team's improvement is that they must be paying someone.

Fortunately though, it is possible to improve without buying it. Personally, I will enjoy whatever success we enjoy, no matter how limited, knowing that it has been achieved with 11 men, as well as numerous players waiting in the wings, who want to play for Victoria, Any time I go out on the field, I have 10 teammates, who want to win a game of cricket for each other, not for a few notes in their pocket that evening.

Just want to add my condolences to the McCormick family upon the death of Ernie. Fond memories of an umpire who began to get restless at 6.30pm and you did not know what was to happen next. Joking aside it is hard when you lose characters who have contributed much to local game and who had a great sense of humour.

No we don't pay any players William and I'm not suggesting our committee would be totally against the idea, but as you'll appreciate, our home ground is situated within Lugan Park and rented annually from Craigavon Council at our own personal expense, no bar, entertainment etc. or over generous big spending overlords to raise revenue for such an audacious move even if we wanted too, though the few sponsors we do have to a great job in helping us stay afloat and helping with the ever spiraling cost of new kit and the todd bit of cricket related equipment !

Though in saying all that, the upside of our situation given our home venue is that we always seem to be fortunate enough to attract a new player or two every season, more by chance than anything else given we are based in a public park and practise there twice weekly too boot, plus we're right beneath the umbrella and catchment area of our more illustrious cricketing neighbours, Waringstown, Lurgan & Donecloney so now and again we get a player or two from these clubs who for whatever reason, fancy a change of location!

So as you'll further appreciate, we're very proud of our achievement, that is remaining in section two this season at the first time of asking, despite some openly predicting an inevitable 'yo-yo' occurance and landing straight back down into section 3 again for next season !

Esprit de corps !

Caleb

Does your own club not pay more than one player?

Following the death of Judith Hewitt comes the sad news of the passing of Ernie McCormick. So many memories of him especially of tours with Boyce, Kane, Goodrich, Stirling, et al. The last time I was speaking to him was at Carrick and he was still asking me if I had found his shirt (a long-standing joke that I had nicked one of his shirts in Blackpool) - as if one of his would have fitted me!! My sympathy goes to Vilma & family

Hi Neale,
The absurdity related to asking turkeys to vote for Christmas and should not be aligned to the merit of the objective. I'm 100% in favour of supporting all clubs big or small but I'm a realist. With a NCU administration block vote and the support of the beneficiaries it was amazing the Premier Clubs reached 50%. There are other ways to achieve the same objectives which are not divisive and I'm happy to meet and discuss them rather than engage in extended Forum exchanges. I can be contacted on 07518 586854.
PS
Was levying all professionals considered? That way we could have ten CDOs.
Regards, Clarence

Yes indeed Ed, agreed, first and foremost look after your own stable and backyard as that's the logical and practical thing to do for as we are well aware especially in times of austerity, if you don't, no one else will do it for us!

I wasn't aware of the proposed amendment to serial 7, that seems to be a fair enough compromise, alas, it also was rejected as you say by clubs mostly from section's 2 & 3, was it a case of a little intransigence by all present ?

Pity indeed though, as it now appears none whatsoever shall benefit from any additional surplus, financial funds that may have been available to support those who should find themselves in 'needy' circumstances come whatever ?

'he's my brother, he ain't heavy'..the Hollies I think ?

Calem,
Being different is not elitism or supercilious. It is part of everyday life where someone has a better job, a bigger house, a nicer car etc. Sport is no different and all team sports have a hierarchy where the biggest achievers hold the higher positions. These clubs have bigger ambitions, bigger outlays and bigger budgets. They are different to the smaller clubs and if you are suggesting they pay for the privilege they won't, and they shouldn't be described in derogatory terms because of it. There is plenty of merit in big and small clubs working together for mutual benefit but not with levies as the NCU motion promoted. I also feel there is merit is considering senior and junior committees to deal specifically with each group's specific needs as they are different. This is 2014 and if cricket is to prosper going forward we need to look at every option but this levy was poorly thought out and invited division. Your post confirms it, but when you read Peter Shields's email you will see North Down has offered help to other clubs in the area. They don't need to be mandated to do it, they will do it to promote cricket in the North Down area. Now it's up to the clubs and schools to take up the offer. I know the club will also follow up the offer with direct contact.