Forum

'pros', professionals, coaches, mavericks, mercenaries, money-chasers !

To reiterate and clarify, the context of the above words used in my previous post but one, are in no way to be interpreted as a slur or meant to discredit any individual cricketer(s) or their reputations, who may or may not be in receipt of a few pounds for playing and participating in something they are obviously fine exponents off and enjoy doing!

The crux of my choice of words are directed at the policy makers, committee members and faceless bureaucrats at any particular given club whatever the case, who choose to seek/gain unfair advantage over their fellow competitors/rivals by waving a tempting, lucrative carrot stick over and aboard the guidelines and rules as per Union regulations!

Indeed for further clarification should one be tempted to go down this avenue, look back a page or two on this site and read/re-read my latest analogy ' The Mayor of Kilgore' to glean full appreciation of the errors, pitfalls and folly of such ill-advised actions!

IPS just think Strangford road is perfect amphitheatre and far more atmosphere their but I do love the GREEN (only ground in NCU I never played at ) ID HAVE CLOSED DATE and no matter where played id make it a date 90% club cricketers would want see the best in ncu go battle and if might just tell them how make it proper day out for everyone .IF top 4 in section one entered the premier yes still be lots one sided games but definitely be far more competitive that present set up and it actually save lots clubs £ and think you find their is lot better judges that me think it can work and very few players would leave their beloved club and would stop nonsense of teams scared of going up into premier in present structure . YES might take couple seasons to bed in but imagine the interest of the bottom six fighting out every week and yes the top six still be strong but id bet that lots clubs players be happier with 10 or 12 that present 8 (altho stats show its only6). Have say what NCU is doing at junior cricket winter nets tours to South Africa etc is fantastic so MASSIVE CREDIT to everyone especially coaching staff

Dundrum have been favourites for relegation from entering section one and yes this year we have been pi$$ poor with the pro being injured and very poor commitment and deservedly relegated but we knew this day was coming hence 6 years ago got overseas coaches to rebuild. The club has built a superb machinery store double sight screens covers made car park bigger and plans extend the boundary in two areas artificial wicket and lots small improvements that go along with improving all the facilities at the ground and we will continue to strive to upgrade as many things as possible . Dundrum might be down but like all in sport its how you get up again that's important .Think we were the only club in NORTH that took under 15 on tour and ran Indian touring team playing 5 matches in the area the NCU can only help us improve the game we all love but every club has a duty to get their clubs improved I for one am proud of how we are progressing even with relegation (even was happy to strip of ala Freddie Flintoff after BEATING Saintpatrick last week .) PS TAYTO still aint paid that 40£ BET lol and I would bet him 400£ we wouldn't win last week with 8 under 20s playing so future is still bright but lot more work to be done and I must sat STRANGFORD ROAD WAS IN SUPERP CONDITION LAST WEEK now that's two games that I will miss as cant beat derby games .pps thank got she is awake my finger sore typing.

Dundrum and myself have been ANTI PRO for over 20 years = wish we hadn't as we be lot stronger now as in 6 years we have now colts /15/13/11 all through having overseas coaches so had starter it long time ago as without juniors comin thru clubs will fold . Templepatrick/Cregagh /Donaghcloney have got great junior sections not because they pay fortunes to player simply because the have great structures and building future generations of fine players for what ever standard the can aspire too. IF pros were banned id still raise lots £ for coaching as that's were the £ needs spent not on paying silly £ to players who don't give toss on building a team club.We need to understand when the present crop of STALWARTS especilaay in all clubs below premier retire or pass on their is NO CHANCE that juniors will take on this role as the lives that they have is far removed from what we have .Think Paul Stafford has lot of really valid points and like everyone is entitled to his opinion as played at highest level and knows the game inside out .

John AGREE 100% The games against north west are superb (and we aint beat any them yet). This my own opinion and hopefully someone will listen if games don't start at 11/12 latest below premier in 1 or 2 decades their will be far less 2nd/3rd/4th teams as ive played 43 years and if was starting now I wouldn't last 10 years as the constant double headers 200 OVER WEEKENDS are turning lots away from game not mention ruining family life marriages etc(yes fine if you SINGLE). ID GO WITH 12 IN PREMIER on the same basis as john stated with only one relegated that way the bottom six wont have throw loads of WASTED£ on trying just to stay in premier also the bottom six would have no problem trying keep players jumping clubs just trying earn few £ . WIN PREMIER =500£ so its madness throwing lots£ to win half a grand .No doubt Andy Clement and rest trying brilliantly to keep all clubs involved my biggest rant is how can Waringstown vote for what Dunmurry section 3 needs or VICE VERSA (that's not dig at either club) .THE AGM is out dated as large proportion have no interest in lots proposals and vote hilariously = seen one club vote 2 for 2 against get each section to vote on what is best for their section an clubs particular needs? Dundrum have proposed 40 over game in section 2/3 to try in for one year if the clubs in them sections don't like it revert back (id bet lots £ that 95% clubs score the same amount runs). UMPIRES the present competition rules are a joke as I think 8 different sets regulations = I would love umpire but id need go night school to keep up with everything changing get back to basics .Cricket is simple game see ball hit ball now we have power plays silly inner discs how umpires keep going amazes me as without them and groundsmen we have no game as both get paid a pittance compared to soccer etc .ps baby sitting grandchild if she sleeps ill have few more rants . starting with DISGRACE THE SENIOR CUP NOT PLAYED ON SATURDAY AND CLOSED DATE =STRANGFORD ROAD if I was involved id increase the gate 300% and make it a day that spectators and more importantly that every SPONSOR WOULD BE LOOKING THROW £ AT CRICKET .SHOOSH chloe go sleep

John Stevenson mightn't say a lot but when he does I think we should listen.

The ice bucket challenge shouldn't be a real challenge to someone living in b**l freezing Buckna.

Some really valid points re how we improve the standard of cricket in the ncu.

I do think the premier league needs reviewed - to have a scenario where clubs don't particularly want promoted and are then having to overhaul their team to attempt to stay in the league is surely not what we want. I think perhaps with the current scenario we should move back to a 10 team league. My thoughts - Each team plays the others once and then the league is split into the top 5 and bottom 5. Each team then plays the other 4 teams once and then potentially there is a top two decider to win the league and one team automatically relegated. The 8th and 9th team then have a playoff with the loser the second team to go down - I think this would really raise the attention on the league and keep everyone interested for as long as possible, with a great climax to the season.
I do like the mix of competitions we have at present and I think it would be a mistake to lose opportunities to play against other unions. We also need to ensure that there is space in the diary for the interpros. Any more league games than 14 per season is too much to include all the competitions and the interpros if you consider our ridiculous weather.
Solving the financial issues is never going to happen. There will always be clubs with more money than others. How they decide to spend that money is up to them in my opinion. If their facilities are not good players will not play their best and they are penalising themselves - however that is their choice. I will say that I agree the money being spent seems to be over the top and could be more wisely spent.
I have to say for individuals to come on the forum and be critical of the facilities of my club or any club is unhelpful. Our scoreboard is better than yours or our teas are better than yours feels a bit like we are regressing back to the school playground.

Ivan - ask the guys in Section 2 & 3 about the "dream" of Premiership cricket. This is what I mean by "social" cricket. Sides trying to hang in there to keep a cricket "presence" in their area. Willie Adrain turning out for Dungannon at Larne recently - he's nearly as old as you!! Also - was there not some regulation about no pros outside of the top 2 Sections? I could go on but I've got to get reacy for my "ice challenge" and a big thank you to my grandson Jack for the nomination.

David
"At the Management Board meeting where it was decided to propose the introduction of 8 team leagues you got up and left..."

Again not true, and highly unfair to hint that it was some sort of strop. I was in the Competitions directorate and it was they who nominated me for the NCU Board. I attended one meeting and barely spoke. I missed the next through business and at the end of the third Wylie had been pushed forward to ask me to resign.
The reason given I was playing in the NW (for family reasons). Ludicrous. For a start I wouldn't have discussed NCU matters outside the meeting nor would anyone in the Brigade team been interested in them.

It was clear there were members of NCU had an agenda of their own and that was the excuse they wanted. (I had once described some of them as nodding dogs and that's the type of board member I reckon they prefer).

I made a very positive contribution to the Competitions Directorate which Roger Bell will confirm. I attended 2 Board meetings barely spoke and was asked to resign. Its clear I was not wanted there. Any other reasons you hear why I left are b*lls**t.

This all happened 6 years ago and is water under the bridge to everyone but you apparently. I stopped playing and quit my blog shortly after and have said very little since so you cannot say I have been continually shouting from the sidelines.

I have made my point on the 8 team league issue because I felt somebody had to. I have played in the Union for almost thirty years now and have represented it with Ulster Town back in the days when the NCU had two teams at the top of the Interpros and regularly won the ISC. I am entitled to an opinion irrespective of whether I am on the NCU board.

I fail to understand the term " social cricket ". If the measurement is that we aren't very good then is all sport in Northern Ireland " social " . Ards Rangers 2nds can't be compared to Real Madrid but try telling guys training twice a week that they are only playing a social game.
If sport is played competitively then it's a waste of time . Everyone should want to test themselves against the best. I remember knowing that John Solanky was coming to Lisburn before most as my boss at the time Eddie Lockhart played for them. I was 17 and just started playing for Muckamore and thought it was great that better players were coming to play in Northern Ireland.
I remember how exciting it was to bowl to Sharma at Instonians , Mankad at Lisburn , Lamba at Cliftonville and North Down etc . These guys made you raise your game. Bowling a maiden to these guys was a minor victory.
In sport there has to be winners and losers. Once we get rid of the pros will we then say that if you are capped by Ireland you have to retire when you get to 50 or can only bowl 5 overs . All this tinkering with selection like " must include 2 under 18's " etc I think is a real nonsense. Selection should be the best eleven against the best eleven. If young players are good enough they will be picked if not why should a better 19 or 20 year old player be dropped because of his age.
No matter what tinkering we do I think the top clubs today will be the top clubs tomorrow.

Is the editor suggesting that all clubs have the same amount of finance available? Surely the top clubs should be striving for excellence but it must be accepted that the vast majority of clubs are prepared to settle for social cricket. To do otherwise doesn't make sense. Does anyone remember the story of the king's new clothes?

I wanted to add to the whole professional debate.

From what I can gather, the basic going rate in each team in the premier league is 15k on average on players.

On a ground perspective, imagine what investing even half of that in pitches would do?

I have been very lucky this past few seasons at Muckamore in that I have had money put into a few projects. We upgraded the roller, brought in a number of new machines, and spend thousands on the outfields. And the program will continue.

I believe the grounds in the union have so much more to offer if they were invested in.

We now live in an era of paid players, paid coaches, whats next....paid groundsmen???

Improving club infrastructure + grounds + youth participation + 1 x paid overseas cricketer per club = money well spent !

Hiring 1, 2 or more cricket players for clandestine £ + bonuses = jolly money + leaves a sour taste + cause of disharmony/ dissatisfaction for all genuine cricket lovers !

I think you'll find my sums add up ?

Alan C.
That's exactly what happened on Saturday. Our 4ths played our 5ths.
David Edwards
You make a very valid point. If the NCU want to see more home grown players why not select a homegrown Knights? The argument that it would create an unlevel playing field could only be described as hypocritical as that's exactly the argument at club level. Also this stance that only Premier League players will be selected does little to encourage club loyalty or stop the polarization of the best players at a handful of clubs.