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Re - CI Man
I have asked this question before, but unfortunately for some reason it was veto'd
Please define yourself - as I a confused as to what exactly a "CI Man" is...?
This forum does tend to go round in circles. Yes CI have money and yes they spend it. I do agree that the best time to judge whether it is a success is in a few years. If it helps them to achieve a vibrant and working youth section. That after all is the only thing that can provide long term stability.
When people spend money other people are going to be jealous that's life.
Re Billy
Yes Billy, I am very close to the pulse, you're not considering your outrageous facts. Interesting list of other team's paid pros, glad to see all these teams are trying to better themselves as well. Should make for great cricket in 2012.
Not impressed with the accuracy of the information on "professionals" as a lot of this is hot air. Andy and Michael Owen you are stirring the pot but since you ask the question I suspect many of the players you list are not paid. If anything CI appear more open about professionalism than anyone yet they get barracked by the nameless and shameless.
interesting to see both ends of the spectrum here with the annual slagging off of CI and the Victoria "issue". With all the signings at Belmont there must be a £ or 2 about! Also the earlier posting re how much Victoria were paying - do the maths. £2200 represents a 675% increase therefore -----
Well done to CI on making the PREMIER league a more competitive and quality league! Can't see what is achieved through CI bashing? Big men hiding behind a computer screen and slagging a cricket club. 50 kids at junior nets during the winter surely speaks for itself.
I personally look forward to my club competing against them this year
Davy, I stress again I am not CI bashing merely asking a question and relation to your second point perhaps it is CI who should be helping Victoria since they have obviuosly lots of money (merely stating fact not bashing). I honestly think you either are not that close to the pulse at Belmont or have your head burried in the sand if you can't see the financial implications of the new signings!
Andy agree wholeheartedly with your sentiments regarding clubs drive and ambition etc, but your list of potentially paid players later on is I would say only half right.
Re Andy Owen
Good point well made but you forgot about:-
Carrick - gilder bloom, eagy, holmes, pro, Stirling
Waringstown - Kyle, obus, Nelson, Hall, Kidd
Was thinking after my last post, which is probably not a good thing, but if CI do pay for arguements sake 5 players, there is at least 5 players on other teams that people reckon they might receive some sort of payment due to their international status, previously a pro or playing elsewhere for money?
Looking at a few of last years teams, would everyone think these players totally play for free?
Inst : McCann, Shannon, White, Morrow & Moleon
B'mena : Lazars, DK, Aphale, Kirkpatrick & JK
North Down : Russell, Sutherland, Haire, Khan & Moran
Lisburn : Ervine, Tilly, Rankin, Van der Merwe & Simpson
It is interesting when you breaksown a lot of the teams, even in Section One!
RE CI
Billy, you've missed Connell + Hanna in you list of paid (allegedly) CI players, I doubt if £50k will cover all 8 of these!
Re
Andy Owen
I agree and thoroughly enjoyed playing against McMillan, Pienaar, Jones and Barnett etc over the last few seasons. These guys have brought so much to our wee country and I think the ambition some clubs are showing should be commended.
RE Billy
You forgot about Peter Connell too who will be back at Belmont this year. Add him to your list.
With regards CI, I heard they are bringing Craig McMillan back, if they go the pro route.
I am a follower of another NCU Premier League club, and wish they had the forward thinking, drive, ambition that a CI have, as then we could recruit better players, coaches, as well as improve our facilities.
I would rather play with this type of player than against them, but would love to play against them too and test my abilities.
Those who took McMillan or Pienaar's wicket in the last few years have rather large feathers in their caps!
Billy, it's all very boring this CI bashing. This is taking us away from the topic of Victoria's plight which is a more concerning topic. With all your NCU knowledge maybe you could offer them some help?
CI have announced the signatures of Bray, Butterworth and Khan (3 players, recognised coaches, not half a team) and secondly as a member I know a little bit more about the goings than you do.
'Pakistani pro' must be some player if he is taking us to 50K, is it Younis Khan?
Billy....I put in for one of the CI jobs as well a couple of months ago, £20 a week was all I wanted to cover fuel expenses!
Alas I wasn't shortlisted, something to do with a 36" waist and no track-suits available to fit me......but there you go !