Forum

I have heard that CI have signed Faisal Iqbals brother who is more than a handy bat.

CI Man I fear it is you that needs to ask the questions at Belmont regarding wages, although I don't have as many contacts as I used to my knowledge of the NCU is pretty good and accurate. As far as finance (wages plus expenses) is concerned, I can assure you that Khan + Bray + Butterworth + Pakistani pro + Dougherty + Cooper costs over 50k...
Paul, I'm not 'slagging' CI, merely questioning their logic.

Re Billy,

Don't believe everything you hear!!
Please tell me who are 'over half the side on professional terms' as I doubt 6 players are being paid? As for the 50K, I don't think you are living in the real world.

Re:Billy

I am a player for another premier league club and I say good luck to CI in what they are trying to achieve. I believe the time to slag them is in 3-5 yrs if they are still recruiting a team because it would be fair to say their youth development hasn't worked. From what I hear they have well over 150 kids on their books which surely is to be commended.

As for your 50k valuation I would say this is well off the mark. There is not one team in the premier league bar maybe Ballymena who don't have wage/coaching bills of under £20k.

I think the introduction of all these players like bray can only help make the Premier League a better league. Good luck to all teams including CI!

Dougherty to CIYMS done deal apparently...
Thats more than half the team on professional terms, is this for real?!
I honestly believe that it is their money so they can do with it as they please but if anyone can come on here and justify 50k+ being spent on assembling a team for local cricket then I would love to hear them.

Re Gary.

Taimur's role is youth development officer, Bray is Irish 19's mens head coach and A side mens coach at cricket ireland. The new pro will help continue our youth development. With over 50 at our youth nets in January I think we should be able to say that 'Ci's youth development programme' is structured nicely.
Thanks for your concern, now jog on.

Re VCC

Can I just ask a few questions about the VCC problem?

I dont think it is reasonable for a 650% increase in anything but what exactly do you get for £2200 under the new proposal, and how much was it costing before? i.e how much will it now be costing you per game/training session compared to what it was before hand?

Presumably these are things you could use in your argument with the council to prove that they're going to force you out of Lurgan Park

NIACUS Monthly Meeting on Monday 13th February 2012 at 7.30pm at Stormont.

Members and non members welcome to attend.

Re: R Bell

The NCU have been informed via email.

Unfortunately, with such a short timescale we have been unable to have any discussions with them, as we have to concentrate our efforts on opposing these charges, before they are passed.

Of course we would be, and are, greatful for any help/support we receive.

If these changes are implemented, we shall no doubt have discussions with the NCU. However, for now we must concentrate our efforts on doing all we can to prevent them being implemented.

Did Victoria contact the NCU for assistance when they found out about these problems? (I don't know the answer to that)

If not, perhaps they should have done so before going on to forums, sending out petitions etc?

Anyway, if the Victoria have done, I'm sure the NCU will do everything they can to assist, as they always try to do, despite the criticism they get from some quarters.

I appreciate that financial demands placed upon NCU but what about Cricket Ireland forgetting about some central contracts and paying for Victoria? Surely grassroots cricket more important?

Andy Kennedy & Marty McKeown:

Very valid and pertinent points you raise and far be it for me to pre-empt any action the N.C.U. may or may not take in the case of Victoria's difficult plight; I would contend that at the very least, they have a 'duty of care' and a moral obligation to try and assist one of 'their own' !

After all, aren't we all in the 'same business' together ??

re. Andy Kennedy & NCU involvement.

I would suggest the NCU do get involved in Victoria's plight, otherwise what is the point of being in a 'Union'. I know that my club has had difficulties with Belfast City Council in getting council pitches and I'm not sure that the NCU gave us much support in trying to book pitches, but that's an argument for another day.

So I hear that CI have signed an overseas professional to go with Bray, Butterworth and Taimur Khan. So much for this 'youth development programme' CI have in structure!

If Victoria C.C. are forced to dissolve because of what sounds like intransigence by pen-pushers on Craigavon Council who can't get their sums to add up at the near end of the financial year; it will not only be a complete travesty for them, but a major blow to all cricket throughout the N.C.U. !!

Folks please, at least sign the petition and thats not see yet another proud cricket club disappear into 'the ether' !!