Forum

Re Florence

All of the 200 kids at CI are from CI. As they are all aged between 10 and 13 they can't be from anywhere else. They are all from the East Belfast catchment area, not enticed by money, car insurance or promise of free sweets but they come to CI as it is a safe, inclusive family club with great facilities and superb coaching.

Well said DK & some things are worth sharing - having played with & against Wayne Pearson for many years i can confirm Wayne to be a top athlete and all round cricketer (as well as a very fine man). Sadly, had Wayne played for a more 'fashionable' club (as perceived in some quarters) i have no doubt he would have played for Ireland - having 'sneaked' in a decade of practical Ireland cricket i speak from very real experience & can confirm i played with many less talented batsmen, bowlers & all-rounders than Wayne on the international stage. Balanced, dedicated and genuinely loved at Laurelvale CC and by those in the NCU who had the privilage to see the man in action.

RE: Florence et al

I really would love to hear the names of all the 'kids' we have lured 'for royalties' over the last 5 yrs from other east Belfast clubs?

I don't think you could call Hewitt,Heasley,Rofe,Cooper,Fourie,McMillan,McCord, or Bodi kids?

People as in any job/profession make it known they would like a change and if they are offered a package then they alone choose whether to accept it.

I am sick of having to repeat myself or Alan but the committee took the decision 4 or 5 years ago when we had no 3rd XI or an underage structure to make CI a strong club to go along with our quality facilities. The hope being that by building a youth section we could in 5-7 yrs time produce kids good enough to play Premier League cricket without the need for paying players. We are happy with how this is going - testament to this is when our colts won the colts cup in 2010 (none of which were paid or enticed with royalties or free insurance) beating Lisburn, instonians and north down on the way.

Taimurs signing is massive in terms of how we are trying to move our youth development on and help nurture the players coming through.

Perhaps we should start a debate on other clubs in both Premier league and Section 1 and their wage bills as I for one am getting bored of the CI bashing year in and year out - zzzzzzzz

Nile - "why does the sun go on shining, why does the sea rush to shore"..........

CI man - don't know who you are but DO know from grass roots level that you would not be worthy 'to tie the laces' of Wayne Pearson's boots - never criticise those you could NEVER emulate - you are confusing capability & ambition! Wayne you are a Champion..........

Simon - change the record - it's 'beat out' by now and your boring anti pro/anti money rhetoric...........get out more!

I see CI have now signed Taimur Khan...

I wonder - if and when CI finally buy the league, will anyone from their Club sit back and look at the trophy with any satisfaction...

I'm sure all at Comber are overwhelmed by Khan's loyalty - the sort of guy that will fit nicely into the CI set-up...!

Khan To CI !!!

Good luck to Taimur Khan - I hope you have strong shoulders ! Unless of course the new Player/"Coach" turns out to be a worldbeater !!!

Why do people conceal their identity on this blog?

It seems the old "CI question" has opened a lot of debate.
The spending spree over the last 4-5 yrs doesnt really bother me, if my club had the money we would probably do the same. The only difference is we would be extremely concerned about a distinct lack of silverware and young "homegrown talent"
As ive previously said it is very concerning how smaller clubs in the east belfast area have been stripped of their youngsters.
Ive heard it all to often of stories of talented kids being lured to CI with various royalties.
I wonder how many of the regular 200 kids at training are from CI ? Its a shame that smaller clubs have no chance to develop and win leagues with their young talent.
It is getting to be a real problem as many clubs have the same concerns but are powerless to do anything.
When does it end ???

Simon...Like most people I do not like being called a liar, so if you would like to post some evidence and facts on the incentives offered, we can discuss further. One piece of advice...Never call a man a liar when you don't know the person and for everyones information I am NOT Mackey!!

CI Man

Get your facts right - after nearly 30 years service to one club my dad was not a mercenary ! He was finished as a first eleven cricketer and decided he would help out another club who were struggling ! Unlike CI - we as a club have produced many players who are capable of playing at the top level of NCU cricket - come back and speak to me when you produce your first homegrown player who can do so !

PS Applying the sunscreen as we speak !

not really convinced by Alan's comments about not "tapping" players. I note the careful wording that he uses so it may not be a "direct committee" approach but that doesn't preclude an approach being made by "a friend". As other posters have indicated, approaches HAVE been made to players in other clubs but perhaps this is not the place for naming names. Having said that, this is the "same old same old" debate - used to be directed at Derriaghy now its CI, again. I wonder if the most successful league side will be going down the road of oversea player next season? - their "machine" continues to turn out home grown talent with young Ally Shields being a revelation this season. I have seen some talented lads down the club so perhaps the CI "machine" needs a couple more years, but maybe,like the English Premier League, they don't wnat to wait for home grown success. My experience of Mr. McMillan was somewhat limiteed but I did form a view about his attitude. I was spectating at Ballymena on a wet Friday when CI were struggling and Craig, having been out, was reading the paper in a different part of the ground when I felt that he should have been with his team-mates trying to encourage them but perhaps that wasn't his role. I'm sure there were will be postings about his contribution but as I say, it was only my opinion. My other issue with parachuting guys in is the effect on "home" players who lose their place on the team. There are guys I see walking round the boundaries who have been lost to playing because of this. And lets come clean about this - they can be called Development officers, player coaches, etc. when the reality is that, with notable exceptions such as Solanky & Merchant, they are hired guns brought in to try to win the Premier title and the incredible amount of prize money! Perhaps someone in the know will let us know how much the Champions actually win. Or maybe its the entry into Europe!!. Recession? WHAT RECESSION?

To: INT ER ESTED

Yes sure we can talk about whatever tomorrow night at the dinner. This is my first post in quite a while.
Looking forward to tomorrow night.
Macky

Clarence: CIYMS certainly keeps the site hits moving!

RE - Scotty

I think you should maybe sit in the shade for a while as clearly the sun has clearly affected your judgment.

What I said in my post was that at AT LEAST one other person BESIDES the 'Pro' gets paid in every Premier League Club and in a lot of cases '4,5,6' as you state in your post.

As for your father, commendable but in the end he turned out like a number of Premier League Cricketers, a mercenary lured by £££

Wake up