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First off is a player not free to play at whatever club he chooses? Fair enough if u choose to stay at the same club all your life but in my opinion if u move club u make new friends and share in the success of new teammates. Do you think someone like Paul Mccrum hasnt enjoyed his success throughout the clubs he has played at?

WAR, have a look at the Saintfield books are you telling me a few of your senior members have all been Saintfield men their entire careers and that you would refuse a talented young player from another club?

The way i see it some guys are clubmen others just want to play cricket no matter what team they are playing in, whats wrong with that!

Re:Springtime and all the migrating players

Interesting to read all the comments on players transfers/taps/poaches etc.....its all be said before.

The world of cricket must be in disarray at the thought of all this player movement around the NCU clubs.

I suspect deluded self importance and self interest/preservation of clubs is more to the fore than development of the skills of CRICKET within many NCU clubs AND players.

Well said Michael Shannon.
I have always thought that players who move clubs become nomads, and are lost to the game. Those who stay become allicadoos, and keep clubs going, and this is vital - especially for the smaller clubs. You are a shining example to others and are a credit to your club and the game.
If a small club does produce a talented youngster, he / she will be picked up at an early age by the system, and gain representative experience which takes them away from the club . However, there is nothing to stop them helping those who helped them, unless of course they have a purely individual ambition and have no wish to be part of a team.
On a personal note, the friendships forged playing for one team mean far more now to me than long forgotten achievements on the field.

Nile there will always be 2nd class if you deem 1st class to be the best. Down the years this was something associated more with North than any other club. They had the best ground, the most affluent club, the history, the big membership, the status-everything. Look at the number of players over the years who moved to North. They weren't poached, they just went. They wanted something better and in many cases that didn't involve playing for the 1sts. And I should add that even within the team there were differences in status. Reading the history of some clubs this was also evident elsewhere. Is it self-preserving? No, more a case of human nature. As for sponsors you get them with a begging bowl these days and it doesn't matter what class you are in.

Re-Michael Shannon

I would just like to agree with Michael Shannon, problem is that unlike him, there are too many specialist fielders and journey men who'd rather be rolled over to have their belly tickled than back their mates.

Good points Michael and Nile and I can't argue with either because they are solid. There will always be differences of opinion and this forum is a good platform for healthy debate and comment. Loyalty remains Michael, and there's no better example than yourself. You could have played anywhere mate!
On another note Ian Botham certainly needs to understand his roots better after saying "Northern Ireland is part of England" and also "I don't know the rules for qualification but I'm sure the two boards have an agreement in place."
He must be joking!

"The big boys are always the big boys" I used to keep wicket to an ncu great who sucessfully intimidated opposing batsmen by saying this.This is a historians view and a self serving view. Waringstown and north down are top clubs. But the rest of us are trying to knock you off your perch. So we want to keep our young talent. Clarence how do we get sponsors from local business if we accept that we are 2 nd class citizens?

sorry Kyle - you expect me to be able to read & write at the same time - no chance - too many digs to the head in my rugby days! Robin Walsh playing for Larne - was that before or after his Ballymena playing days after his arrival from the North-West? Young players should always have the opportunity to try their luck at the top level but always return to their roots if it doesn't work out. I recall a fine example when a fine cricketer and complete gentleman Jonny Craig returned to Larne from Ballymena and fell foul of a stupid NCU ruling at the time!
P.S. no humour in me Jim? I'm sure there are plenty of guys in the cricket & rugby worlds who have heard me speaking & would probably agree!!
P.P.S. - Radio Ulster Newsline tonight did a feature and "vox-pop" about why we dislike the England teams. And there was me thinking that it was just me!!!

Ref Hilers Comments

Hiler i agree with most of the things you say but will beg to differ with you on this occasion !I can honestly say that if a young player is developed and nurtured at my club that is were I want to see them play - I would hate to see them go to a proven Premier league team and make there mark there !

What better feeling for a young player to play for the club were he has learnt his trade and try to take that club to the highest level ??

I honestly think the word "loyalty" has disappeared from the game ! Far to many
players forget their roots and seek personal glory at a higher profile club !

What I will take from my cricket career was mainly the fact that I played for the club that I loved and with people who I consider to be my very best friends ! Not saying I'm right but its my opinion and I enjoyed any success with Holywood more than I would have enjoyed regularly winning leagues/cups with a club other than the one that I grew up with.

Hope all is well in Barbados

Cheers Michael

Agree 100% with that last comment...if youve nothing constructive to say...dont say anything! Both are hard working players not to mention good guys too so i am perplexed slightly by your cowardly remarks.....or at least have the courage to place your name with your comment.

Congrats must go to everyone involved in the Irish squad for their efforts, even though they didnt qualify for the quarter finals...a great effort by all the players, with luck not shining on the irish in a couple of tight games.

Surely time for an increase in one day internationals and tours (which can only be achieved through an increase in revenue attained from ICC) to allow us to compete with the likes of Zim, Bang and even the West Indies who are not that far away either - although can we produce a genuine 90mph bowler such as Roach??? Nothing wrogn with aiming high but may be asking alot considering England cant either lol!

Think some guys have to stop being a bit bitter here! The way some people are getting on may not make these young players want to return to that club at a later stage of their carear!

Well done Ireland. Great way to finish the tournament and on behalf of your fans all over the world thanks for some great entertainment. Also a big thank you to John Elder for his excellent coverage on the other channel especially today when the NZ v Sri Lanka match took TV priority in this part of the world.
This tournament is wide open.

RE- Chris

Bit old news that one mate...anyway one of them could only stick them for a couple of matches there last year.!

Heard a rumour Peter Connell is going to CIYMS.

commentary on cricinfo, classic stuff!!
"Andrew Strauss, meanwhile, has just held what looks to be a very stern team meeting. Presumably to explain just how Luke Wright is going to win them the match. He managed to keep a straight face throughout, which is impressive. "