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Just want to add my support and best wishes to Cliftonville C.C and their continued battle for survival, on this forum there have been many critics who seem to enjoy kicking this club when they are down and I find that appalling to be honest. All our clubs are facing their own problems and nobody knows what is around the corner, some would do well to remember that.

Always enjoyed playing at Greenisland and their players are all top blokes as seen in the 2007 season when Armagh played them twice and enjoyed a late night chewin the fat after the Sunday fixture on the Mall.

Just want to say well done to Cliftonville on fighting the good fight! I hope they have a good season in the face of so many problems.

wish the grasshoppers all the best with ex Dundrum player Ray mccavery ( he definitly will enjoy pre match socialising & is the 2nd Dundrum player to tour Alan Neill (now theres a bloke could play & enjoy himself) put him Andy Clement with a beer it would be a LONG GOOD NIGHT might even get odd cricket story.Dundrum wish Cliftonville all the best at mallusk.

Simon
Thank you for your best wishes for the tour. Hopefully India will be ready for the Grasshoppers unique style of touring.

Unlike Singapore immigration officials a few years back who were under orders to protect the local population from undesirable Western trends. The unacceptably long hair of two young Oxford University cricketers meant a haircut or face being deported. I believe one of those young men was one Simon Corlett!

Re: Big Davy Hamilton...
..flip me, I didnt know that was your name Froggy. Good to see yur still involved Frog, are you still chucking your left armers down?
I guess the next few years will be hard for CCC, and I hope you find a proper home to rebuild. My personal opinion is Mallusk is not right for you, but you have many hard workers in your club and we'll watch with interest.
See you about Froggy..
Rhino

Just to wish Cliftonville the best for their move and continued existence. Most clubs rely on a handful of guys to do most of the work, and they make all the difference. We are going to need them more than ever with so many guys playing musical chairs and being lost to any club when they retire.
Whilst I'm on here, here's wishing bon voyage to the Grasshoppers for their trip to India. It seems incredible that the first tour was 29 years ago.

Froggy

You going to turn the arm over this year?

Good luck for this year at mallusk

Stevo,
Have you read any of my writings; Ode to a cricket legend,or 'Your Pro-v-Our Pro'. If you have not I shall rewrite them on this site, (editor permitting).
I believe they may help to calm the 'beast' writhing inside you.
Vic.

interesting that the umpire's course is to be held at Purdysburn!! Now why do I smile at that?!!

RE Mergers

We had discussions with several cricket clubs regarding possible merger/ground share opportunities, we even took a close run vote over one of these opportunities. The major problem with any such move is that the stellar players that another club might be hoping to entice are not guaranteed to move with you.
With 140 years history ,with several upheavels in our not so distant past, and a young team , we have decided to have a bash at maintaining Cliftonville as an entity at our former base of Mallusk. It's a place all Cliftonville players have called home at some time or another, albeit at intermediate or junior level and is still in travelling distance for our current catchment areas.
Where there's a will , there's a way

RE Ryan

Thanks for the show of support Rhino, Cliftonville will be fielding at least two saturday teams this forthcoming season, our junior section was decimated last season , what with no home base to work from, so it might be under age friendlies rather than league participation. We are indebted to our section one rivals of last season for the use of their facilities for staging our "home" fixtures . Whilst we have agreement with Belfast City council for priority booking at Mallusk, we are well aware they are facilities for hire and have no problem with other clubs benefitting from our sightscreens , covers etc when the grounds are free. The synthetic wicket on the upper level will be of great benefit to the wider cricketing family as well as ourselves.
Here's to the new season and the sight of your off peg hurtling towards the Chimney Corner. Froggy

Stevo... whatelse can I say??!! I told you all I know in my last posting!

Dan...

Tell us more...

Its true they also have deep pockets. I know Carrick have invested £'000s in their ground over 10 years and have a solid youth section. Fair play to them they'll get the hired guns to spent it back over the bar (maybe).

Stevo, you might want to jump of CI's back for a bit and turn your "quality" views to Carrickfergus. Rumour has it, along with their new pro, Gavin Ewing, there will be up to 5 new faces there next season. They have apparent links to an Aussie, New Zealander and a South African who all hold Irish passports, and the earlier postings pointed at Andrew Haire and Turk joining them too from North Down.

Interesting comments and history from Big Davie - didnt know about Shaws Bridge.
Having experienced similar with my time at Holywood, I can understand your problems and you soon find out who your friends are.
It seems you are putting a fair bit of money into Mallusk....is this you 'home' for the medium / long term then?
How will that all work with other clubs using Mallusk - will they be able to use your equipment, and what about 2nd/3rd XIs? I am just interested to know, but good luck and I am sure you will be competitive in all your cricket.
Also, what were your feelings about looking to merge with local clubs with facilities - worked well at Stormont.