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Re Mark

Your right on one point ..if he does bat and bowl like he can CSNZ will indeed have a great season..not so sure how their youth will also prosper (watching brief only) in his presence. And for the NCU ? what has that got to do with it ? Ask the INST youngsters !

Hey lighten up Michael. I've just read Staffy's Blog and it's very entertaining and well thought out. I like your football version too but are you sure football is any better off than cricket these days?
All that apart, I'm posting to wish everyone a happy Christmas from the Ulster Cricketer and a great cricket season in 2008. Keep the emails coming as they shorten the winter.

Just watched Staffy's Blog on the other 'channel' and he's definitely in dreamland now! Interesting board or was it 'bored' game as he packed in all his old gripes and frustrations. Fun to read 'though.
Is there a football version? Nothing in the North-West worth including and only Linfield and the Glens down here. For Lurgan substitute Glenavon and there you have it. Could be a money spinner that could give you the funds to lure Regan West, Taimur Khan, Andrew White, Derek Heasley and co to Pollock Park? Can you imagine what a strong 'coaching' team that would be and how the youngsters would really tear 2nd and 3rd eleven cricket apart? Now you've got me dreaming!

Congratulations to Brian Milford on being appointed the new NCU general secretary. Some people might see it as an 'inside' appointment but with his experience that's exactly what was needed.
Good luck Brian, you'll need it.

Stevo, if Regan West bats and bowls for the majority of the season CSN will have a great season, the NCU will have a great season and the CSN youth players will have a great season. First and foremost he's a good cricketer so whether he's paid or not paid is irrelevant. It is nearly 2008. We live in an era of professionalism and time doesn't go back

No big issue.

Just don't think that Regan will help develop the youngsters (will he not bowl and bat for the majority of their games and stifle the chances of the youngsters). Those who know him may agree. He is really a hired gun and CSNI are employing him to win or challenge for the title so why not admit that singularly ?

What's Steven Wilson on about?
Is Civil Service North not allowed to recruit like all the other clubs or should they be the only club to bring on young players and get hammered for their efforts. I'm not a CSN member but I admire them for moving with the times and looking after themselves instead of all these two faced website contribtutors who want to dictate to everyone.
If they aren't breaking the rules what's your beef?

OK Steven, we like different things to keep amused so if Staffy's teams do it for you then very good.
As for CSN why are people knocking them when practically every club does it these days? They've got a good player and isn't it better he goes to Stormont than North Down where it was rumoured? As for youth policies they'll still have more young players in their side than the other teams because they've good enough to be there.
Big Wayne will finally get the support he needs and let's hope they do well. The NCU badly needs more competition.

Re Michael.

I think staffy did a great job with the selections. I care as it generates much needed cricket chat over the "dark" months.
Interested to hear of CSNI and their new approach to developing youth..buy in the NCU hired gun and let the KIWIS do all the work.
CSNZ indeed.

Who cares what Glendermott are doing because when it comes to 2008 its results that matter not who's in the team and where they came from. We're all getting antsy with no cricket and if you want to enter into dreamland then humour Staffy and his county team selections. Can you believe he wants us to tell him who is likely to win and why?
Who gives a sh**? After all you picked the teams so you should know.
Watch Glenavon for a few months and then come back to the forum refreshed!

There's a rumour going round the North-West that Glendermott approached 20 players to join them next season. Sounds ridiculous but at least three at North Down was a good start. Any other clubs feel the strain?

Good luck Dazzler. There's nothing wrong with a new challenge and maybe Glendermott will be the northern team to watch because the Irish Senior Cup is going to die a death if it continues to be a Leinster whitewash. I'm a Leinster cricket supporter but don't align emails with one club because I don't speak on their behalf and I don't want anyone to speak to me through a club affilation. That's the thing about the forum, you can give your own opinion and everyone is entitled to do that. I'll look out for you in 2008. Good luck.

Brendan - still a north down member.

Paul thats cause for the last lot of years the northern teams have hardly competed in competition for long enough to get noticed!! We ll not go into why not.
Regarding being known in NW don't think anybody up there doesn't know who I am by now. Lookin forward to the banter when I do play up there.
What is your team in Dublin??

Dazzler should your email 'headed notepaper' not read The Rectory Field?

Dazzler.
Don't worry about me as I'm only asking what's all the fuss about? You North Down boys are very touchy and in your case you better get used to it as I don't think they'll be as polite in the North West when they are asking the same question next season. No offence but we've never heard of you in Dublin and I only asked!