Issue : £59 of Expenditure : Yes or No
Pity about this evening. People (I gather) wanted monthly meetings on fixed dates - hopefully they will be there. Tuesdays for me is a non-starter as it would have to be after nets i.e. starting sporadically in dribs and drabs after 8.30 pm.
Website - a couple of points:
2 of the 4 people copied into this email will struggle to comment meaningfully - LP doesn't have internet access and RW has a dial-up connection with a PC that only works every now and again.
It's not a question of "Which is better". The 2 sites do different things well but each does not do the same as the other.
Play-Cricket does the scorecards and the resultant statistics excellently and this cannot be bettered. If the scorecards are put in then they are there to see (with a link from the Cricketclubsbristol relevant page). It would be futile for Cricketclubsbristol to try to replicate these scorecards and the statistics they generate and impossible.
Play-cricket also does match reports, though the reality is that many times the captains don't do those reports and anyway it takes a number of clicks to get through to the page and often Play-cricket pages are slow to load. Cricketclubsbristol does the same reports - or better a summarised version - but these are easier to see as only one click is needed to get to them.
Playcricket also does fixtures and that's good albeit Cricketclubsbristol does it as well and (I think) in an easier format to absorb (one list, one window) - see the FIXTURES page at Cricketclubsbristol.
But beyond that, Play-cricket is very limited. There is a lot of material that can't be loaded and displayed at all - e.g. lists of officers, ground directions, minutes of meetings, photos, newsie items - and anything that is loaded has to jostle for space with the material automatically generated about the ECB and its doings that is not about F & P. If people want to find out about the ECB they can go to its site but all their stuff on the F & P Play-Cricket site crowds our material out.
The result is that it is not particularly an attractive site to look at, is not in our control, is slow to load often and although it does some things exceptionally well it does not do a lot of other things.
Also it is not highly listed or in some cases listed at all on the search engines.
Sure, if you put in search request FAILAND and PORTBURY, the Play-Cricket site will show up. But only people who know "Failand & Portbury CC" already would put those search terms in (i.e. the search is extremely narrow) and the idea is not to be appealing to people who know where to look already!
When you put in generic search terms like CRICKET CLUBS BRISTOL or CRICKET CUBS NORTH SOMERSET or CLUBS FOR CRICKET BRISTOL (which is what people in London or Australia do and people in Bristol and Somerset who suddenly want to locate a club near them do) then Cricketclubsbristol shows right at the top of the search results because it is a very old and well-entrenched (in the search engines) domain.
Thus, if you put in today CRICKET CLUBS BRISTOL into Google (and the order of results will change from day to day) then Cricketclubsbristol shows number 5 out of 1,670,000 sites listed worldwide with those words in it.
Play-Cricket in response to the same search request does not appear in the first 100 results. I have not carried on beyond that but would be interested to know at what position in the 1,670,000 results it does appear.
I should say that each of the 17 pages making up Cricketclubsbristol is separately listed as a separate website, increasing exposure multiplefold. So if you put into Google a really narrow search term for example PORTBURY CRICKET (which only someone with a very specific idea of what he is searching for would search - cricket in Portbury) out of the top 10 results Cricketclubsbristol's pages and listings occupy 9 spaces.Yes, Play-Cricket is there as well but you would expect that on such a narrow search.
It is worth bearing in mind that of those 10 results a number are third-party sites which have links to Cricketclubsbristol, these links having been made one by one over the course of a number of years - see for example our own LINKS page at www.cricketclubsbristol.co.uk. The point is that the exposure for Cricketclubsbristol is not just direct but indirect through many others' sites e.g. Beehive, Insignificants, Bristol City Council - look and see.
What all this means is that Cricketclubsbristol is a very strong domain hence a very valuable domain in marketing terms (i.e. reaching out beyond the hamlet of Lower Failand).
In terms of hits, the number of hits that the Play-Cricket site is getting is miniscule. It has a hit-counter built in so you can see. Given that a large number of hits are from Steve P and Mark Walker themselves and that all sites attract hits from multiple spammers, then you can see just how few people (outside the club) actually get to that site. Even the spammers can't find it!
So what does Cricketclubsbristol do that Play-Cricket does not do? It is a far, far quicker and better tool for disseminating news and information. See for example the FIXTURES page which had up on it within minutes of receipt from the B & D details of the new numbers to call results in to. That could never have been done on Play-Cricket.
It has far more scope for posting all sorts of material by reference to for example historic dates. So if Paul B or Dick were (at last) to email me electronic text of their report of visit to West Indies in 2005 (I never got it electronically so it could never go up) then it could be posted in minutes with a 2005 date and would take up its 2005 position in the thread.
The fact that there is not so much material of that kind up there is not because I have been sent such but declined to get it put up but because I have never been sent such.
Photos are another point. As you know, for a long time there were few photos on Cricketclubsbristol. That was because the internet is a changing medium. Even a couple of years ago people had slow PCs and dial -up connections. Now nobody (except Dick!) has a dial-up connection and PCs are much more powerful. So before, having photos slowed the speed of download dramatically. Now speeds are so much faster, having photos is fine.
And look at trhe capability of Cricketclubsbristol to show photos! Much, much better and more accessible than Play-Cricket. Do a seach in Google for CRICKET CLUBS and then go into all thiose which use the Play-Cricket facility. None of them will have anything like the range of high quality, expandable photos that Cricketclubsbristol has. And any photos they do have will be mixed up with ECB-generated photos which are not F & P specific.
Remember that Cricketclubsbristol is today updated on all pages by material posted over the course of a couple of days only. Now that it has an updated base, add-ons or revisions are much easier.
Also remember that the only photos up there are photos that have been supplied to me. Others must have photos but none have been supplied so they are not up there.
When this topic was raised recently, it was suggested that an outside operative be got to re-vamp the site. That's where the £150 came from. However, that is no longer an issue as I have just got it done myself.
That leaves just the ongoing maintenance costs. I have reduced these by getting our internet service providers to cancel the email facility to [whoever]@cricketclubsbristol.co.uk . The point of that has been to avoid using people's own email addresses on the site, getting them sent to a generic address and then forwarded to my home email. In fact, though, as things have turned out, people's own email addresses are up there anyway and as technology has moved on now most people use an internet service provider with automatic anti-virus and anti-spam filters.
So the only annual cost is for hosting the site on the ISP's servers which is £49 + the cost of renewing the domain licence annually of £10 = total annual cost £59 + VAT (VAT being reclaimable and no net cost).
£59.00 cost for huge marketing exposure and for huge photographic and historical and news-communication features is an extraordinarily small price by reference to e.g the cost of a night's drinking for Chris Smith.
As people don't it seems like to receive long emails, the contents of this one are posted on the NEWS page of http://www.blogger.com/ .
R
PS Steve, the reason why the only page that has not been updated is the North Somerset League page is because I think you have changed the password for that page and I am locked out.
----- Original Message -----
From: steve pursey
Sent: Monday, May 12, 2008 12:38 PM
Subject: committee Monday 13th
Bob, I will be unable to attend tonights meeting. What with playing on a Sunday and selection on a Tuesday, I feel it would be unreasonable of me to desert the family home for three consecutive nights all in aid of F & P. Maybe consideration could be given for having future committee meetings on a Tuesday (after selection) when half the committee would already be present. Just a thought!
I was asked to attend because of the website issue, of which I perhaps have greater insight than many.
Firstly congratulations on doing a wonderful job in the last week or so in updating the club site this week.
Secondly you asked members to look at all 19 independent listed items on the website (which I have done). I believe the same committee members should thoroughly peruse the play cricket (fpcc) site so as to form an balanced opinion.
My personal experience of trying to whip up interest for the fpcc site is that generally people are apathetic to these things. Alistair is a classic example. I must have asked him ten times or more just to have a look at what is on offer on the fpcc site and have tried to encourage him to contribute and use the facilities there. Several other commitee members have still not even checked out the fpcc site.
Nevertheless we have had 337 hits in the first 12 days of May alone, although Mark Walker and myself have made a combined 50 hits. The youngsters particularly like the fpcc site.
I must stress that it is not a competition between two sites, but as part of the North Somerset League it is an obligation. But because of this, the site is therefore free to all other f & p sides (including the comprehensive stats package).
As for the future of 'your' site, I think the main decision is cost. How much has it cost us so far, and how much will it cost, say for another 5 years. And is the cost worth it?
Certainly the site is individual, and when it is kept up to date looks OK, and the recent updates are an improvement. You must put in a lot of hours, Bob, which may not always be appreciated. If just you could bring yourself to put in the same number of hours on the fpcc site, we would have one of the best sites on the ECB network.
Perhaps you could find a sponsor for the club site, which will make it viable. If there were to be advertising space, could it even become profit making?
If I were to vote on whether club funds should be used to the tune of £150 I would say NO, but if a sponsor could be found I would encourage its' continuation.
Steve
Monday, May 12, 2008
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Thursday, May 01, 2008
SUBSCRIPTIONS AND MATCH FEES FOR THE 2008 SEASON
Subscriptions
1. All playing members - unlimited games and (except as below) use of facilities - £25.00
2. Life playing members - unlimited games and use of facilities - £0.00
3. Honorary non-playing members - unlimited use of facilities - £0.00
4. Junior sub-members under 17 on 1st September 2005 - unlimited junior and senior games and use of facilities - £15.00
Match Fees
1. All players (except as below) - £6.00
2. U21, U20, U19 and U18 students and retired senior citizens - £5.00
3. U17s and U16s - £4.00
4. U15s and below not able to play a full part (at captain’s discretion) - £3.00
5. Evening matches (not including food) - £2.00 (£1.00 for U17 and below)
6. U17, U15, U13 and U11 junior matches - £1.00
Fixed by Annual General Meeting 2007
R A Humphreys
Hon. Secretary
| A | B | C | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | OFFICERS 2008 | ||
| 2 | Honorary President | D.Bird (Auditor) | 01275 372 241 |
| 3 | Honorary Chairman | R.Whittington (MC) | 01275 875 308 |
| 4 | Honorary Secretary | R.Humphreys (MC) | 01275 372 239 |
| 5 | Honorary Treasurer | L.Prendergast (MC) | 01275 843 485 |
| 6 | 1st XI Captain | A.McArthur (MC) | 07950 262 131 |
| 7 | 1st XI Vice-Captain | S.Bachelor (C) | 07816 813 636 |
| 8 | 2nd XI Captain | I.Shafi (MC) | 07876 351 312 |
| 9 | 2nd XI Vice-Captain | G.Humphreys (C) | 07872 021 860 |
| 10 | North Somerset Captain | S.Pursey (MC) | 0117 932 4156 |
| 11 | North Somerset V/Captain | [none] | [none] |
| 12 | Sunday XI Captain | J Skinner (C) | 01275 847 470 |
| 13 | Sunday XI Vice-Captain | P Duffy (-) | 07836 202 901 |
| 14 | Midweek Captain | P.Bachelor (-) | 01275 844 572 |
| 15 | Chairman Selection Committee | P. Nice | 07720 054 638 |
| 16 | Youth Organiser | L.Prendergast (C) | 07773 728 427 |
| 17 | Fixture Secretary | P.Bachelor (C) | 01275 844 572 |
| 18 | Bar Officer | R.Sheppard (C) | 01275 372 186 |
| 19 | Assistant Bar Officer | C Smith (C) | 0117 926 2467 |
| 20 | Ground Officer | P.Bachelor (MC) | 01275 844 572 |
| 21 | Other Management Committee member | M. Day (MC) | 01275 375 847 |
| 22 | Other Management Committee member | R. Sheppard (MC) | 01275 372186 |
| 23 | Other Committee members | C Smith, I Chivers | |
| 24 | MC - Management Committee C - Full Committee | ||
| 25 | Selection Committee | ||
| 26 | Steve Pursey, Ijaz Shafi, Alastair McArthur, | ||
| 27 | Paul Nice (Chairman), John Skinner, Hugo Hanchet | ||
| 28 | Subscriptions | ||
| 29 | Senior Members - £25 | Junior Members - £15 | |
| 30 | Match Fees for senior games - £6 Evenings - £2 | ||
| 31 | Under 21s - £5 U17s - U16s - £4 | ||
| 32 | U15s and below - £3 Junior Match Fees - £1 |
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE HELD ON MONDAY 20TH MARCH 2006 AT THE PAVILION
Present
R Whittington (Chairman)
R Humphreys (Secretary)
L Prendergast (Treasurer)
R Sheppard
P Bachelor
J Bachelor
S Pursey
B Raines
H Humphreys
Apologies
A McArthur
P Nice
E Humphreys
G Humphreys
W Humphreys
Absent
A Bamber
J Billing
P Dungey
1. The meeting opened at 7.40pm.
2. Apologies were given and the minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.
3. There was a brief discussion of current finances and the Treasurer supplied the temporary finance statement, a copy of which is attached.
4. One action needed is the finalisation of the review of the 2005 accounts by the President and for this the Treasurer needs this applied by the Bar Officer of bar account details for that period.
5. It was noted that North Somerset Council need signed-off accounts to accompany the grant application which the Ground Officer is making for a flat cover.
6. There followed extensive discussion of bar prices. It was noted that at previous meetings it had been agreed that prices would be put up. However by no means all members in attendance were in agreement and the issue was re-discussed.
7. It was concluded that the decision for increasing bar prices should not be left to be borne entirely by the Bar Officer (to meet inevitable criticism from outside) but should be a committee decision. In consequence, it was decided that: - the bar list should show the price for a jug of beer (6 pints) at £13 - an increase in the price of soft drinks of about 20% should be shown on the price list - the price of nuts should be increased by up to 50%.
8. There was discussion of adding additional snacks and similar to the fare behind the bar but it was pointed out by the Bar Officer that goods of this kind are subject to loss through pilfering.
9. The discussion then moved on to the issue of fencing. Extensive fencing work needs to be done but how to do it?
10. The Treasurer’s view was that current finances would not sustain the paying of a fencer to install fencing.
11. The point was also made that if in the future the ground were to be extended, then any permanent fencing installed would need to be removed.
12. Bernard Raines made it clear that he could perhaps devote a morning or so to doing fencing but was not in a position to allocate several days to an exercise of this kind. He just did not have the time.
13. John Bachelor offered to price up the costs of posts and to liaise with Bernard Raines over mechanics.
14. A fencing sub-committee was formed comprising J Bachelor, L Prendergast, B Raines and R Whittington. The exercise which they undertook to do was to get the job done by 1st April with remaining work done by 8th April 2006.
15. A proposal was made to bring in the perimeter of the ground by installing fencing inside the existing fencing. Objections were made to this, not least by the Secretary, on the basis that it would needlessly reduce the size of the ground whereas the aim should be to increase its size.
16. The Secretary was asked to and agreed to supply the Ground Officer with the contact details of the mole man.
17. Lyndon Prendergast agreed to email everyone alerting them of a working party on Good Friday at 9.30am.
18. Discussion of junior cricket took place. The committee noted that L Prendergast was Youth Officer and that he and J Bachelor are to do the U15s, which has been entered into the League.
19. P Bachelor reported that the Fears have agreed to paint the pavilion on 3rd April.
20. In the absence of the Fixture Secretary, it was reported by the Secretary that he believed that the fixtures were in hand.
21. It was noted that the bowling machine had been acquired. It is to be kept in the .... The question of who is to have keys to the ........... was raised but not disposed of.
22. The Chairman reported that he had attended the Bristol & District League meeting.
23. P Bachelor reported that he had spoken to Ian Bullock who said that he is happy to come along on Tuesday nights and give assistance with bowling coaching.
24. The Ground Officer is still looking to identify a carpenter who can come and repair the stanchions on the outside of the pavilion.
25. Bernard Raines had spoken to the 2nd XI captain Alastair McArthur and reported that the latter is still keen to return from London weekly and captain the side, though he will not be available for selection on Tuesday evenings.
26. The Treasurer reported that he had paid the outstanding rates.
27. Information about Ijaz Shafi’s charity dinner was disseminated.
28. It was reported that some business or another in relation to the water had been concluded.
29. It was decided that Tuesday 26th April at 8.00pm should be the date of a players’ meeting.
30. The next meeting was fixed for 10th April 2006.
31. There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.30pm.
………………………….. Chairman
………………………. Date
MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF
FAILAND & PORTBURY C.C
HELD AT THE PAVILION AT 7.30PM – 31ST OCTOBER 2005
Present
R Whittington (Chairman)
R Humphreys (Secretary)
L Prendergast (Treasurer)
R Sheppard
P Bachelor
H Hudd
J Billing
J Bachelor
C Whyte
H Humphreys
A Trineman
R Andrews
J Skinner
P Dungey
A Bamber
P Nice
W Humphreys
A McArthur
D Bird (President)
B Raines
Apologies
E Humphreys
G Humphreys
S Bachelor
I Chivers
P Teasdale
M Henley
N Harrison
S Pursey
J Fear
J Meredith
S Meredith
M Meredith
T Lippe
S Cox
Ijaz Shafi
J Parfitt
1. The meeting started at 7.45pm. Apologies and absentees were taken. Voting slips in respect of awards were distributed.
2. The minutes of the AGM on 2nd October 2004 were read and approved.
3. The Chairman and Secretary delivered their reports (attached).
4. The Treasurer delivered his report with attached accounts which were to be reviewed in due course with the club’s auditor. On that basis the accounts were approved.
5. The Bar Officer reported on the operation of the bar. Organisation during the year had been good. There has been price movements upwards but maybe prices could go higher. There was discussion in relation to prices and it was left for the new committee to decide the prices structure.
6. The Fixture Secretary delivered his report. The schedule has been fuller than in the previous year with a number of new games. Approval of the fixture list for the 3rd XI (with games every week) was expressed by 3rd XI players. There was a discussion of whether or not to enter into the National Village competition. It was decided that we would enter this year but that gaps would not be left in the schedule for reserve dates (in the event that the cup game was rained off), this being on the basis that if there were a subsequent clash then we would default on the National Village game.
7. The Ground Officer delivered a report on the square. £300 expenditure was approved in principle for a new pitch cover. Bernard Raines was asked to take the lead in organising a hedging and fencing working party during the winter.
8. H Humphreys gave a short report on social activities/events. There had been a short informal tour to Ifracombe and the club dinner had been arranged for 19th November.
9. The 1st XI and 2nd XI and 3rd XI captains delivered their reports.
10. The Sunday XI captain delivered a report. It was observed for next year that a captain was needed who was committed to selection on Tuesday nights through the season to link up with the juniors so as to be able to introduce them into senior games. This is an important role.
11. The Youth Organiser delivered his report although confirming that he had resigned during the course of the season. The meeting expressed its regret but thanked him for his enormous efforts and successes with the Juniors over a number of years. J Billing reported on the U11s. There was a great deal of enthusiasm and new players and also a handful of really good players who were participating in some of the North Somerset squads. It was disappointing to have lost the championship owing to the cancellation by another side which could not be replayed. G & E Humphreys were thanked for their assistance with U11 level training.
12. There was discussions as to whether Under 15 and Under 13 teams could be run this year. It appeared that a number of players at U15 level were being lost to Lodway. There was a suggestion that Luke Looney (one of the parents) might be willing to be involved in organisation of U15 level next year.
13. The Chairman expressed a strong view that of the club was to continue to be doing well in 10 years time then junior cricket had to be in place and successful now.
14. J Bachelor volunteered to run a U15 side if it entered into the B & D League with fewer games.
15. J Billing was thanked for her efforts in looking after the large U11 squad during the year.
16. There was discussion as to who would take over the role as Youth Organiser for next year and it was left that the Chairman would review with all those involved (including J Billing, J Bachelor and relevant parents) with a view to seeing a way forward. However, no one was prepared to take on the position as Youth Organiser at the present time.
17. There was no proposal for rule changes.
18. Election of Officers for the 2006 season took place, such being as per the attached list.
19. Annual subscriptions and match fees were fixed as per the attached list.
20. There was discussion on indoor cricket for the winter with the feeling being that H Humphreys would run the Bristol team, T Lippe the Taunton team and if a new indoor league for over 50s were to be started at The Downs School then we would enter that as well.
21. There was discussion as to a tour and it was determined that there would be no tour this year. The mini tour(s) which had taken place last year if at all possible would be repeated.
22. The opinion was expressed that the six-a-side competition had been a great success and it was hoped that this could be repeated next year.
23. P Bachelor reported that there was a possibility of getting a grant for a new bowling machine and there was a discussion of this item of expense. It was resolved that, subject to finance at the time, the club would proceed to invest in a bowling machine.
24. It was determined that if Monty Desai were to be able to come over to the UK this year then he would be welcomed and his match fees and subscription payments would be subsidised if he were to get here. However, no payment would be made to him.
25. It was observed that the attendance at this meeting had been relatively low and in view of this it was determined that the AGM next year would be held on a Saturday morning.
26. There being no further business the meeting closed at 11.05pm.
……………………. …………………………..
Chairman Date
SECRETARY’S REPORT 2005
This report is delivered in shortissimo mode.
Players - over 60 of them represented the club (or should it be that they were all over 60?). This must be good for match fee income and widening participation (amongst the elderly).
Members - Lyndon's list shows 42 subscriptions paid, 4 in default of subscription, 8 life members and 2 honorary members totalling 56. Subscriptions are not our largest source of income but the payment of a subscription reflects at least some consistency in availability.
For formality, this meeting needs to resolve to admit all such as club members for the 2005 season.
Out of the honorary members, Howard Hudd's continuing interest in the club continues to be appreciated and thanks as always are due to our President David Bird for the interest in and practical help to the club which he maintained throughout the year.
Full Committee meetings - they were happening fairly regularly until early June. Then I convened one but not enough people turned up and so there was no quorum. I lost heart (my pen) and did not convene any more until October. My fault I am afraid. Will aim to do better if given another go next year.
Management Committee - there were 2 meetings of such. The first approved a remuneration package to be offered to Monty but events overtook it as his visa was refused. The second formalised the 1st XI Vice Captain's appointment to the Captain's position on a permanent basis in place of Monty.
Website - there were 2 such. Steve Pursey did excellently with his. His 3rd XI and junior statistics were complete and so it worked for those teams. For the others, usefulness of the statistics reflected the consistency with which score cards for games were supplied to Steve by the other teams (difficult, admittedly).
The main club site had a mix of material. Very well done to Marvin Straightjacket for keeping this going and to Steve Pursey for ensuring that his team's reports were always posted up. Note that this site is (for example) listed on Google in response to the search request "cricket clubs Bristol" in number 1 position from the 469,000 sites containing those words thrown up by the search. As a result of this, a number of new enquiries from players and touring sides seeking fixtures were received.
That’s it.
Robert Humphreys
Hon. Secretary
31.10.2005
Treasurer's Report 2005 (L.Prendergast)
The first thing to report is this years accounts cover a thirteen-month period.
Although one extra insurance payment has been paid, the major difference from last year’s accounts is the end of season cost of repairs to the square for both 2004 and 2005 have been included.
The cost for a single year’s repair to the square is approximately £400 and this has made a substantial difference to the final expenditure figure.
Match fee income has gone up and this in part is due to less money being outstanding this year and arrears from 2004 season not being in the accrued income column.
Hire games income has risen but this area needs some refining between the fixture secretary and the club groundie.
Unfortunately we were unable to obtain a grant from the Lords Taverners this year and therefore we suffered a drop in this area.
Miscellaneous income came from three main sources, a generous donation from our club president, the Fantasy Cricket Competition and a substantial refund from the VAT man.
The increase in ground/clubhouse expenditure has been explained earlier.
Because we had a number of inaccurate estimated readings, there was a substantial one off electricity bill to pay. Things are back on track, although the large increase in the cost of utilities will have to be closely monitored.
One thing I would like to emphasize is the cost of playing cricket today.
Forgetting the enormous amount of time required preparing the wicket and outfield a number of obvious costs are now appearing. Umpires officiating at our league matches now cost us £20 per match, added to the £20 for match balls for home matches is taking a huge chunk out of match fee income.
The cost for each player at home matches is over £3:50 before any hidden costs are taking into account.
To run a village cricket club of our size has become a very expensive business nowadays so income must reflect this increasing cost.
Lyndon Prendergast
Hon. Treasurer
Chairman’s Report for 2005
After a couple of months of indoor nets we started the season hopefully with rumours of a new fitness and practice regime for the senior players, and 1st X1 captain elect Monty Desai leading by personal example.
Unfortunately, despite immense efforts on the part of our Hon Secretary, Monty was unable to gain a visa to allow him to come over for the whole season, so we started very much on the back foot. Ed Humphreys, who was looking forward to a year of learning as Monty’s deputy, was thrown into the deep end, and the team as a whole only fitfully played to its real potential. By the end of May when it was clear Monty wouldn’t be able to make it, the Management Committee decided to appoint Ed to the captaincy, and Paul Nice took over as vice captain primarily to give much needed off-field support. Although haunted by the spectre of relegation at one stage, the team pulled out the stops in the last couple of matches to show what could be achieved next year, with a bit more organisation off the field and determination on it. Well done Ed on surviving a baptism of fire!
Promoted to the senior division, the 2ND X1 performed very well, finishing a more than respectable half way. No doubt Henry will have been disappointed not to have done even better, but if, as threatened, he stands down next term, he can be proud of what the team has achieved under his leadership over the last two years. Several of the younger members of the team would surely do well in future at Ist X1 level. As with the 1st X1, it is disappointing that more players don’t make themselves available really regularly – I’m not sure other team sports would be as accommodating.
Notwithstanding Steve Pursey’s indefatiguable leadership, and some good individual performances, the North Somerset X1 struggled rather, with the standard of opposition generally stronger than in previous years – several sides fielded a number of players of 2nd and in some cases 1st X1 strength, supported by much more youth and vigour in the field than we could muster. In the longer term, if not for next year, we will have to decide whether we can continue with a substantially “veteran” approach, or whether we need to restructure our North Somerset side.
In the absence of a regular captain, and with fixtures limited by the demands of the Village Cup as well as the North Somerset League, Sunday friendlies was again rather a mishmash. Some excellent games were played – for example against Taunton St Andrews – but at times we found it very difficult to get a side out. We really do need someone to take Sundays on – with enthusiasm and consistency it can be very rewarding, as well as an opportunity to bring on new and/or younger players.
Junior cricket continued to flourish at Under 13 and Under 11 level, thanks very much to the efforts of Mark Walker and Jane Billing. Unfortunately one or two controversial incidents involving other clubs rather clouded the season off the field, and I sincerely hope that this won’t jeopardise our prospects of taking junior cricket forward in 2006. We are a small club, without the coaching resources of (say) Weston or Nailsea, and we were unable to progress our bid for “Clubmark” status. However, for the long term success of the club, it’s very important that we are able to run junior cricket, and it would be particularly helpful to restart an Under 15 side next year, as that should provide a source of younger players for senior sides in the near future.
During 2005, the club hosted two junior county matches, Under 13 v Cornwall and Under 12 v Bucks. Both games were well attended by parents and supporters, and showed our facilities off in a very good light.
For the size of our ground and particularly the square, we play an enormous amount of cricket – every Saturday and most Sundays, midweek friendlies, 2 evening cup competitions, 3 junior teams and several hire games (essential to bring in revenue). That the square continues to play so well is thanks almost entirely to the efforts of Paul Bachelor, to whom everyone who plays here ought to be tremendously grateful.
As well as Paul, I’d like to thank Committee members and others who work hard behind the scene to keep the club in good order. There are many challenges for clubs of our size – one example is all the bureaucracy (and expense) of applying for a new bar licence under the government’s wonderful licensing laws. We are very fortunate that Bob is able to apply his legal talents to finding our way through such potential nightmares. I can’t mention everyone here, but I would once again like to thank Lyndon for keeping the books in good healthy order (as well as producing mountains of statistics and running the Fantasy league).
As ever, a relatively small core of people do most of the work, but ALL team members should at least do their bit at the weekend – captains have enough to worry about without having to run the bar/clean the changing rooms/collect the money themselves. Last year we said we were going to introduce proper rotas for the various match day tasks – I regret to say it didn’t happy, and that needs to be a priority for next year’s Committee.
So – it’s been a demanding year, with more than our fair share of problems and crises, but as ever we’ve survived. Here’s to the clocks going forward in 2006, and a new cricket season to look forward to !
Dick Whittington
Chairman
Wednesday, December 22, 2004
With the 2004 Annual General Meeting brought forward the accounts cover a period of eleven months.
When the committee set the date it left very little time for me to collate all the information I require for the various reports and statistics needed for the Annual General Meeting.
With so little time available to me I make no apologies for not having been able to sit down with our Auditor David Bird to finalise the accounts. I will endeavour to arrange a time with him to run through and have accounts correctly audited.
Thanks to the computer age the role of Treasurer can be eased in that one can keep track of the many transactions over the year much more quickly. What it can also do is put you in the deep mire if a computer blows up. Unfortunately the server for my office p.c. went down and the one at home would not read my back up disk. Thankfully I always produce a hard copy for the committee and was therefore able to transfer all transactions onto my home computer.
I run three different tracking methods of accounting and thankfully all three have produced exactly the same figure at the end of the financial year.
A few points to note are as follows:
The income from the ground hire covers both the 2003 and 2004 seasons.
As you can see there were very, very few games, due in no small part to the dreadfully poor weather.
If members wish to keep the cost of their cricket down, then we must increase our income and one way to do this would be to double the number hire games, with all that entails, such as pitch preparation, availability of the ground and bar personnel.
The accrued income is for outstanding match fees and junior fees. Some of the outstanding amounts have already been received but too late for this year.
The miscellaneous income has come from three main sources
Vat Refunds - BBQ money - Clevedon Sixes Event
The accrued expenditure will come from Indoor Nets hire at the Downs School, Umpire Appointment Fees and the imminent purchase of a petrol driven hedge cutter. Not included is the cost of loam required for the square (invoice not received)
Lyndon Prendergast
Chairman’s Report for 2004
I believe this was a successful season on the field, and (subject to the final pronouncements of our diligent Treasurer) a satisfactory one in terms of balancing the books. As ever, though, there are some issues to reflect on, and some important questions for the future.
The 1st X1 did well to recover from a dodgy start to get up among the promotion contenders, although one or two disappointing defeats meant that their outstanding performance in the last game of the season against runaway champions Bedminster was only a moral triumph. My observation is that we have a strong young and well balanced squad, which should be good enough particularly in batting and fielding to challenge for promtion next year. The question perhaps is whether the desire is really there. John Bachelor has led the team by example, but he wants to step down next year, so this will be a critical appointment.
The new-look, youthful (mostly) 2nd X1 under Henry’s inspirational leadership were Failand’s team of the season, winning promotion back to the Senior division at the first attempt. George Humphreys’ outstanding all-round performance earned him a deserved “Player of the Season” accolade, but there were several others too who should be pushing current 1st X1 members hard for selection next year. I would expect the 2nd X1 to do well next year – provided we can do something about what has now become a traditional slow start with stretched availability until the end of June. Well done Henry, and good luck for 2005.
The North Somerset X1 also did well, finishing in the top half of the new-look “Sunday oriented” division 5a. As expected, Steve Pursey proved a popular and energetic skipper, conscientious and hard working off the field, and always entertaining on it. At the time of writing, we don’t know what changes lie in store for the North Somerset league, but I think it’s fair to say that the whole squad will be up for (yet) another season next year.
Sundays were a bit of a mixed bag this year, partly due to the prevelance of North Somerset games and limited availability. Our venture into the Woodspring League finally petered out, but some good friendlies were played in the latter half of the season, with Tony Bamber taking charge in astute fashion on several occasions. Subject to other commitments, we need to reinforce the fixture list next season, as Sunday games have an important role in giving new or younger players opportunities, and in developing club spirit. But we do need players in all teams to make themselves available clearly, promptly and consistently – particularly early in the season.
Junior cricket was again strong at the younger age levels, thanks to the efforts of Mark Walker with the U13s and Jane & Rod Billing with the U11’s. However, our reliance on boys from The Downs school tends to make it more difficult to keep junior players and form an U15 team, which is really important if we’re to develop the senior players of the future. We are reaching a stage where we need to decide whether and how we can develop youth cricket at Failand; the ECB’s emphasis on Focus Clubs gaining formal accreditation for youth coaching is a big ask for a club of our size, but without it we may find competion from the larger clubs too intense.
Once again, all Failand teams were able to enjoy playing on some of the best wickets in the area, and everyone should be grateful to Paul for his hard work and expertise in getting so much out of what is a comparatively small square. There’s work to be done getting the hedges and fences in order for the new year, as we want to ensure that we continue to enjoy such superb playing facilities. Of course, we would like to be able to acquire a bit more land to make the boundaries slightly more bowler-friendly, and that’s something where we need to be able to invest some money if and when the opportunity arises.
As with most clubs, a relatively small number of people do most of the work off the field – which is not a criticism, more a fact of life apparently. Over the last couple of seasons there has been some muttering about people leaving straight after games (not surprising I’m afraid given so many late finishes – we are proposing earlier starts next year) and/or the club being left in a less than tidy condition. The Committee are determined that action will be taken, so a simple job-sheet will be introduced for all home matches to make sure that everyone does their bit to take some of the burden off the captains. I hope we will all do our best to make this work.
Finally, back to the playing side. The age profile and potential in our 1st and 2nd X1s suggest that we ought to be able to succeed at Senior levelin the B&D. Many of us think that we need now to step up our efforts, to work on our skills and instil a bit more discipline. The Committee have decided the Tuesdays must be reserved for nets next year, and that they should be treated as a serious practice session, with proper coaching and an equal emphasis on fielding. I hope that a bit more effort and organisation will actually increase everyone’s enjoyment as well as improving performance – in which case there ought to be an awful lot to look forward to in 2005.
My thanks to everyone who’s worked hard to make 2004 a good year for Failand. See you at Indoor Nets after Christmas!
Dick Whittington
September 2004
Thursday, April 03, 2003
SECRETARY’S REPORT: 2002
1. Many thanks to all those who served on the management committee and on the full committee this year. Attending meetings and doing the jobs that need to be done each year does require a commitment of some time (though I must say not I believe an excessive amount) and the efforts of all are appreciated.
2. Thank you also to those who were not on the committee but still did important jobs – e.g. Matthew Meredith cutting the outfield, Jamie Fear organising the painting.
3. Some committee members serve because they are directly elected but many have their place on the committee ex officio (as a function of their office). That means that if they accept a position as captain or vice-captain, for example, that brings with it a responsibility to be a committee member.
4. What do captains have to do? This is a legitimate question which a person newly appointed ought to know the answer to before agreeing to take office. As a captain (with the support of your vice-captain) you need to do the following:
5. It’s a two man job. It involves organisation and thinking ahead but these qualities can reduce the time involved substantially. So can a good vice-captain.
6. Oh! by the way, I forgot: the captain gets to make the decisions on the field (and be criticised for them); that’s the good part.
7. This year 53 individuals played 3 or more games and therefore paid or will in due course pay a subscription which is more than double the number it was a few years ago. But the pavilion is an expensive facility to run. Players are needed and games are needed for players to pay match fees for. No match fees, no income, outgoings exceed incomings and bankruptcy follows.
8. This year I am proposing 5 rule changes:
R A Humphreys
28th October 2002
RULES OF FAILAND & PORTBURY CRICKET CLUB (Founded 1894)
1. The Club shall be called the FAILAND & PORTBURY CRICKET CLUB, the colours shall be maroon, green and white and the emblem shall be a PEACOCK. The Club motto shall be VIS PAVONIS.
2. The Management Committee shall consist of the Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, First XI Captain, Second XI Captain, Third XI Captain, Chairman of the Selection Sub-Committee, Ground Officer and two other members elected at AGM (henceforth to be termed the Officers of the Club) to result in a Committee of not more than nine and not less than six).
(a) The government of the Club shall be entrusted without reservation or limitation to the Management Committee.
(b) The Management Committee shall have full power to inflict penalties such as suspension or expulsion from the Club and the period of suspension shall be at the absolute discretion of the Committee whose decision shall be final provided that the member(s) concerned have been notified in writing of the complaint and possible circumstances and that he (they) will be invited to attend the meeting to consider the complaint, in order to listen and question evidence, call evidence and address the Committee on all points raised.
3. (a) The Full Committee shall consist of the Management Committee, the Sunday XI Captain, the Vice-Captains of the First, Second and Third XIs, the Chairman of the Social Committee, the Bar Officer, the Fixture Secretary, the Youth Organiser and two others. It will be responsible for the normal day to day running of the Club. There should be a quorum of not less than 75% at any Full Committee meeting.
(b) The Full Committee will be empowered to co-opt members to the Social Sub-Committee, Bar Sub-Committee or other such sub-committees at its discretion.
4. The selection sub-committee shall consist of the four captains and two other senior playing members to be elected by the playing membership at the AGM. One of these 6 shall be elected by the members of the Club at AGM as the Chairman of this sub-committee. In the event of a Captain being unavailable, he shall without fail arrange for the Vice-Captain or if unavailable a senior playing member of the XI concerned to attend in his stead. It shall be the job of all the members of the Selection Sub-Committee to attend selection meetings and to participate in the selection of each team. Whilst having regard to whether or not a player’s subscription has been paid and to the observance by a player of rule 21, the Selection Sub-Committee shall select the League First XI on merit but shall select all other teams so as to ensure the regular participation of all playing members and prospective new members.
5. Annual subscriptions for members and their families and match fees will be determined at the AGM prior to each season.
6. Subscriptions shall be paid by 1st June after which date teams will be selected only from paid up members and this rule shall be strictly adhered to by the selection Sub-Committee. Any non-member after that date will be allowed 3 games after which a subscription shall be paid.
7. Members shall during practice and in matches, be under the control of a Captain and/or Vice-Captain. No practice shall be allowed on the cricket square except under the personal supervision of one or more Captains and/or Vice-Captains.
8. Every candidate for membership must be proposed by a current member and his name submitted to the Management Committee at least three days before his election as a member. Until the candidate is elected as a member he shall not be entitled to any privileges.
9. (a) Umpires, visiting cricket teams and their officials shall automatically be given the facilities of the club for the day of their visit, and a list of their names shall be available in the Pavilion on the day of their visit.
(b) A member may introduce visitors to the privilege and use of the Club but shall be responsible for the behaviour of those visitors. The same visitor shall not be introduced more than three times in any one season without payment of a social members subscription.
10. The Management Committee shall have the power to decide all disputes not provided for in these rules, a copy of which shall be furnished to each member.
11. The permitted hours for the sale of excisable liquors shall be on Monday-Friday 7.00pm until 11.00pm. Saturdays 1.30pm until 2.30pm and 6.00pm until 11.00pm. Sundays 1.30pm until 2.30pm and 7.00pm until 10.30pm. Persons under the age of 18 years shall not be supplied with intoxicating liquor.
12. Membership of the Club shall not be refused on the grounds of religion, politics, gender or race and shall be open to all interested in the game of cricket.
13. The Management Committee shall have power at any time, and from time to time, to fill not more than two casual vacancies in any one year among the officers and members of the Full Committee. A member of the Committee so appointed shall hold office only until the next following AGM but shall then be eligible for re-election.
14. No person shall at any time be entitled to receive, at the expense of the Club, any commission, percentage or similar payment on or with reference to purchases of intoxicating liquor by the Club. Nor shall any person directly or indirectly derive any pecuniary benefit from the supply of intoxicating liquor by or on behalf of the Club to members or guests, apart from any benefit accruing to the Club as a whole, and apart, also from any benefit which a person derives indirectly by reason of the supply giving rise to or contributing to a general gain from the carrying on of the Club.
15. No money or property of the Club nor any gain arising from the carrying on of the Club shall be applied otherwise than for the benefit of the Club as a whole or for some charitable or benevolent purpose.
16. An AGM shall be held in the month of October or November (see rule 18) for the election or re-election of positions indicated below whose term of office shall end immediately following publication and acceptance of accounts at the following AGM. Fifteen months shall not elapse without a General Meeting. At the AGM the following business shall be conducted:
(a) The presentation and passing of the accounts for the previous financial year ended on 30th September prior to the meeting, which accounts shall first have been audited by the Club's auditors.
(b) (i) Election of Chairman.
(ii) Election of Captains and Vice-Captains - to be elected by playing members only.
(iii) Election of Management Committee.
(iv) Election of remaining members of Management and Full Committee.
(v) Election of other positions e.g. Fixture Secretary, Kit officer etc.
(vi) Election of two auditors.
The procedure for the above elections will be that each nomination will require a proposer and seconder and that election shall be carried by a majority vote.
(c) The voting of Player of the Year award - this award only being voted for by playing members of the Club.
(d) The voting for Clubman of the Year award - all playing members and members of full Management Committee vote for this award.
(e) Such other business as shall have been communicated to the Secretary and included in the notice of the meeting sent by him (her) to the members.
17. An Extraordinary General Meeting may be convened at any time and shall be convened within 21 days on the requisition of one-fifth of the membership of the club for the time being or 30 members whichever is the less. Such requisition must state the purpose for which such meeting is required. Such meeting may be summoned by the Full Committee or Management Committee on giving reasonable notice.
18. The Secretary shall at least 14 days prior to any AGM send to each member at his address as recorded in the Club's books a notice of the meeting, stating the time and the place where it will be held and the business to be conducted.
19. The business at a General Meeting shall be limited to that provided by these rules and those further matters set out in the notice convening the meeting. The quorum at any General Meeting shall be 10.
20. Any playing member or Vice-President is:
(a) entitled to attend but not participate in a business meeting of the Full Committee;
(b) has the right of access to the agenda of the Management and Full Committee meetings via the Club Secretary.
21. As members of a "family" club in which both ladies and children participate actively, and as members of a cricket club with a very long tradition it is expected that behaviour off the field shall be courteous, supportive and moderate, and that behaviour and turn out on the field shall be:
(a) subject to the Captain's leadership;
(b) in the best interests of cricket as a sporting game.
22. Players are expected to attend afternoon matches at least 30 minutes prior to start of play.
As amended by resolution of the members at the Annual General Meeting on 28th October 2002
