Cirencester Cricket Club > News > September 2002 > AGM 2002 minutes

AGM 2002 minutes [Sunday 22 September 2002]

Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held at the Clubhouse on Monday the 16th September 2002.

The Chairman opened the Meeting at 7.40pm.

Members present:- P Carter, T Telling, R Tugwell, D Jeffcott, G Cooper, B Hudson, S Rowe, D Hudson M Clayton, A Lobo, A Reynolds, J Putney R Graham, M Solway, N Solway, D Durston S Harris, A Barnes, I Sheikh, C Sheikh, N Price.

1. Apologies - A Cooper, T Cambray, B Woodcock, J Turner, Di McQueen

2. Minutes of the previous 2001 A.G.M. - The Secretary read the Minutes to the Meeting - they were signed by the Chairman as a true record of the Meeting.

3. Matters arising - None.

4. Rule additions/amendments

Rule 6 - Management (b)
Add - Junior Committee (Max 5 )
Amend - Committee Members (Min 5) was (Max 5)
Delete - Vice-Captains

The Secretary advised the Meeting that there was a need to totally revise the Club Rules to suit the needs of the Club as it is now. This will be done during the winter months and members will be informed and asked for their approval. Meanwhile the above additions/amendments were accepted by the Meeting to enable the re-structuring of the Committee.

5. Chairman's Report - The 2002 season was the tale of two clubs. The senior side lost vital players before the start of the league campaign, and with an overseas player who was willing but not of the same standard as previous ones. the club has fallen from the edge of the Premier League And County Cup finalists to relegation to the 2nd division of the County League in 4 seasons. It is far more difficult to rise up the league structure than it is to fall down it, and although we have attracted a number of new players this season, plans are a foot to offer coaching to our existing players over the course of the winter to maximise their contribution next season as we need them to reverse the downward trend.

Not all was doom and gloom in the seniors as the 3rd XI finished higher in their league since the formation of the CDCA 3rd division, whilst the Colts who play in the CDCA evening league finished bottom and the club made an early exit in the CDCA KO cup.

I said this was a tale of two clubs and with close to 90 juniors signed on as junior members this year, the club enjoyed its most successful season. 5 juniors went forward to county junior selection, the most successful year ever. Both James Shackleton and Alex Gotley made their respective county squads. The under 11's finished joint top of the CDCA league and considering it was coaches' policy to use as many members as possible this was a very creditable performance. The under 13's won the CDCA league, finished runners up in the county cup, and lost in a close game in the Poulton sixes. The under 14's finished joint top in the CDCA league as did the under 16s. In the county cup the under 16's lost to Cheltenham in the second round. We have had between 45 and 60 juniors attending sunday morning coaching throughout the season.

We as in past seasons held two summer coaching sessions. We are ever hopeful that Kingshill School will eventually obtain indoor nets in order that we can continue coaching throughout the winter. Running 4 junior teams did put pressure on my administrative time, and I would like to thank the parents of the under 11's, who were most affected by this, for their support and forbearance in delivering the juniors to away games and staying with them to umpire and score. I would like to thank Steve Harris for his help with the under 16's. I would also like to thank the parents of the other age groups for their support and helping with transport.

None of the junior teams played enough games of cricket and for next season the CDCA has agreed to join the Stroud league to give the older age groups more cricket. Stroud have agreed to regionalise the teams to reduce travelling. We have also agreed to arrange some 40 over games with a number of clubs who are in a similar position to ourselves with older boys dropping out of their respective leagues.

Thanks- I would like to thank Andy Lobo and Tom Smith who both gave up a considerable number of Sunday mornings to help with junior coaching, also all the other younger club members and the dads without whose help Sunday mornings would not be the success they are.

Thanks to the captains and all the players as availability was excellent throughout the season and to Tim Cambray for keeping our averages up to date, to Dan Robbins for his help and support on the wicket, to the committee for all the work they carried out in the season.

Special mention to Trevor telling for producing the minutes and keeping us informed through the season.

Big vote of thanks to Brian Hudson and Carole for all their tireless help in the pavilion and for Brian's excellent work as treasurer together with the effort he put into starting the process of driving the club forward.

6. Club Captains Report - The 2002 season started back in September last year with work to the ground and pitches. In February our first committee meeting of the year kicked off a whole range of initiatives to enhance the club, its finances and player development. The committee knew that it had a difficult task ahead both on and off the field but approached the challenge with plenty of enthusiasm. Many hours were invested, as they had been in the subsequent season, in smartening up the building and the ground so that the club would meet and exceed the league facilities criteria. This was achieved and reports received from visiting clubs on the ground and facilities were consistently good. Also over the winter the club was plagued by joy-riders and vandals. New locks were fitted to the local police specification and these proved an effective deterrent. Measures were also introduced to control vehicle access to the ground. Southern Electric kindly donated former electricity poles to assist us and the ground is now permanently roped off. Additional measures for this year are under review with the tennis club and the Estate.

Fund raising and grant application initiatives were taken forward positively by Brian Hudson, who successfully found funding support for a new portable net facility at the ground and match balls for the league season. Richard Graham has also very kindly reframed and improved many of the photographs in the clubhouse. Brian is also continuing negotiations over and we have funding for a FLICX pitch surface to enable the practice net to be taken off the square. A small amount of money was also raised from the sale of a new club cap made available to senior and junior club members.

Net practice was started early in the year at Fairford and Rendcomb College and was generally well attended by the younger members of the club, with a disappointing attendance from senior members. The support and attendance from the younger members of the club was greatly appreciated and there have been encouraging signs of improvement in many of those players during the season.

On the field the season started with a number of friendly matches, all of which could be played this year, as the weather was kind. These were enjoyable games against some strong opposition and we performed pretty well. The league for the first eleven started against Fairford at home amidst plenty of controversy over umpiring decisions and from then on in the season luck continually did not seem to go our way. Despite what overall was a disappointing season in terms of results with only three wins and a season that ended in relegation to Division 2. The gap was very narrow between us and those clubs halfway up the table. Our two very good performances against the eventual league winners Woodmancote clearly demonstrated what a fine line there is between winning and losing.

Two lessons learnt from observation that should direct our training and preparation, if we are to be league winners next year, are first the importance of high quality catching and fielding, second the need for all batsmen to hit the ball along the ground. Better quality in these two areas would I am sure have given us the victories we needed.

I must also say that the first eleven has gained a good player in Andy Walker who joined us this year and I feel a mention should also go to our over fifty players who demonstrated that they still have a lot of quality left in them yet (Their averages clearly demonstrate this).

2nd XI Report - The league season started brightly with 2 wins but sadly only 2 more followed and the team will be relegated again. The team consisted of two senior players and the rest were mainly U25. Whereas this gave an advantage in the field it was short on batting experience and unable to bowl teams out. If we improve the batting and bowling next season there is no reason why we should not move up the leagues again. There is a need for an attitude change throughout the team. Team members need to support each other on the field - there is a need to support fellow players and there is a need for forthright opinions but not on the field during the match. There are too many inane comments during the game. Positive support of team mates is to be the order next season and negative comments are to be forgotten. This in turn will generate team spirit that the team perceives to be there but is not real.

A number of the younger players have enjoyed successful days with bat and ball but no one has shown the consistency required to win enough matches and challenge for promotion. Plans are being made to improve the current crop of players with the aim to improve the team strength and hopefully lift the team back up the pyramid league structure. The club is fortunate in that it does have a number of younger members to be able to do this with and we look forward to a more successful 2003 season.

3rd XI Report - It has been a remarkable season for the 3rd XI from many points of view. In previous seasons, it has been uncommon to score batting points. In fact the 3rds only scored 5 batting points all last season and 4 of those came from one game. This season, the 3rds have scored less than 100 on 2 occasions only and accumulated almost as many batting points as bowling points. As the scores below show, we have scored 4 twice and 5 on memorable days against Malmesbury and Cricklade. Even in defeat, the side has responded positively and made sure we have gone away from lost games with several batting and bowling points. That the 3rds have scored 150 or above on several occasions, including 189 against Avening & Cherington, the remarkable 192 against Poulton, the excellent 238 against Malmesbury and the absolutely staggering 291 against Cricklade, shows how much the batting of the side has grown in confidence. Several sides have been bowled out and no side lost less than 3 wickets. Given the young age of the bowling attack, it shows what potential these players have.

Results - This season, we have achieved 5 wins, three more than last year and the most wins for many years. However, the number of games where we could have won has increased markedly. The rain beat us against Poulton, Avening and Cherington just scraped in, South Cerney were only just a nose in front etc. The important point here is that we are able to compete whereas before we felt a bit like canon fodder. We even pushed the journeyman side of Crudwell a lot closer than they were expecting. Only 1 game was a hammering and that was down to one person having one of those games (anyone scoring 166 and taking 4 for 26 is doing OK). Whilst we were well beaten in at least 5 games, we were not hammered, simply outclassed. There were three sides in the league this year who at full strength would have pushed our 1st XI, namely NATS, South Hill and Crudwell, especially the last two teams. It is very noticeable that the sides we play are mostly men with a few juniors. We are still mostly juniors with a few men (or so it is rumoured). The third division consists of 12 sides. Three are very good and will always contest the top spots. Just below them are other sides, Avening and Cherington, South Cerney, Tetbury and Minety and these are now within our sites. Before we would expect to lose to them. Now there is a real contest. We go out expecting to beat Malmesbury, Poulton, Cricklade and Rodmarton.

Progress of young players - It has been delightful to watch Rich Hudson, Simon Rowe, Carl McQueen, Craig Hitchens, Trevor Hillier, James Shackleton, Mat Carter, Alex Harris and Robin Newbegin take such strides forward this year. All have starred in their own way be it super shots (Robin's, Matt's and Rich's against Poulton and Mat's against Cricklade), well constructed innings (Simon's several good starts at No. 1 including his maiden 50 against Cricklade, Alex's 44 at South Cerney and Rich's 71 against Malmesbury), 5 wickets or more in an innings (Carl v Avening and Cherington, Craig against Cricklade) or super fielding (Rich Hudson has taken some wonderful catches). Alex Harris has performed consistently well behind the stumps all season. Such is the progress of these players that they are beginning to compete for places in the 2nd XI. Several will have their roles in the club looked at with a view to promotion.

Resurgence of older players. - The old players have had quite a season. One look at the averages will tell you how many runs they have scored. It would have been great to see Steve Harris score his maiden 50 for the club but that will have to come later. He opened the batting all season and just got better and better. I was always pleased to have Steve Newbegin in the side. He was always positive and I valued his 'on-field' comments. He was a stalwart No 9 scoring with some wonderful shots. David Shackleton made quite an impact and whilst Christian Clogger may not be an old player, his 91 against Avening and Cherington and 58 against Cricklade made winning the games possible. John Putney's amazing 67 against Cricklade was a revelation. My own contribution with the bat (4 fifties including my maiden one for the club and over 350 runs) has surprised as well as delighted me.

Attitudes within the side - It is the positiveness of the players and the way the team works as a unit that has been the key to its success. We play as a team and work together as a team. The result of this can been seen in the results and the achievements of the players this season. 8 players achieved their top score for the club. 3 players achieved their maiden 50s. 2 players got 5 wickets or over for the first time. 1 player took his first hat-trick and the number of jugs bought by team members is more than the other two sides put together! What has really helped us this season is the stable nature of the side. Simon, the Steves, Rich, Carl, Craig, Alex, Mat and I have been available for most games so it has been easy for Tom Putney, Chris Clogger and others who played the odd game to come into the side and feel at home. Nor should the contribution of Brian Woodcock be underestimated. His leadership and captaincy in the early games, especially away against Cricklade, were crucial factors. The stable nature of the side has meant we have got to know each other well and has made us more consistent too.

What will aid progress of the side - As the players grow in confidence, so the need to focus their energies and efforts becomes paramount. Batting needs concentration and application. It requires technique. Without these, long stints at the crease with the attendant satisfaction of having made a large score, will not happen. Bowlers need to work on their line and length. What has really impressed me this season is the way the bowlers have kept on trying to get wickets. Irrespective of the number of extras conceded (actually indicative of the effort being put in), they have thought about their game, wondered how to bowl the next ball and given their spells everything (spot the Harry Potter reference!).

Impact on the club - The club relies on its youngsters. This club, thanks largely to the efforts of Phil Carter, has lots of youngsters. A large number of teams have said, can we have some of yours please (the youngsters that is) we do not have enough. 3 years ago the club hit the bottom and there were many times when Phil and another adult took 9 kids to be hammered "at Kington". Now the 3rds are reviving and as the successes of this side move on to the 2nds, others will take their place, hopefully building the club up to higher and higher levels.

Final comments of 1st XI Captain

As we move now into the preparation for next season those things that I feel put us in a strong position include:

(i) Young players who have enthusiasm and who this season have greatly improved.

(ii) A club and ground that can be improved still further but is in a better state than previous years.

(iii) A stronger financial position and better systems for financial control. (iv) A greater spectrum of people of different ages and experience who want to be actively involved in the club.

(v) A core group of experienced/-seasoned players who can share their experience with the developing youngsters.

(vi) A development programme for transforming the club and ground through a lottery grant application, into a facility for the local community and other sports for the long term.

(vii) Attempts are being made to involve a high level coach in player development and continue play through the winter with indoor cricket league involvement. Finally, whilst I am standing down from being first team captain next year due to a heavy load of family and work commitments. I am not walking away, quite the opposite, in so many ways we are better set than we have been for many years and I am committed as a player and committee member, as I hope many others are, to make Cirencester Cricket Club the best.

7. Treasurer's Report - The Treasurer produced a provisional balance sheet as at 6th September 2002 showing a balance to carry forward of £5,800. This total will be reduced by approx £3,325 (estimated liabilities) to give an estimated "real" total of £2,475 to carry forward. The Treasurer will produce a final balance sheet for the next Committee Meeting.

Income

Bar Account Sales £2,662
Purchases £1,690
Gross Profit £972

Subscriptions:
Senior £1,280
Students £70
Junior £1,995
VPS £450
Social £20
Total: £3,815

Match fees:
First XI £356
Second XI £416
Third XI £322
Evening £99
Friendly £294
Total: £1,486

Other Income:
Donations £445
Grants £1,100
Ground/Clubhouse Hire £130
Cap Sales £200
Miscellaneous £1
Total: £1,876

Events:
Raffle prize/sales/donation £185
Junior Coaching £1,084
Winter Nets -£6
Total: £1,263

Total Income:£9,412

Expenditure

Ground:
Maintenance £2,886
Machinery repairs £110
Total: £2,996

Clubhouse:
Pavilion repairs £1,190
Heat and Light £133
Council Tax £367
Water -£115
Total: £1,576

Cricket Related Costs:
Seniors equipment £312
Subscriptions £249
Insurance £98
Postage/stationery £114
Fines/Misc Exp £23
Internet £39
Practice facilities £1,281
Cap Purchases £291
Total: £2,407

Events:
Raffle £99
Junior Coaching £395
Total:£494

Total Expenditure £7,472
Excess of Income over Expenditure £1,940
Balance Brought Forward £3,860
Balance Carried Forward £5,800
Represented by Cash at Bank £5,825
Cash in Hand - £25
Total: £5,800

Estimated Known Liabilities prior to next season:
Grass cutting £1,000
Utilities, Rates etc. £650
Junior Coaching (A Lobo)? £150
Presentation Evening (maximum - look to mitigate via Raffle/Bar) £350
Raffle prize £100
Malmesbury Tandoori £40
Pitch and Associated Machinery Repairs £1,000
(Overdue) Bar Licence £35

Total Estimated Known Liabilities £3,325
Available for Developments £2,475

Notes:
1. Documented creditors from 2001 of £1230.71 met in this financial year, plus a further approx £1270
2. Three outstanding subscriptions from 2001 collected (Undocumented debtors) NB 2002 debtors - trivial
3. Bar profits reduced by realistic pricing of soft drinks, some accounting "aides", some known leakage and "slow to move" stock purchased by elected Bar Secretary.
4. Still need to address issue of non-members playing significant number of matches.
5. Need a process to prioritise and agree expenditure and analyse purchases more rigorously.
6. The project to refurbish the Clubhouse and regenerate the Club via a Lottery Grant got off to an excellent start. However progress was slowed considerably by the need to act as Bar Secretary, carry out numerous tasks on the Clubhouse and Ground, find accommodation for G Singh, etc. This is very disappointing.
7. Thanks are due to captains for diligent collection of match fees - up over 350%
8. Senior subscriptions up 350%
9. Utility etc. bills moved to Direct debit to aid cash flow and reduce workload
10. Non Bar Income up by 215%, Bar takings up by 23% (Two high profile matches cancelled). Bar profits up by 26%

The Treasurer was duly thanked for all his excellent work during the past year. The Secretary thanked Dan Hudson for his excellent work building the Club Web-Site

8. Election of Officers

Patron Lord Bathurst
President Lord Apsley
V Presidents D Woodward, E Rutter, D Watson, P Arrowsmith, D Durston, A Penny, G Thompson, R Graham, D Savage, G Cooper
Chairman B Hudson
Secretary T Telling
Treasurer B Hudson (until new Treasurer appointed)
Bar Secretary Vacant
Fixture Secretary A Lobo
Director of Cricket P Carter
1st XI Captain D Jeffcott
2nd XI Captain P Carter
3rd XI Captain B Woodcock
Evening League Captain Vacant
General Committee - M Clayton, A Reynolds, M Solway, A Reynolds, T Cambray, D Robbins
Junior Committee - S Harris, J Putney, N Price

There were three nominations for Chairman (P Carter, G Cooper & B Hudson). At this point P Carter (existing Chairman) withdrew his nomination. B Hudson was duly elected Chairman.

The Secretary on behalf of the Members duly thanked the retiring Chairman (P Carter) for all his work over past numerous years. The Secretary advised the Meeting that this will be his last term of office.

9. Subscriptions & Fees 2003 - The Meeting discussed the present set-up of the Subscriptions and Fees and it was agreed that the Committee should make any necessary changes which might improve the current situation as again recorded in the Treasurer's Report (e.g. casual/less frequent players). The Senior Membership Fee to remain unchanged - £60.00 reduced to £50.00 if paid before 30th April 2003.

10. Auditors - P Carter & T Cambray were appointed to audit the accounts by the Meeting.

11. A.O.B. - The Secretary had not received any item prior to this Meeting but the Chairman welcomed any comments from the floor - items raised as follows :
(i) The need to keep improving the practice facilities for both senior and junior members (raised by R Graham)
(ii) Presentation Evening - The Chairman requested help from the members for this forthcoming event (5th October) and for all sold and unsold raffle tickets to be returned ASAP
(iii) Andy Lobo asked that members could be made aware that initial plans were being drawn up for the possible provision of wicket covers

Finally the new Chairman (B Hudson) thanked the retiring Chairman (P Carter) for the vast amount of work and effort he has given to the Club over the past years and had it not been for him, it is doubtful whether there would still be a Cirencester Cricket Club today

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.28pm