7th April 2006
Apologies: Ces, Pete Board, Ed Bailey, Paul Stocker, Martin Denniss, Gordon
Harcourt
2) Approval of 2005 minutes. These were not present. Everyone had a vague
recollection of reading them last year. No issues arose so we moved on.
3) Chairman's report
Phil commented on the clubs swinging fortunes. He felt that we've had some
lean years and occasionally struggled for players but we were still a strong
club and enjoyable to play for. He stated a desire to stand down as he couldn't
find the time to fulfil the Chairman's duties. Phil also offered thanks to
Stu for the poster campaign, even though it elicited no response (from new
players, not from Stu). Phil was thanked and warmly applauded for his service.
4) Secretary's / Secretaries report
Alex reported that it had been a traumatic year and made reference to injuries,
unavailability and irregular players which made the job hard but both he and
Andy G were willing to carry on. Andy G raised the question of selection policy.
Steve pointed out that that hadn't been an issue for a while. Andy G wanted
confirmation that the captain could be approached. The meeting empowered the
secretaries to approach whoever they wished. Dave recalled the policy of preference
to paid up members. Alex criticised those present for not doing enough networking
/ introducing new players. He (Alex) cited his meeting of Ed Bailey - where
Ed had been talked into playing within 10 minutes - as an example. No one
thought to ask Alex if violence or weapons had been involved. Andy G asked
whether cutting subs would attract new players or existing members to play
more regularly. Stu felt that money was not an issue as people were 'cash
rich but time poor'. There was general agreement that we needed youths. Richard
Williams arrived. He offered to take over the minutes but received a withering
look from his soon to be ex tenant.
5) The beers were got in (and out)
6) Treasurer's report
Stu led with his trump card - the £250 RBS donation - and was cheered
to the rafters. Subs were healthy. Nets still made a loss, but less of a loss.
This year we will save an extra £45 by not booking Easter Sunday (this
was deemed pointless as only Dave turned up the previous year). However, Stu
expected the cost of nets to rise again next year (by approx 10%) and he also
estimated a £250 loss on nets this year. Matt Clarke entered with his
friend, Derek. The meeting agreed that nets were a loss-leader, but how long
should we go on subsidising this? There was a debate to increase net fees
to £4. Stu countered by reminding the meeting that last seasons aim
was to be less cash-rich (cue tutting from Messrs Birchall and O'Connor).
Despite subsidising the tour and losing money on the cancelled Old Reps game
we still made a profit of £31, though this was helped by not paying
for the 2 Islington pitches. Richard suggested free nets. Steve asked what
the point was of having money in the bank. Stu noted that little had been
spent on kit and anticipated a rise in this area. Dave agreed to undertake
a kit audit and report back. Tony enquired about insurance. Loud cheers. The
clock read 9.27. Steve mentioned buying a helmet. More cheers. Stu agreed
to check the Cricket Conference literature for any insurance obligations.
Stu finished by proposing to keep things the same as last year (£15
subs, match fees £8 home, £5 Fridays / away, half-price for 2
games in a weekend, net fees £3 but free for first timers, £100
tour subsidy).
7) Captain's report
Dave echoed his comments from previous years that he felt we have a strong
fixture list and that to be competitive we needed to punch above our weight.
This didn't happen last year and moreover we frequently punched below our
weight. He put this down to the march of time which resulted in members playing
less regularly which affected continuity and team spirit as the side changed
radically from week to week. He pointed out that we used approximately 48
players last season. The area that was affected the most was fielding and
cited the Rose and Crown away game as the nadir where we gave a 2 hour 'disasterclass'.
It was the next day that Dave decided to resign as he didn't know what to
do anymore, felt he wasn't leading well and frustration was turning him into
a right mardy-arse in danger of irrevocably upsetting someone. Dave finished
by saying that the captaincy rotation had freshened things up in the short
term and that all the locum skippers had done well, but that it was not a
policy we should pursue. Steve said he had a more positive view.
Adrian commented on a dip in May after a good start. Andy G then launched
into a monologue on the difference between pre-game catching practice and
actual on-pitch events which ended with a proposal of a inter-Railway technique
match where only boundaries would count. A terrified looking Adrian said no.
The rest of the meeting felt that whilst the idea had merit in principal it
didn't seem practical. There was a long discussion regarding fielding and
team spirit and it was agreed that we weren't rubbish and that everyone needed
to stand up and be counted. Alex stole Phil's thunder by thanking Dave for
his service over the years.
8) The beers were got in
9) Fixture Secretary's report
Andy P received a ripple before he'd even said a word. He reported that all
the regulars were there plus some new ones (Cinnamon Club, Wooton, Stumps,
Aloysius) but no Bohemians. We hadn't pursued Cecil's offer of a game in Northampton.
July 2nd was still free and earmarked for the 25th anniversary bun fight.
Adrian and Andy J agreed to 'sort it'. Rumours circulated of Frank selling
up. The Wytham issue (the village hall is booked the day we are due to play
there) is unresolved at present.
Andy G asked if anyone had received 'the cactus spider e-mail'. The ensuing
bewilderment meant Andy P didn't receive the hearty adulation he so richly
deserved.
10) Election of Officers
Chairman: Stu was nominated. By everyone. Even Tony. Motion carried.
Treasurer: Ed Bailey was rumoured to have said that he would be flattered
to be asked. He was duly and swiftly elected.
Fixtures Secretary: Andy P expressed a willingness to continue. The opportunity
was taken to cheer him heartily. There was praise for Richard Williams for
'laying a model'.
Captain: Andy J was nominated. Matthew seconded the proposal. There was an
enquiry as to the nature of Dave's resignation and whether the post was actually
open (he had, it was). Dave was asked if he wanted to re-stand. Undoubtedly
fuelled by the heady cocktail of Beck's and fraternal love Dave performed
an astonishing u-turn and said yes. A discussion ensued regarding the merits
of the candidates, dual captaincy and so on. Just as it seemed a skip-idol
style vote off was looming Dave stated that whilst he was willing to stand,
if Andy J wanted to be captain he (Dave) would withdraw. Andy James duly elected.
Vice Captain: Andy P nominated Dave. Adrian seconded. Andy J nominated Steve.
Matthew seconded. A discussion ensued regarding the merits etc....before once
again Dave stood down. Thus it came to pass that the James / Parr dream team
was born to hearty cheers. Andy J made a short speech pledging to rediscover
spirits.
11) New members
The following fine upstanding people were voted into the club: Martin Pirrong,
E, J and S Reilly, Grant Steele, Raj Kapur, Nirm Kumar, Buster Stonham, Hazel
Kilduff, Ken Paddison, Dave Segul.
The club reserved the right to have forgotten if some of the above were already
members.
Alex expressed concern at Buster being 17 and was duly tasked with investigating
any relevant legislation.
12) The Tavern Question
Stu felt this wasn't a big deal. The consensus was that the Railway wasn't
a good pub and the Three Compasses was, but 'doing a deal' might prove tricky
as we didn't always come back to the pub en masse or bring opposition. We
moved on.
13) General disarray.
No one had anything to say.
14) AOB
The question of First Aid was raised. Alex and Dave stated they were qualified
First Aiders. Dave agreed to audit the First Aid kits in the boot of his car.
Andy P stated a desire for the 25th Anniversary game to be played naked. Adrian
pleaded for input. It was suggested that Gary Sycamore could run his summer
BBQ. Alex wanted a bouncy castle. Andy P noted that we didn't have a pitch
at present. He was advised to check Ally Pally. Andy P asked where it was.
Alex pointed out the window to the top of the hill. Adrian called Alex a twat.
It was agreed that further discussion of the day's events were a non-starter
until we had a pitch and an idea of numbers. We agreed to subsidise the day
with £150 of club money. Tony felt that this shouldn't just be spent
on beer. Alex wanted fireworks as they were loud and pointless. Dave opined
that under those criteria we could just give Martin £150. Andy P wanted
25th Anniversary shirts. Adrian agreed to liaise with Ces re badge template
(or Jacquard as Adrian insisted on calling it). Adrian felt there was a need
to tidy the e-mail list. Alex was appointed controller of the definitive list.
Meeting closed approx 11.30pm.
Dave Terry