Q1. YOU RECENTLY SURPRISED US WITH THE ADDITION OF A LIVE WEBCAM - HAVE YOU GOT ANYTHING ELSE UP YOUR SLEEVE? CAN THE WEBCAM BE LEFT ON DURING MATCHES, OR DO BROADCASTING RIGHTS PRECLUDE IT?

The webcam is the first evidence of a live streaming capability we have established over the winter so you can expect quite a bit more.

We are now able to broadcast live audio or video on the website. The area where this will sit initially will be where the video adverts used to be and where the webcam currently sits on the homepage. This area of the website will be a moveable feast depending upon what's going on at the time.

Broadcasting rights prevent us showing live video of our matches; however we will leave the webcam on as it takes images every 5 minutes and although you will see the odd player you won't be able to assess what is going on.

We will be providing live website audio commentary from the pre-season tour of Abu Dhabi on the website in addition to video highlights, interviews and features as the tour progresses.

My other plans for the live audio are to have regular YCCC Radio style shows where we are able to interview players and the audience can interact by email, asking questions and making comments live. I am also planning a series of 'Question Time' style panel shows where I'm joined by other people from the Club, journalists, etc to chew the fat on cricket issues of the day - the audience will be able to interact on this too. We may also be able to cover some events live and pay a visit to some of the cricket societies for an evening. Any other suggestions appreciated.

The only plans for the video aspect at the moment are live press conferences which could be broadcast live on the YCCC site.

You can also expect more from WRTV this year. All of the live elements can be recorded for later playback on WRTV and we are looking at whether downloadable podcasts are possible. One of the ways WRF readers can help me is on the scheduling of any live ventures we do - when is the best time to broadcast to maximize the audience?


Q2. DAVE CALLAGHAN'S BBC RADIO COMMENTARY WAS A GREAT ADDITION IN 2008 - WILL THAT BE CONTINUING THIS SEASON?

Yes, in fact BBC Radio, in Dave Callaghan, will be providing ball-by-ball commentary on every single competitive UK match next season - FPT, Pro40, T20 and LVCC, which is brilliant news. The Club had great feedback last year on Cally's work and he should be applauded for his enthusiasm and effort. Make sure you listen, support and contribute with your emails in 2009 - he does a great job.

The Club is looking at the possibility of selling earpiece radios for use at Headingley Carnegie and Scarborough so spectators can listen to the BBC commentary when at games - all commentary will be online, but the radios would allow supporters at the home venues to pick Cally up (which is no mean feat).


Q3. WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE CLUBS YCM MAGAZINE?

We have had tremendous feedback on the YCM, but it will be reduced in frequency from 6 times a year to 4 as the postage costs were getting out of hand, particularly as membership continues to rise - remember we send them free to all YCCC members. However, from 2009 there will be a sister version online and freely available, featuring video and audio and with more interactivity - we will be giving members the chance to opt out of a hard copy in 2009 to save on trees and costs, but the magazine will continue for those that want it.

I'll take this chance to plug something else too - avid readers of the website will notice that we have just launched a YCCC auction site which will be stocked with a wide variety of items. If you buy from the Club at least you know the items are genuine.


Q4. WITH REGARDS TO THE BUILDING WORK, WHEN IS IT SCHEDULED TO COMMENCE? WHAT IS THE ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE?

The turf will be down soon and the outfield ready for the new season. The Wintershed and TV areas at the north of the ground have been demolished and the site cleared and the building works will commence shortly. The work will continue throughout 2009 and the new Pavilion will be ready ahead of the 2010 season.


Q5. IS THE BUILDING WORK GOING TO CARRY ON DURING HOME MATCHES THIS SEASON; AND IF SO, WILL IT IMPACT ON SPECTATOR ENJOYMENT?

The work will continue during games, but the building site will be screened off and the work will not affect play. A number of grounds have done this over the last few years - and although there may be a bit of inconvenience to members and supporters at times this project is all about the long-term benefit it brings to Yorkshire cricket. Everyone will still be able to watch and enjoy the cricket and support YCCC so I don't foresee too many issues.


Q6. WHAT IMPACT, IF ANY, DO YOU EXPECT THE RECESSION TO HAVE ON YORKSHIRE'S OPERATIONS GOING FORWARD?

This is not really my area, but I think the Club is built on a sound financial footing and will cope. It isn't a wonderful time to attract advertising in the YCM etc, but you cope with what you've got. It is important for us to make the most of this summer's Ashes Test and the ODI and important the team does well on the pitch too - our jobs are always easier when the team is winning!


Q7. HOW ARE MEMBERSHIP NUMBERS SO FAR IN 2009, COMPARED TO THE SAME TIME LAST YEAR? WHAT ARE YOUR PROJECTIONS FOR 2009?

It is difficult to make predictions on membership as many people leave it until very close to the start of the season to renew, or join. The priority windows we gave to people to buy Ashes tickets attracted a lot of new members to the Club in October and November so the membership levels are expected to be extremely healthy in 2009. A key job for the Club will be to retain as many of those new members as possible in 2010. We also need to maintain the level of interest in cricket that the Ashes Tests will undoubtedly bring, translating the renewed interest in international cricket to the county game.


Q8. WHAT HAVE BEEN THE BEST AND WORST MOMENTS OF YOUR JOB SO FAR?

The worst moment was turning up at Chester-le-Street for last season's Twenty20 Quarter-Final expecting to do a bit of commentary with Dave Callaghan only to find that there was no game and the press were incessantly calling my mobile phone. I knew the game was not going to be played a little while before they did so I had some time to prepare, but even so it wasn't the evening I had anticipated. I remember standing alongside Darren Gough and Martyn Moxon on the balcony and turning around to see I was live on Sky which was quite surreal. The fortnight that followed was more than a little hectic.

There isn't a best moment - it's all good. Even the Chester-le-Street experience was good in a weird way.


Q9. WITHOUT YOUR "YCCC HAT" ON, HOW WOULD YOU ASSESS THE CLUB'S TEAM PERFORMANCE PROSPECTS FOR THE UPCOMING SEASON? (ONE DAY/CC, ETC.)

I really believe that this could be a terrific season. I've drafted a season's preview in the YCM that comes out in April and in that I've said that the team is definitely improving, but in turn that brings increased expectation - a successful 2009 therefore involves a trophy of some kind. There are reasons for my optimism. I cannot see the opening pair in 4-day cricket having such a bad run in 2009, the youngsters are now at the stage where they are banging on the door with both hands and that competition for places is healthy and I think the players know their roles in the squad more. I think Anthony McGrath will be a good captain and I just feel we are on the right track at last. We'll miss Goughy's bowling in the one-day game, but in 4-day cricket his replacement should take more wickets when Goughy struggled at times. I think we will finish in the top 3 in the LVCC, Finals Day in the T20, semi-final of the FPT and top half of the Pro40 - I'd take that now, but hope I'm proved pessimistic!


Q10. CAN YOU GIVE US A BRIEF UPDATE ON THE NEWEST ADDITION TO YOUR FAMILY? DOES HE SLEEP WITH A CRICKET BAT, ETC?)

Young Samuel is doing great thanks - he's not held a bat yet but I don't think I'll be able to resist much longer. There's a miniature bat for signing on my desk now and that looks just his size. I've decided initially not to force cricket too much as I may bore him senseless - my wife has long since stopped listening.

If anyone has any ideas or suggestions feel free to contact me on jbuttler@yorkshireccc.com.

All the best and enjoy the 2009 season

James

Thanks James - lots of questions answered in one go to kiil speculation and endless days debating on WRF.

Now I am really looking forward to the new season. Some great changes are planned. Good on James and the club.

Can I please ask James for more details of the building works & how it will affect seating at county games. I'm one of those who sits behind the bowler's arm in the stand below thenow demolished Winter Shed. Will this area be 'roped off' or will it just be that the area behind the stand is 'out of bounds'?

When they rebuilt the Western area it caused some problems as it meant two groups of people who like to sit behind the bowler's arm were forced to sit in one area. The North East stand has become popular & there will be congestion if we have to move across to that area.

btw The Football Stand isn't an option ... if I wanted to sit in a fridge I'd move up to Chester Le Street !!

A new HTML editor (which we've now scrapped) lead to several typos showing up in Mr. Buttler's piece. Hopefully, we've corrected all or most of them. They certainly weren't in the original.

And thanks to James for taking the time to do this Q&A. 2009 promises to be an exciting season for the club and its legion of devoted fans.

Mr. Buttler certainly fulfills the "communications" part of his job description with gusto. What with Stewart Regan being a regular poster, I can't think of when we ever had a more communicative, transparent administration. As a 20-year Yorkshire supporter, this is a very refreshing turn of events.

PS This year my youngest son is taking out his first YCCC membership

Well the season can't be far away now. Thanks for bringing us right up-to-date. Love the webcam.

Great news, especially the increased radio coverage and the webcam. A very informative interview.

However, I would be surprised if memberships don't fall during this serious recessionary period. The unemployed or downsized don't generally buy season memberships or pay exorbitant Test match ticket prices (especially with England crashing and burning in the West Indies.)

All in all though, I'm looking forward to the 2009, even though the club has not moved to strengthen the side. I think our ever positive PR man is a wee bit overly optimistic, but I hope Yorkshire wins something.

Some really interesting initiatives here - particularly the expanded radio coverage and the webcam. Its exciting to be a Yorkshire cricket fan again.

Its great to see that for once most of the changes coming our way are positive. If you think back even to last season with the Rana affair, etc., too often "changes" in a Yorkshire context were a reaction to screw ups and assorted misdemeanors.

All of the clubs new initiatives will benefit Yorkshire supporters and help to make our Yorkshire cricket experiences more fulfilling. Following the team n 2009 from my catbird seat in Cyprus is going to be much more interesting and immediate.