First of all a big hello to everyone ! I've been a long time reader of the forum but this is the first time I have ever got round to signing up and posting a message !
However, I've been stung in to action by curiosity.
I'm feeling as though I have read on numerous occasions over the last month or more, a number of postings where people have said they will NOT renew their Membership should we be relegated from Division 1 of the CC. I'm sure I have also read a comment that the club will be seriously hurt financially through a reduction in Membership should relegation occur.
So my question is, under a dedicated thread, how many people REALLY will DEFINITELY NOT renew their Memebership if this happens ? And if so, why ?
I will happily answer my own question - I will most certainly be renewing regardless of what happens over the next month. I love cricket, I love watching cricket and I love Yorkshire CCC, whichever Division they are playing in. The thought of not attending next year (or significantly reduced attendance - as I reckon I would have spent at least double the amount if I had paid on the gate for every day this year) because we could be playing Middlesex rather than Somerset just completely baffles me !
I have struggled with this question quite a bit this season.
My problem is not whether YCCC plays in the first or the second Division of the County Championship, though obviously I would be happier if it were the 1st Division. (You cannot actually win the CC if you play in D2).
My problem is that I feel that I am losing interest in Yorkshire County Cricket. Why?
1. No longer am I a member, but rather a share-holding subscriber.
2. I have almost no influence over YCCC policy any more.
3. Team selection this season (and last, and the one before) has been bizarre and, in some cases, grossly unjust.
4. On-field tactics have been infantile.
5. YCCC as a cricket club behaves like a rudderless ship, with the only spin that is willingly deployed coming from the mouth of our grossly over-rated Director of Cricket.
6. The ability of our Board to develop a "state-of-the-art" sporting arena is without question. Their abilty to develop a cricket team capable of performing in the CC appears to be non-existent.
7. Our Chief Executive readily admits that he knows very little about cricket, but is extremely capable as a business manager. Consequently, there is a clear need for a Board level focus on YCCC Team performance, which is capable of responding to the very real concerns of YCCC members. Neither the Director of Cricket, nor the current Captain, can be allowed to continue with their current strategies without challenge.
Finally, as a former member and current share-holder/subscriber I see no way of influencing any of the above issues. However, it is very painful to see YCCC consistently repeating the same mistakes.
Masochism, not being a personal characteristic, I have found myself questioning whether I really wanted to go and watch YCCC play, below potential, due to myopic team selection and poor tactics. It is only one step away from staying away. That, in turn, is a mere nudge from deciding not to renew one's "membership".
Well said Big Fish Like yourself I love cricket and YCCC and will certainly renew my membership.
Tony - sorry to hear that you do not feel the same, and I do share some of your frustrations. However can I recommend you take a deep breath, and think about the glass being half full rather than half empty. Whilst this season has been disappointing, watching the team I see some great talent coming through. We have a Chief Exec who may not know much about cricket, but has changed the business fortunes dramatically. Its not too long ago that we were so broke due to poor management that the future of the club was in question, let only owning the ground and building it into the 21st century. Finally whilst some of the playing decisions have seemed odd, at least we do not have Chris Adams in charge!!!! Looking at our players v Lancashire, I have to say that there are very few swaps I would make. I still believe we are not far from being a very good side - luck, confidence and some tactical awareness would make all the difference.
i agree with big fish, it makes absolutely no difference to me which division we play in. in fact the experience in the lower league may be better. a big part of my cricket is the away visits. lords the oval and other second division grounds are quite attractive. and the chance to give youngsters more opportunity is appealing.
bit tricky to be saying youre not going to renew membership when we don't know what division we will be in next year but also what membership packages will be offered at what prices.
Quite a tricky time for the Board to determine what memberships to offer.
We may have an inferior product if relegated.
We may have less actual cricket to watch with the new formats
We have an overseas player to find and fund
Our sponsorship deals may not be renewed as attractively without an Ashes Test and less 'star names' on the playing side
there is a recession on which may have less impact on pensioners but still affects disposable income.
We have a new pavilion and ground refurb to finance.
Yorkshire folk like to see value for money and think they are getting a bargain before parting with their money.
Having said that, if you don't renew and don't go and watch then what are you going to do with your spare time? Join Durham or Lancashire?
Some very well made points on most replies ,however in my opinion the biggest threats are the formats and the standard of cricket we will be playing, if the committee make you subscribe for the 20/20 rubbish whatever division we are in I will seriously consider not renewing.
This season package for membership was value for money with the extra rewards, don't think anyone can disagree with that even though the team has been rubbish on most days.
Whatever Reagan is paid he will have to more than earn it soon with some very important decisions to be made that's for sure as this is not just being discussed on here but is a very much alive topic in all the pubs /clubs etc.
I replied to this question elsewhere.
I will definitely renew next year. I'm delighted that the 40 over game has been saved and the Championship Fixtures preserved in their current format.I'd prefer to be in the First Division but also welcome the chance to visit new grounds in the Second Division - always wanted to go to Canterbury for instance.
I support YCCC regardless of who's in the team, who's the coach, and who's on the Board or in the office. I can't imagine ever NOT supporting them. That may seem to be blind unquestioning loyalty but that's just the way it is.
(I guess that's what the administrators rely upon...)
I can sympathise with Tony's sincerely held views, but my devotion is stronger than any transient disaffection. I watched cricket at Headingley with my dad and I look forward to watching cricket at Headingley with my Grandchildren.
That's just the way it is I'm afraid.
that just about sums me up as well. you cannot stop supporting a team just because a few things go wrong. it is the same with your football team and your local cricket club. it is bred in the bone. just enjoy the highs and live through the lows till the highs return again
Of course I will renew, it`s in your blood. Having been born and raised in Yorkshire why would I want to support anyone else after 63 years of lows and very few highs. Apart from that, more supporters will attend if we get relegated as we might actually win some matches occasionally, we get to visit new grounds in Division Two and its am easier environment for the younger players to develop as we could have several of those next season dependant on rumours and possible leavers. It is April last year since we last won at home, so next season we could in Division Two, see our first home win for two years.
We will be seeing 520 overs less cricket next season so hopefully, as a great gesture, the club will cut membership prices, but I am not holding my breath!!
Having been a Yorkshire CC member since before I moved to Scotland in 1965, I will always wish to support the Club through good and less good times. It is only true supporters who follow their teams when they are not doing so well - I admire the Geordies for their dedication to Newcastle United and Leeds FC fans.
That does not mean we have to accept second best (or division) without making our feelings known about the coach, selection, captain or poor performances. We have some great youngsters, but they need leadership and opportunity - it was simple crazy to leave Lyth and Rafiq out of the team against Nottinghamshire.
Moxon and McGrath have "lost the plot" and not replacing Naved either before or after he returned to Pakistan was foolish, without explanation from the Club. All is not lost this season in CC, but it requires enlightened leadership - and neither Moxon or McGrath seems capable of changing from failed team selections.
The last match of the season against Hampshire, could be a real cliff-hanger. Incidentally, why not get Michael Lumb back for next season, maybe as captain?
Agreed - its a sign of a true proper loyal fan when you see them start to moan and complain as its an indication that they actually care.
Work and family commitments limit my availability to get to matches but deep down I don't suppose it would matter who the opposition were and what division we were playing in as if I could make it to watch then I would do so.
However, it would be nice to see some changes in order to try and improve our chances of success instead of continuing with the same old approach that has not worked for the last 2 years
I love cricket, and Yorkshire cricket above all, so of course I will come back next year, irrespective of which division we play in, and no matter how badly we play. Of course I don't have much choice, being a life member - I need to get another 15 years in to make it pay.
"We will be seeing 520 overs less cricket next season so hopefully, as a great gesture, the club will cut membership prices, but I am not holding my breath!!"
No, we'll be seeing 120 overs less cricket. There'll actually be more home games next season, although obviously featuring games of a shorter length.
4 x 50 overs matches at home = 400 overs (both teams)
4 x 40 overs matches at home = 320 overs (both teams)
5 x 20 overs matches at home = 200 overs (both teams
Total = 920 overs
Next season we will play:
6 x 40 overs matches at home = 480 overs (both teams)
8 x 20 overs matches at home = 320 overs (both teams)
Total = 800 overs
Therefore we have 120 overs less to watch or 13% to be precise. If the games do not go the distance i,e, teams are bowled out in under the allocated overs then this will be reduced.
According to Cricinfo the Twenty/20 matches will be 2 groups of 9 (8 matches, playing each other once). Your maths is correct if they play each other twice, but the ECB have, I am sure, stated that the teams will play each other once only in the Twenty/20. I personally hope we do have the extra 9 matches as otherwise it is a significant reduction.
At the end of this season I will probably say I'm not going to renew ... & come the first game of 2010 will be there disturbing everyone's peace .... the problem is that for some of us YCCC is an addiction .... there's only one real cure ... & I'm not ready for that yet