Cricket Club AGM MInutes

SIDLEY CRICKET CLUB
Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on Monday November 19, 2007 at Sidley Sports & Social Club.

PRESENT: Ian Mollart (chairman), Andy Pearson (vice-chairman), Mrs Jenny Mollart (treasurer), Trevor Ramsden (fixture secretary).

Committee members: Simon Newstead, Cavan O’Connor, Jamie Ramsden, Ross Settles.

Also present: Dan Auer, Mrs Pam Bailey, Josh Bull, Peter Capon, Robin Cooper, Neil Cunningham, Miss Rachel Dangerfield, Chris Hunnisett, Kevin Kempthorne, Peter King, Alex Nicholas, Cavan O’Connor jnr, Mrs June O’Connor, Paul O’Connor, Grant Packham, Craig Ramsden, Mrs Jackie Ramsden, Steve Ramsden, Ian Reynolds, Peter Savage, Daniel Shoesmith, Roy Smith, Paul Thompson, Tyrone Wildman, Scott Woodroffe.

1 APOLOGIES
Apologies were received from Mr Roger Lee and Mr Chris Milton.

2 MINUTES OF LAST YEAR’S AGM
The minutes were proposed as a true record by Mr Cavan O’Connor and seconded by Mr Trevor Ramsden.

3 PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Mr Mick Reynolds was not present to deliver his report.

4 CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
Mr Mollart said that the 2007 season had been difficult due to a lack of players and that better availability is needed. He congratulated Mr Woodroffe on leading the first team to a sixth place finish in Division Two of the Sussex League and for not losing either fixture against neighbours Bexhill. He also thanked Mr Woodroffe for his hard work as captain and in recruiting an overseas player. Mr Capon and Mr Steve Ramsden were thanked for running the second team. Mr Cooper was thanked for taking charge of the third team which brought more colts through despite enduring a difficult campaign too. He also thanked tea ladies Mrs Bailey, Mrs O’Connor and Mrs Ramsden, scorer Mrs Mollart, and Mr Trevor Ramsden for preparing excellent wickets and his work with the colts. The club’s executive committee and bar staff were thanked for their support.

5 TREASURER’S REPORT
Copies of the balance sheet were circulated around the room.
Mr Trevor Ramsden inquired about the identity of the debtors and suggested the club writes to them requesting payment.
A bill for £1,071.92 had been received from the Sussex League which included fines for late fixture cards, the annual subscription, handbook and umpires’ fees. Mr Cooper asked how much of that figure was avoidable.
Mr King asked if the committee had any plans for raising money over the coming year. Two race nights had already been booked and Mr Mollart asked Mr King if he and Mr Hunnisett would be willing to stage any quiz nights.
Mr King expressed his disappointment at the sale of football cards raising only £28.
Mr Woodroffe asked how much sponsoring the overseas player cost in terms of runs and wickets bonuses. Mr Trevor Ramsden thanked Mr Ian Reynolds for his help with this matter.
Mr Cooper stated that there was a big difference between income and expenditure on shirts, and asked if the club is sitting on any. Mr Trevor Ramsden said shirts remain available to purchase.

6 FIXTURE SECRETARY’S REPORT
Mr Trevor Ramsden had received the provisional first and second team fixtures for the 2008 Sussex League season. The first team will begin their Division Two campaign at home to Lewes Priory on Saturday May 3.
A friendly fixture had been arranged for Saturday April 19 against East Sussex League club Blackboys.
Mr King asked if another pre-season friendly could be fixed. Mr Trevor Ramsden will endeavour to do so if that is what the players would like.
Third team fixtures are still to arrive.
Sunday fixtures are almost full, around four dates are still available.
The ground is to be used by St Luke’s CC on some Sundays when the club is playing away from home.
Cricket Week will run from Tuesday July 29-Thursday July 31 with Brighton Nomads, the Hastings & District Cricket Association and a Chairman’s XI providing the opposition.
A Sunday in August had been set aside for Neil Cunningham’s charity day in aid of Multiple Sclerosis.
The first team will be in Sussex Cup action on Sunday July 6, although the draw had yet to be made.
Colts’ Day will take place on Sunday September 7.
A Six-a-Side Day will be held on Sunday July 27.
Mr Wildman asked if the club had received any contact from the Sussex over-50s team with regard to using the ground for its matches. Mr Trevor Ramsden was told by the main club last year that this would not be possible due to a clash with Boot Sales and no further communication had taken place.
Mr Settles broached the idea of a possible tour to his former club of Ayr in Scotland and will make further inquiries after decent interest from the floor.

7 OVERSEAS PLAYER
Mr Woodroffe stated that things are at a bit of a crossroads with regard to finding an overseas player for the 2008 season. He and Mr King are trying to sort things out and circulated profiles of several players under consideration. The preference is for a batsman and the frontrunner at present is Australian Elliott Bullock, who had been recommended by former Bexhill CC captain Sam Roberts. Mr Woodroffe stressed the need for help, however, with accommodation, sponsorship and people to socialise with the player.
Mr Trevor Ramsden asked if Mr Bullock possesses any coaching qualifications.
Mr Mollart said his main concern was that the club may be leaving it too late if unsuccessful with Mr Bullock.
Mr Trevor Ramsden said the club would be foolish to turn down a player of Mr Bullock’s calibre.
Mr King stated that he needs to know what the club can offer the overseas player in terms of air fares, accommodation, work on the ground etc.
Mr Settles expressed concerns about the lack of transparency in the overseas player’s contract and requested that all details be written down.
Mr Mollart said a meeting will take place within the next week, and he will inform Mr Woodroffe and Mr King of what the club can offer a potential player.

8 GROUND MAINTENANCE
Mr Trevor Ramsden said that the winter work had been carried out by Mr Brian Fletcher and that the grass on the square had returned. Mr Fletcher will come back next month to spike it down to five or six inches for the first time in at least seven years. Mr Trevor Ramsden understands that the main club is financing the work.
Mr Trevor Ramsden is attempting to obtain four or five more wickets on the football pitch side of the ground.
Mr Woodroffe congratulated Mr Trevor Ramsden on coming third in the Sussex League’s pitch ratings for the 2007 season. Mr Ramsden thanked those who had assisted for their help.

9 COLTS
Mr Trevor Ramsden said the club plans to field teams at under-10s, under-12s and under-16s levels next season.
He thanked Mr Phil Crittenden for his work with the under-10s last season and is looking for a replacement as Mr Crittenden will switch to the under-12s in 2008.
A colts’ section manager is required as Mr Trevor Ramsden is standing down.
Mr Mollart congratulated Mr Garth Baker on taking a hat-trick in an adult Sunday friendly fixture at Chalvington last season.

10 ELECTION OF OFFICERS
President – Mr Mick Reynolds to continue. Proposer Mr King, seconder Mr O’Connor.
Chairman – Mr Mollart to continue. Proposer Mr Trevor Ramsden, seconder Mr Paul O’Connor.
Vice-chairman – Mr Pearson to continue. Proposer Mr Cavan O’Connor, seconder Mr Settles.
Secretary – Mr Milton not prepared to stand. No proposals were received. To be discussed further at the next committee meeting. Mr Woodroffe to handle first team player registrations on the Sussex League website.
Treasurer – Mrs Mollart to continue. Proposer Mr Ian Reynolds, seconder Mr Cooper.
Fixture secretary – Mr Trevor Ramsden to continue. Proposer Mr Steve Ramsden, seconder Mr Wildman.
Committee members – Mr Settles to continue: Proposer Mr Capon, seconder Mr Cooper. Mr Cavan O’Connor to continue: Proposer Mr Trevor Ramsden, seconder Mr Jamie Ramsden. Mr Jamie Ramsden to continue: Proposer Mr Cavan O’Connor, seconder Mrs June O’Connor. Mr Newstead to continue: Proposer Mr Jamie Ramsden, seconder Mr Cavan O’Connor jnr. Mr King to be added: Proposer Mr Trevor Ramsden, seconder Mr Cavan O’Connor. Mr Hunnisett to be added: Proposer Mr Jamie Ramsden, seconder Mr Savage.
Sussex League rep – Mr Milton to continue. Proposer Mr Trevor Ramsden, seconder Mr Cavan O’Connor.
First team captain – Mr Woodroffe stepped down. Mr Ian Reynolds proposed Mr Auer, Mr King seconded. Mr Hunnisett nominated Mr Ian Reynolds as vice-captain, Mr Auer seconded.
Second team captain – Mr Steve Ramsden to continue. Proposer Mr Capon, seconder Mr Cavan O’Connor. Mr Steve Ramsden proposed Mr Trevor Ramsden to be vice-captain but he declined due to commitments on the ground. Mr Mollart to ask Mr Milton if he would be willing to accept the position.
Third team captain – Mr Cooper was willing to continue and Mr Mollart accepted a proposal for him to carry out the role. A vote was held and Mr Mollart will fulfil the post. Mr Mollart thanked Mr Cooper for his efforts over the years. Mr Cavan O’Connor proposed Mr Cooper to be vice-captain, Mr Wildman seconded.
Sunday captain – Mr Trevor Ramsden to continue. Proposer Mr Wildman, seconder Mr Cavan O’Connor. Mr Trevor Ramsden said the role would continue to be rotated so that younger players gain captaincy experience.

11 ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Mr Paul O’Connor asked if fees are to remain the same and a debate was held. Mr King proposed an increase in the first and second team match fees from £7 to £10, Mr Capon seconded. Third team match fees will increase from £5 to £7, while Sunday and midweek fees will remain at £5.
Mr Steve Ramsden said he requires an umpire for the second team. To be discussed further at committee level.
Mr Jamie Ramsden said that indoor nets have been booked at Horntye Park Sports Complex in Hastings on Tuesday evenings (7-8pm) from March 18-April 15. The cost will be £3 per head and the possibility of sharing with Bexhill Athletic CC will be explored. Mr Pearson asked if the net sessions clashed with the Hastings & District Cricket Association Midweek Indoor League programme, Mr Jamie Ramsden said they did not.
Mr Woodroffe urged the committee to try to find a main sponsor. Mr Rick Bailey is to sponsor the colts’ section.
Mr Trevor Ramsden said that the club had been turned down for a £10,000 grant from the Spen Karma Trust.
Mr Jamie Ramsden asked Mr Dan Auer what he hoped to achieve following his appointment as first team captain. Mr Auer said he wants to bring young players through, attract new players to the club and at least match last season’s position.
Mr Jamie Ramsden said anybody interested in playing indoor cricket should contact himself.
Mr Trevor Ramsden asked when the club would like to start using the ground next year, Mr Mollart said the first or second week in April.
The meeting closed at 9.57pm.

Many thanks to Simon Newstead for taking the minutes.