Seaham Harbour CC

[Johnap]

I was cricket chairman at my club for a lot of years. We built it up to be a good level of playing without fancy tracksuits and I didn't have meetings. I talked to the 1st team skipper after the match and that was it. I shielded him from the rest of the committee who thought because they sold raffle tickets that they had a say on the cricket - no. During the winter we would meet players who we wanted - did not get them all but a few. We talked about the overseas and what we wanted and he found them.

 

[SAFC2403]

Although I disagree with a lot of what you have said about the fall of the senior league ( most has been stated so not going over it again ) I do agree some of the titles given regarding directors of this and that is quite laughable

So you wont be wanting the “director of refreshments” pinny we’ve got you for this year then?

 

[The Voice Of Reason]

So you wont be wanting the “director of refreshments” pinny we’ve got you for this year then?

Director of fixtures and teas would look good on my tracksuit...

@peterleeyacker

Know you are having fun but be careful

 

[Marcosplace]

Yet at the same time the senior league were snobbery as well which is what I crtitcise the premier league for

I remember attending several cup matches between a senior league side and

coast league sides and supporters of the senior league team saying to the other team you only a coast league team in a belittling way, at that time Ryhope and Hetton Lyons had good sides too, easily as good as the likes of North Durham,Wearmouth, Seaham Harbour etc.

Yet when the likes of Ryhope tried to get into the senior league they were always blocked, so in one hand were criticised for only been a coast league but on another were blocked from progressing.

The bottom line is any team in any sport should be able to progress and the senior league blocked that!!




Cricket was better them days and agree with you they were definitely more of a community spirit with cricket players loyal to their local club but that was not exclusive to the senior league.




The current system doesn't work well imo, as it is totally set up to support the county without a second thought for local cricket clubs who have some have ran for over 100 years.

You could and should have had a promotion and relegation system that allowed rightly teams like Hetton Lyons to progress without having a top league dictating to other clubs what they must do and must have just to enter their league!

Like you said who gives a monkey if facilities are average as long as you have a good game of cricket, therefore why is they a number of criteria to enter the premier league,



Problem is some clubs are struggling soo badly to turn teams out and meet the required standard never mind improve them, that criteria like must have a Sunday third team is outdated, soo maybe it's time for the ECB the premier league or whoever to show some common sense and flexibility to relax some of the criteria?

I played in a quite a few victories in cup games against senior league clubs and NYSD clubs at Murton. Little difference at times.

 

[Voice of fair play]

I played in a quite a few victories in cup games against senior league clubs and NYSD clubs at Murton. Little difference at times.

Yeah they were some very good coast league teams about at the time

 

[mackemmover94]

This whole 'was the league better in the past or now' argument is about as dull and repetitive as the imaginary county boundary lines debate.

The league was good in the past and had some unbelievable test players come over as international scheduling was very different. The league is still very good now and highlighted that the NEPL is probably one of the most recognised premier leagues across the country when it comes to the national comps - will be a lot of people looking to see what round CLS play SN should they both get through. Always a well supported fixture from people around the area as well so the game hasn't lost touch with the community etc - people want to see the best club cricket still and the north east can definitely still offer that.

 

[The Voice Of Reason]

Dull to you or not it's what this forum is about

Opinions and debate

 

[Greavsie]

This whole 'was the league better in the past or now' argument is about as dull and repetitive as the imaginary county boundary lines debate.

The league was good in the past and had some unbelievable test players come over as international scheduling was very different. The league is still very good now and highlighted that the NEPL is probably one of the most recognised premier leagues across the country when it comes to the national comps - will be a lot of people looking to see what round CLS play SN should they both get through. Always a well supported fixture from people around the area as well so the game hasn't lost touch with the community etc - people want to see the best club cricket still and the north east can definitely still offer that.

The county boundaries....that’s my favourite topic on here bar none. Simple nothing dull about it based on how irate one or two get.

That and playing games at South North

 

[Ageing trundler]

I too like a county boundaries discussion, perhaps unhealthily so.

 

[brandon]

This whole 'was the league better in the past or now' argument is about as dull and repetitive as the imaginary county boundary lines debate.

The league was good in the past and had some unbelievable test players come over as international scheduling was very different. The league is still very good now and highlighted that the NEPL is probably one of the most recognised premier leagues across the country when it comes to the national comps - will be a lot of people looking to see what round CLS play SN should they both get through. Always a well supported fixture from people around the area as well so the game hasn't lost touch with the community etc - people want to see the best club cricket still and the north east can definitely still offer that.

Great post, the fact of the matter is - club cricket, just like local football, is nowhere near as popular as it was. That is a fact of modern life. It has fuckall to do with the rise of the NEPL or the demise of the Senior League - as much as wicketkeeper wants to tell us it is.

I've read some great books about League cricket, I've also read some great books about non league football - the two go very much hand in hand now, just as they always did. Both in terms of professionalism and in audience.

There are many reasons for a lack of interest in terms of playing and watching but it's not the fault of Durham CCC or the NEPL.

I know your bias and bitterness stops you from seeing the bigger picture @wicketkeeper, but the current cricket structure in County Durham (and the North East) is far far better now than it was in the 80's and before. Just look at the number of lads who've gained England caps since Durham became a first class county and the number who did before.

 

[SAFC2403]

Director of fixtures and teas would look good on my tracksuit...

@peterleeyacker

Know you are having fun but be careful

Have i missed a deleted post there? What did i miss??

 

[wicketkeeper]

Great post, the fact of the matter is - club cricket, just like local football, is nowhere near as popular as it was. That is a fact of modern life. It has fuckall to do with the rise of the NEPL or the demise of the Senior League - as much as wicketkeeper wants to tell us it is.

I've read some great books about League cricket, I've also read some great books about non league football - the two go very much hand in hand now, just as they always did. Both in terms of professionalism and in audience.

There are many reasons for a lack of interest in terms of playing and watching but it's not the fault of Durham CCC or the NEPL.

I know your bias and bitterness stops you from seeing the bigger picture @wicketkeeper, but the current cricket structure in County Durham (and the North East) is far far better now than it was in the 80's and before. Just look at the number of lads who've gained England caps since Durham became a first class county and the number who did before.

You make my point you and others who support your view judge the success of local cricket on how many players go on to play for England. My whole point is that the club system has been changed to suit the county and the ECB not to the benefit of the clubs themselves.
We may have more England players from this region but in the same period interest in club cricket has declined markedly. I suggest you compare attendances in the 1980s to now.

 

[Voice of fair play]

Great post, the fact of the matter is - club cricket, just like local football, is nowhere near as popular as it was. That is a fact of modern life. It has fuckall to do with the rise of the NEPL or the demise of the Senior League - as much as wicketkeeper wants to tell us it is.

I've read some great books about League cricket, I've also read some great books about non league football - the two go very much hand in hand now, just as they always did. Both in terms of professionalism and in audience.

There are many reasons for a lack of interest in terms of playing and watching but it's not the fault of Durham CCC or the NEPL.

I know your bias and bitterness stops you from seeing the bigger picture @wicketkeeper, but the current cricket structure in County Durham (and the North East) is far far better now than it was in the 80's and before. Just look at the number of lads who've gained England caps since Durham became a first class county and the number who did before.

I agree with some of them comments especially the bit about the demise of cricket was always going to happen,due other interests etc etc.

This is why imo more fiexability needs to be shown by the cricket leagues to allow clubs to flourish in these difficult times not putting barriers in their way.

 

[brandon]

You make my point you and others who support your view judge the success of local cricket on how many players go on to play for England. My whole point is that the club system has been changed to suit the county and the ECB not to the benefit of the clubs themselves.
We may have more England players from this region but in the same period interest in club cricket has declined markedly.

Your point, verily, is that things were much better in the good old days of the snobbery of the Senior League.

Times change mate, either move with them, or continue to be bitter, makes no odds to me. However, the majority of people will view a club/local system as a breeding ground for county/country - so it is a much better system now than in the 90's and before that. Disagree? You're in the minority.

I agree with some of them comments especially the bit about the demise of cricket was always going to happen,due other interests etc etc.

This is why imo more fiexability needs to be shown by the cricket leagues to allow clubs to flourish in these difficult times not putting barriers in their way.

It's relative though Voice, I don't agree with all of the barriers - such as having to have a Sunday 3rd team and an electronic scoreboard - but the majority of the 'barriers' are very valuable.

Far too many clubs put player budgets ahead of ground/facilities. I played at a few grounds which were, quite frankly, dangerous. Other places where you had to take your own food in order to get properly fed. For me, clubs should be made to get their house in order off the field before spending thousands on playing talent.

It's got to be attractive to juniors too remember. Some clubs I can think of didn't even bother with junior sides.

You've got to sacrifice some things for the bigger picture IMO.

 

[The Voice Of Reason]

Have i missed a deleted post there? What did i miss??

Lad posted a sentence he has had a warning previously for

It was in jest didn’t want him to get into bother so deleated it

 

[Voice of fair play]

Your point, verily, is that things were much better in the good old days of the snobbery of the Senior League.

Times change mate, either move with them, or continue to be bitter, makes no odds to me. However, the majority of people will view a club/local system as a breeding ground for county/country - so it is a much better system now than in the 90's and before that. Disagree? You're in the minority.



It's relative though Voice, I don't agree with all of the barriers - such as having to have a Sunday 3rd team and an electronic scoreboard - but the majority of the 'barriers' are very valuable.

Far too many clubs put player budgets ahead of ground/facilities. I played at a few grounds which were, quite frankly, dangerous. Other places where you had to take your own food in order to get properly fed. For me, clubs should be made to get their house in order off the field before spending thousands on playing talent.

It's got to be attractive to juniors too remember. Some clubs I can think of didn't even bother with junior sides.

You've got to sacrifice some things for the bigger picture IMO.

Them are very valid points especially the bit about spending all your budget on players and letting your club go to the dogs,don’t think anybody would want or agree with that.

However I honestly don’t think criteria and barriers are put in place so that clubs outside the premier league have a proper infrastructure.

I think it’s purely a eliest and snobbery thing,you must have this and that to enter our precious league when all they are is a local cricket league and that is typified by the 3rd team and electronic scoreboard crap.

You have a league delegation visiting clubs to inspect facilities, I find that laughable I really do.

 

[brandon]

Them are very valid points especially the bit about spending all your budget on players and letting your club go to the dogs,don’t think anybody would want or agree with that.

However I honestly don’t think criteria and barriers are put in place so that clubs outside the premier league have a proper infrastructure.

I think it’s purely a eliest and snobbery thing,you must have this and that to enter our precious league when all they are is a local cricket league and that is typified by the 3rd team and electronic scoreboard crap.

You have a league delegation visiting clubs to inspect facilities, I find that laughable I really do.

Depends what you want though. It's the Premier League, it's home to the best sides in the region, so if you want to compete with the elite - there has to be the kind of checks and balances you're talking about.

I reiterate, I don't agree with all the criteria, but most of the rules and regulations are about making clubs ambitious both on and off the field.

Again, it's designed to be the best standard of cricket in the region outside of the First Class game - so the professionalism makes sense. As someone else noted, it perhaps should be classed as semi-pro and I can completely recognise that thinking because the similarities with the football pyramid are very evident.

If you want to compete with the best, then to be honest, most of the criteria will be met naturally IMO. If not, there's the DCL - which at the top end is still a very good standard of cricket.

 

[wicketkeeper]

Your point, verily, is that things were much better in the good old days of the snobbery of the Senior League.

Times change mate, either move with them, or continue to be bitter, makes no odds to me. However, the majority of people will view a club/local system as a breeding ground for county/country - so it is a much better system now than in the 90's and before that. Disagree? You're in the minority.



It's relative though Voice, I don't agree with all of the barriers - such as having to have a Sunday 3rd team and an electronic scoreboard - but the majority of the 'barriers' are very valuable.

Far too many clubs put player budgets ahead of ground/facilities. I played at a few grounds which were, quite frankly, dangerous. Other places where you had to take your own food in order to get properly fed. For me, clubs should be made to get their house in order off the field before spending thousands on playing talent.

It's got to be attractive to juniors too remember. Some clubs I can think of didn't even bother with junior sides.

You've got to sacrifice some things for the bigger picture IMO.

If you had bothered to talk to the men who prepare the wickets, chase up teams, and make the teas you would know that they do it because they loved
their clubs and they don't give a tinkers cuss whether some kid from another club made the county side. It is these people who were the life blood of clubs who are in decline. You say I am in the minority - the attendances and clubs folding suggests the contrary.

 

[Voice of fair play]

Depends what you want though. It's the Premier League, it's home to the best sides in the region, so if you want to compete with the elite - there has to be the kind of checks and balances you're talking about.

I reiterate, I don't agree with all the criteria, but most of the rules and regulations are about making clubs ambitious both on and off the field.

Again, it's designed to be the best standard of cricket in the region outside of the First Class game - so the professionalism makes sense. As someone else noted, it perhaps should be classed as semi-pro and I can completely recognise that thinking because the similarities with the football pyramid are very evident.

If you want to compete with the best, then to be honest, most of the criteria will be met naturally IMO. If not, there's the DCL - which at the top end is still a very good standard of cricket.

The point been for me is that it should not be semi pro because local cricket clubs can not afford it to be that way.

Where they supposed to get the money from it’s not like people are going to cricket clubs and putting money behind the bar like they did in the past.

What has happened is that a handful of clubs in the north east are of a very good standard and the rest are not.

So is the standard of north east club cricket good overall,I would say no!!

Trying to make it semi pro when some clubs are struggling to even turn teams out just makes it a closed shop for the top few teams and does not improve the quality overall.

Professionalism does not make sense when you don’t have the players or the money to make it that way!

 

[wicketkeeper]

The point been for me is that it should not be semi pro because local cricket clubs can not afford it to be that way.

Where they supposed to get the money from it’s not like people are going to cricket clubs and putting money behind the bar like they did in the past.

What has happened is that a handful of clubs in the north east are of a very good standard and the rest are not.

So is the standard of north east club cricket good overall,I would say no!!

Trying to make it semi pro when some clubs are struggling to even turn teams out just makes it a closed shop for the top few teams and does not improve the quality overall.

Professionalism does not make sense when you don’t have the players or the money to make it that way!

Spot on and this is also the reason why many local football clubs have folded or are struggling.