Forum Innit (Or Two)

Beefy excels himself with this report on the happenings at the Middlesex CCC forum. Not sure whether his camera is working quite right on this occasion, but the accuracy and precision of his reporting has to be read to be believed. And he doesn't grumble about the heat and the sore bottom. That's because Beefy is truly MTWD.

 
On stage are Shaggy,Gus,I.Lovett and Vinny Coddrington.

I.L firstly gets the microphone lead caught up, sounds very unclear.

I.L gets started after the Mic problem by stating its not been a good season and to be honest hasn't enjoyed it at all.Kimmy mutters under her breath that she has enjoyed herself.

[18:28, Barmy Kev is pilloried for arriving late.  One side of the audience chanting “who are yer?” while the other side were chanting “yer late, yer late, for a very important date” - ed].

Bit more waffle (and it was) by IL and the first question is asked by Peter Moore to IL,who says he fully disagrees with IL’s contentment with a 30% turnout in the elections, and mentions why 70% of membership hasn't bothered to vote.  He puts another comment of ' the loony left ' expected a few new faces,and are we avoiding failure by bringing the old guard back in. Reply being it was left to the members to choose and that's how the vote came in.

Q- How have we came to the position of batsmen selling their wicket cheaply? Subject of Hoggard mentioned at the same time.

AF replies about batting: agrees the batting has been poor and the age of players not helping, the top 6 all under 25.He is hoping to bring in a high profile batting coach soon, but no names mentioned as he is working on the subject at the moment.

AF also mentions about Hoggard, saying he has spoken to him and is meeting up with him soon, maybe this Friday.  But stressed its only a meeting.

SU on batting, saying its so frustrating with disappointing dismissals and there are no excuses.

During the early questions there is low chat about the unhappiness with committee results.

Q-There is no stability in the side, with captains and coaches using revolving door to often.

IL replies: as we know the captain has been re appointed and Richard Scott re appointed as coach.AF mentions he had been trying to help during the season, but has had far too much to do.

Q from Fingers- first apologises for not being the usual last question asker, but also had a meal in the pavilion to attend.  But he states his wish that the ' new ' committee to move around the ground at both home and away matches to mingle with supporters of both sides, this comment was followed by a lot of applause and agreement with this (about time it is done, my own thoughts, stop hiding away, the fans don't bite!)

Q- this asked to a bit of laughter around the room, Why was Ben Scott dropped? (i muttered to Kimmy, we all know why, stupid question).  AF -  his poor batting has let him down.

Q-From Janet,she asked about Tom Smith and has he actually signed?

AF replies,he has signed a 3 year contract today, had a call from his agent to confirm this.

AF also mentions a top order batsmen, and 2 bowlers being spoken to, and are looking good to sign, he did say after chat going round one of the out grounds this season might of stopped a player joining, he, and rest of the club are not mentioning any names until the deal(s) go through.

VC mentions the fixtures for 2010,saying there will be 6,maybe 7 county games at Lords,5 Twenty/20 games, and 3 out of the 6 40 over games as well at Lords.  He mentioned that during the world 20/20 tournament this year, we were the only club to lose money over this.  A figure in region of £175,000-£200,000 was mentioned, he did state that asking ECB  to help with this was given a big no.

Q – Official website is going from bad to worse, actually said its worse than that.

VC said the website is going to, or will be updated in the near future, also said the full election results Will be posted on website within 24 hours, i have looked and the full result is there, i did get most of them down, but that at least saves me from putting them down here!

[It’s gone 8.00 p.m. by now and several people are seen leaving at this juncture, at least one of whom a former regular at MTWD.  One might have assumed that people were concerned about transport home etc., but at least one of those early leavers was spotted at the post forum party tucking in heartily - a wise move, one might surmise - ed.]

Hands are popping up to ask a question, Barmy Kev is desperate to ask his, but gets ignored, or is missed  [darned cheek him even trying to ask a question, given that he arrived so late if you ask me – ed].  Then, finally he gets his chance.

Q- He asks how or why were potential victories being made into losses, and asks also about the potential future captain.

SU firstly thanks Kev for all the support that has been given this season from everyone,and the players really appreciate this.He also said that positive cricket is being tried to be played,and next season that won’t change, but hopefully the result of things will change, and as for the captaincy, AF comments by saying Morgs was highlighted as maybe captain material but also now England material.

Q- How are the young players getting on?

AF replies they are doing well!  But did mention few of them, London is a stodgy player a good fielder with just one problem - needs to smarten himself up - to laughter.  Robson is a typical old fashioned player, who is quiet and efficient, also a historian on cricket, knows the sport inside out.  Simpson has got huge potential and is being worked on. Then Kimmy nearly collapsed in her seat..................it was revealed that Glamorgan had stated their interest in Berg, and had spoken to him.  Thankfully he signed a 2 year contract with us, and Kimmy starts to feel a lot better.

SU said that other counties are envious of the clubs youth set up,and we are using the younger players.  Said the season finish was not good enough but he is very confident the club will be going places.

OK, if i didn't get all the questions/Replies down i apologise!