Nottinghamshire Members Forum I 2025

 

As I recall the meeting:

A well attended meeting in the Hadlee Hall, where the nets had be retracted and seats positioned.

From the onset it was clear that the "top table" had prepared, had a plan and would not deviate from their plan. (Mick Newell didn't have any speaking part).

Chair Hunt explained that they request that cricket questions were asked before anything else, to allow PM to get back to the dressing room ...

The first question from the floor requested a fitness report on our absent fast bowlers.

PM: Dillon is hoped to be returning in the next match. Conor McKerr isn't far off either and Olly Stone is projected to be back before the time frame predicted in the press.

A comment rather than question was made about the pitches this season.

PM: All counties have had ideal grass growing conditions. At Trent Bridge we have seen pitches with a lot of bounce and carry on days 1 and then a gradual flattening out over the following days. Today's pitch had even more bounce and carry than had been anticipated and at four down at lunch, we had lost one or two more wickets than we would have hoped for.

Against instructions from her Chair DP asked a non-cricket question about the progress or preceived lack of progress on the pavilion project.

AH: Work is on track, on schedule, on target.

At 13.12 PM left the meeting.

A question about the H*ndred discussions with investors was asked.

LP: Discussions should be concluded by the end of the month. There's been no hold-ups, and these things just take longer than the initial time that was alotted for completion.

The schedule and how it needs improving was raised.

Several members pushed for a committment to oppose any reduction in the County Championship, but each time we were told that this is not how these discussions are done.

AH: LP has more experience than anyone else on schedule discussions.

LP: Members have to understand that the schedule is a complex matter and only those that comprehend those complexities should be allowed an opinion. We have 18 x 2 professional teams now to schedule but only the same 18 grounds, men's and women's internationals / Tests etc etc

LP/AH There will be a series of members' meetings/focus groups at a variety of times: match days, evenings, non-match days - large meetings/ small groups with the hope to inform members about the complexities of the schedule, ascertain the members preferences for formats etc. The General Committee will then decide what the club wants from discussions with the ECB and it's partners.

Tim Murray (a confident speaker) from the floor pointed out that much like with The H*ndred the ECB have form for just pushing any agenda through regardless of the members' wishes/feelings.

Nods from the "top table", applause from the members.

A gentleman at the front, who had waited patiently, armed with a letter/statement on a piece of paper, set off on a tirade about rulings on transexual women playing cricket. The gentleman had obviously been in correspondence with LP on the matter, held strong opinions but went on too long, became too political and managed to lose any valid point he may have had amid all the accusations and finger pointing he performed.

LP: shot him down with some inclusive spiel, which was fair enough.

Lots of members had gone by this point.

A questions was asked about streaming of the Metro Bank Cup, which this year will not be covered by BBC commentary / radio.

MT: Informed all that the club will be sourcing some commentators in the very near future - so watch out Mr Bracegirdle.

I'm fairly certain that I've missed some topics or interpreted questions/answers differently to how others might recall - please add to this record in the comments - Dave

08/05

Hi Folks,

 

We have our first members’ forum tomorrow at lunch. It’s encouraging that the Chair has said he will be available all afternoon for members questions etc. I can’t be at TB unfortunately, however, here are some points that might be relevant for you:

 

1. From the Yorkshire members forum on Saturday: Gavin Hamilton said Yorkshire, Lancashire, Notts, Warwickshire and Surrey opposed any cut in CC games. He said other counties supported it. The 6 6 6 format was discussed along with many ideas in the meeting with Durham & Lancs. He was reminded that a motion was passed in 2022 that Yorkshire had to oppose any reduction by members. He also said he didn't expect any change for next year. – Worth bringing up at our forum, I think.
2. Thanks to those who filled in this survey (https://x.com/CCMembersGroup/status/1917591899092967598) There’s still time to do it if you haven’t already and NOTTS are in the lead in responses so far! Team top of the league, members top of our league -well done people.
3. A strapline from the Central Co-op which is an organisation similar to NCCC in its structure “As a co-operative, we're Member-owned and Member-led and have democracy at our core. To help us understand what we're doing well and what we could do even better, we run an annual Member engagement survey.” An idea for NCCC?
4. Here’s one more item from the Sussex site that might be useful as a question at the forum on why Notts don’t try a 9:30 start to allow more time for a structured element: “Sussex Cricket can confirm the next Members Forum will take place on Friday 9th May at 2025 at 930am in The Long Room. Members will have the chance to hear from Pete Fitzboydon, Jon Filby and Paul Farbrace prior to the start of the County Championship match against Worcestershire. Complimentary tea and coffee will be available.

 

Best wishes,

 

Nick Evans

24 Enfield St

Beeston

Nottingham

NG9 1DN

 

05/05

So what question would you ask the "top table"? Bearing in mind, the forum is perhaps heading for a celebration of we're top of the league love-in unless some news breaks to shift focus in the next day or two.

02/05

Dr Nick got a reply and...  

DOMESTIC STRUCTURE

Nick

Thank you for your email of yesterdays date.

Clearly the domestic schedule will be important to members and I look forward to discussing it further on May 9^th.

You will, as ever, be free to ask questions on any subject at the event, and I have ensured I am available for the remainder of the afternoon (until school pick-up) in case members want to discuss further in a less formal setting.

I look forward to seeing you then, if not before.

Cheers

Andy

It might be an idea if the only question asked was if the Chair and CEO will give their assurances to members that they will not vote in favour of any reduction of the County Championship and to use their Nottinghamshire vote(s) according to the wishes of the Nottinghamshire members.

Ask it as many times as it takes until they give an answer and then take the "event" from there.

Note from the Apostrophe Police:the apostrophe abuse (one count of gross neglect) by Mr Hunt has noted.

01/05

Dr Nick has written to our Chair, in the hope that he will in discusions with his peers, County CEOs and with the ECB, commit to represent the views of us members...

Note: we did have that assurance from the previous (elected) Chair.

Dear Andy,

 

Whilst we are aware that the options for the ECB’s schedule review are not yet finalised, we the 300+ members of the Nottinghamshire Branch of the County Cricket Matters Group, request that you commit Nottinghamshire to not voting for any proposal that results in a reduction in the number of County Championship matches played during the season. We hope that you will be able to give us a positive answer at the Members’ forum on May 9^th.

 

Best wishes,

 

Nick Evans (on behalf of Notts CCMG)        

If you feel that YOUR VIEWS haven't been heard, a small step towards being heard might be in doing the survey below.

30/04

Just a reminder of some of the issues as seen by the CCMG Have you done this survey?

Members' Forum 9th May Hadlee Hall (Radcliffe Road Stand 2nd floor) at lunch

Day 1 of the Championship game against Hampshire.

Your panel will be:

The unelected Chair, Andy Hunt

The soon to be out going CEO, Lisa Pursehouse

The DoC and part of the Trent Bridge furniture since time immemorial, Mick Newell

The Head Coach and let the results speak for themselves, Peter Moores

Timed just about right for those facing the members, announced when we were top of the table, going to be held when they can say we're top of table or reflect-on or giving excuses why we were top of the table but we're just this game away from being back on the top...

Themes will be topical with plenty of other topics to deflect from the important stuff like the plotted erosion of the County Championship by the ECB and the PCA.

Is the soul of Notts CCC safe now external partners have bought into the CEO's side project, Trent Rockets and who is forming the relationship with these new partners?

With partners to contend with, will a different kind of CEO be needed to be recruited for the immediate future? How are the General Committee going about sourcing candidates?

The other topics burning with some members:

The clubhouse

The "tunnel of love" and the progress of the pavilion project

The planned amenities in the completed pavilion

When can we get back into the pavilion?

The players' and officials' new temporary accommodations

The potential Test Match clash with a football match across the road, later in the month.

Why are Notts prices for County Championship day tickets so out of sync with other counties' prices?

The Blaze

The dire need for a second ground with Lady Bay not fit for purpose with the demands of the 21st century

Will the club survey the membership with a view to using that knowledge learnt, to be able to express a representative view of what Notts CCC wants the future of cricket to look like in discusions with other counties and the ECB?

What other cricket should be played during The H*ndred if:

ODIs are to continue, which leaves England inadequately skilled and prepared, new players having only played List A cricket during Augusts and the Test players not playing any List A outside of Internationals, where performances, skills and results are spirralling downwards.

or if,

ODIs are no longer to exist, then what is the point of any List A competition at all?