Club Annual General Meeting, Pub On The Park, 3rd November 2007
"As You Were" for 2008
Saturday saw the club's AGM, held as traditional in the function room upstairs in our home from home, the Pub On The Park.
Captain Dave Hickey's opening address thanked everyone for attending, and moaned about the weather during season 2007. He pointed out some notable achievments of the past season, including:
John Avery's 100 on tour (the first by a Fielder on foreign soil); Paul Teasdale's club record innings of 167 not out; Jason Lord's first ever century (at the age of 53, apparently); and Graeme Rodrigo's and John Avery's 5fers.
London Fields won the North East London Cricket League this year again, and the league's prospects are looking healthier than for a long while, with a number of clubs looking to join for 2008.
Dave then thanked Tony for organising Nets, Rob for being Third Selector and Web Master (aw, shucks), Ian for his "Treasurising", RJ for doing a splendid job as Fixtures Secretary and finally Will for being his number two all season.
Chris then took the floor for the Midweek Captain's report, which ran as follows:
- A season of slightly mixed fortunes from which we emerged (slightly drenched)
with the Division 2 title.
- We completed 7 games with 4 wins, 3 defeats, plus a rained off draw and
2 wins by default, winning the title by 2 points from Vallance
- Wins were v. Central London, Old Fallopians, Vallance and Pacific (the later
2 beat us last season)
- We lost to Chats Palace (unexpectedly strong), VP Juniors and (narrowly)
to Tower Ravens
- We were knocked out of the cup in the 1st round to VP Juniors.
- It then rained/no showed for most of the season. We expect to get 2 credits
for no shows for the new season.
Individual highs:
- Tyrone Graham's amazing 5 wicket haul v Central London
- 50's for Will Isaac (v. Vallance) and Jason Lord (v. Pacific)
- Ty took 12 wickets, Jason scored around 150 runs.
- Players used: Jason, Ruby, John, Alex LeM, Taz, Chris, Ty, Robin, Steve,
Will, Teasdale, Pete M, Grant, Hickey, Jakob, RJ, Telfer, Nick
- 18 players, 8 made debuts! If we can retain a few more from last year I
think we can have a really good run.
Ian then stood up and gave the treasurer's report, but by then I needed a pint and my attention was flagging. We are solvent still, though, but could do with membership fees up front as soon as possible.
Richard then gave a Fixtures Secretary report, about which I can remember nothing - sorry Richard, but thanks for the good work during the season!
Actually, I remember now that we discussed and agreed to ask visiting teams to pay half the pitch costs up front, as new draconian/arbitrary Hackney Council policies mean that we are not refunded pitch costs of it rains (which is a ridiculous policy, in your humble author's humble opinion).
The floor was then opened up for points of discussion, and the following was decided:
Touring: We would like to return to Slovenia after this year's success, and also return to Gloucester if it ever dries out enough.
Membership/Match Fees: We will raise the membership fees to 40 pounds for waged and 15 pounds unwaged/feckless layabout students. Match fees will remain at 4 pounds /1.50 after last year's increases.
The League:We will stay in the league next year, and request a change to the bowling rules to allow 6 bowlers 6 overs each (instead of the current 7/5). This will add an extra over to the innings.
Club Logo: Rob will run a competition to see if we can come up with another logo for London Fields CC. If no better logos than the current one are received, we'll stick with the traditional current one.
First Game/Net: This will no longer be free.
Match Managers: We will keep this idea so that there is someone responsible for setting out the stumps, getting the kit from the cellar, etc., for every game. It will be extended to organising a match report for the internet, too.
Honours Board: Dave will organise an Honours Board (possibly virtual, on t'Internet) for the club to honour previous captains, centurions, 5fers, 10 Year Members, etc.
Now the bit you've all been waiting for... the election of officers for season 2008. Without further pre-amble or ado, I will now open the envelope to reveal the lucky winners:
| Club Captain | Dave Hickey |
| Vice Captain | Will Isaac |
| Third Selector | Rob Harries |
| Nets Supremo | Tony Tedore |
| Treasurer | Ian Charlton |
| Fixtures Secretary | Richard Johnson |
| Midweek Captain | Chris Skinner |
| WebMaster | Rob Harries |
| Tour Csars | Chris Skinner/Taz |
| Club Mascot | Tyrone The Needy Mouse |
Any Other Business:
Finally, we agreed:
Chris to maybe organise a fundraising event such as a Race Night to raise money for the club
Rob to organise a Golf Day, prizes to be (hopefully!) provided by Ian and Carl, who detest golf
Richard Johnson to organise a First Aid kit for the kit bag
Finally finally, we thanked Dav,
who is returning to Australia for some reason in December after many years'
solid support of the club.
Dave: "He certainly added something to the club over the years".
Matt B: "Yes. Bulk".
Thanks for being a great mate, Dav, and see you when you return to these shores.
Finally finally finally we adjourned to the pub downstairs, for the traditional afternoon session of beer and cricket-related banter, of which I have only a hazy memory (which is also traditional - two years ago I managed to buy a painting somehow on the way home...)