MIDDLESEX MEMBERS’ WINTER FORUM – RECORDING AND ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS ANSWERED...
Middlesex members wishing to view a recording of the Members’ Winter forum, held at Lord’s on 1st February, which was also viewed live online by many members, can do so now here.
With the forum ending at 7.30pm after an hour and a half, there were a number of questions asked online, that due to time restraints, were unable to be answered on the night, so as promised, these questions are now answered below.
Where numerous questions were asked on the same topic, or on a similar thread, they have been grouped together with the answers below covering all issues raised.
In answer to questions raised relating to the Club’s intention to not secure an overseas player this year…
Alan Coleman, the Club’s Director of Cricket, confirmed that in 2024 the Club will not be looking to secure the services of an overseas player.
The Club has recruited two exceptionally talented multi-format cricketers ahead of the 2024 season, in Leus du Plooy and Henry Brookes, who will add a huge amount of quality to the playing group in both red and white-ball formats. It is felt that the quality within the existing squad, bolstered by these key additions, will be sufficient for us to mount a successful campaign in the red-ball format, with our sights set on a quick return to the top-flight of the Championship and us developing a sustainable style of play that ensures we remain there.
In respect of our white-ball performances we finished the Blast campaign well, winning three back-to-back T20 matches, including that incredible record run chase at the Oval, and can look back on several games earlier in the campaign, at least four that standout, that we should have won. Ultimately therefore, whilst our record in 2023 was disappointing, the margins of us qualifying or not, were tighter than the Group table showed. The playing group have learned a huge amount from those losses and should be better equipped in 2024 to secure victories from those positions as a result.
Furthermore, with the Vitality Blast being played concurrently with the ICC World T20 in 2024, there are a limited number of quality overseas players available, so the Club is backing the existing playing group to compete in both white-ball cricket formats.
In answer to questions raised relating to the reasons why Blast attendances have been down in recent years at Lord’s…
We continue to work very closely with the MCC, and both parties have a vested interest in seeing large crowds in attendance at the Middlesex Blast matches that Lord’s host.
Attendances at Blast matches across the country in 2023 were up on the previous year, so MCC and Middlesex are optimistic that this trend will continue at Lord’s matches this summer. The ECB’s central marketing activity supports the efforts of individual counties in promoting the competition and there is no shortage of activity from the ECB to help increase attendances across all Blast fixtures in 2024. This, combined with MCC’s and Middlesex’s own marketing activities give us confidence that crowds will increase at Lord’s in 2024.
Early signs from the ECB’s analysis of ticket sales are encouraging for 2024, with advance sales up 21% year on year when compared to the same point in 2023,
Of course, Middlesex’s on-field performances also have a significant impact, and we are confident going into this season’s Blast campaign that we have a squad that proves not only to be competitive, but one that will challenge for qualification to the knockout stages, which will of course have a positive impact on the desire of spectators wanting to come and watch us play.
In answer to questions raised relating to the ongoing dispute with the Club’s former CEO, Richard Goatley…
The Club can confirm that the dispute with our former CEO is ongoing and is in the hands of the Club’s lawyers, who continue to deal with lawyers acting on behalf of Richard Goatley.
Understandably, the specific content of ongoing negotiations between parties must remain confidential, however by way of summarising our position, the Club is keen to underline our intentions to try and resolve this dispute without resorting to lengthy and expensive legal proceedings.
The club works with a number of legal and professional advisers on this dispute and other matters, including Carter Ruck, a specialist law form that deal with defamation law. Carter Ruck are working with the Club on a minimal retainer basis, offering professional advice as and when required.
The Club stands by its previous statements that it has handled this entire process professionally and fairly, with respect for its former CEO, and has made every effort to resolve this matter without the need of formal legal proceedings.
In answer to questions raised relating to the Hundred and its impact on Middlesex Cricket and the game at large…
Whilst Richard Sykes’ presentation answered many questions around the ECB’s proposed plans for the evolution of the Hundred, the Club acknowledges the strength of feeling of many members, who raised questions and comments on this subject, and it is clear that there is concern for the future of the game caused by the introduction of the Hundred in 2021 and the impact that many feel it has had and continues to have on the game. However, the reality is the Hundred is here to stay for the foreseeable future and Middlesex Cricket needs to find ways to embrace that for the future benefit of overall cricket in our county.
The plans that ECB have outlined to county Chairs and CEO’s, much of which was detailed in Richard Sykes’ presentation, represents an exciting time for the game, which could potentially open up some very interesting financially beneficial opportunities for us as a Club.
It was also asked whether the option to completely do away with the Hundred had been explored, which, whilst this may not be to the liking of some members, is not an option that is being discussed, for all the reasons outlined in Richard Sykes’ presentation.
Finally, the last topic raised on the Hundred was whether Middlesex members would have the opportunity to vote on the ECB’s proposed changes. Richard Sykes advised that the Board would be discussing the proposals at length in the near future and whilst a members’ vote on the topic was not currently being considered, the Board would very much welcome the views of the members which will be taken into account and considered, to help shape the Club’s decision-making. How this process will work will be outlined to members in due course.
It should be noted that the above answers relate to the questions that were not directly addressed in the forum, and we would recommend that all members watch the recording of the forum, which will provide a fuller picture of all the issues discussed.
The Club’s decision to host this latest forum online as well as in person, was driven by the fact that this forum was being held out of season, and we thank all those members who attended, both in person and online. We will review the feedback received on the forum with a view to considering whether future forums should also be held online when run out of the season.
We would like to remind all members that the next members’ forum event will be the Club’s Annual General Meeting, being held in person at Lord’s on Wednesday 10th April, at 6pm in the Thomas Lord Suite at Lord’s. We look forward to seeing you there.
Should any members have any questions that they feel still remain unanswered, then we remind you that questions can be sent to the Club, at [email protected], and these will be answered directly.
