Far From The MCC

~ Est. in 1998 ~

 

“2007 AGM”

 

 

Saturday 17th November 2007

Result:  Drunk and bloated

Venue:  The Six Bells (Kiddlington)

7.00pm+

 

 

 

The Six Bells pub in Kiddlington provided the setting for the 2007 Mad AGM. Not the pub itself, but a disjointed pool room out the back where the regulars wouldn’t have to put up with the usual yelps of excitement and howls of derision that would usually grace the event. What tipped the scales in the pub’s favour was a free curry thrown into the deal as part of a welcoming from the pub’s owners – a precursor to maybe using the pub as new home – and the fact it resided not far from Kiddlington CC, the forerunner for next year’s cricketing fare following the rejection of Pembroke College for the use of their sports ground.

 

 

Not even P’s cheese eating antics could keep the old man awake.

 

The AGM was well attended, and a whole bunch of laughs and piss-takes were had as the crowd regaled stories of the season past; and by the end of the evening the majority of the participants were pissed and arguing over the clutch of taxis that had been ordered in advance of exiting the pub. T. Smith and Czech import P. Benisek would later walk 6 miles home rather than line the pockets of some fare-dodging b*stard of a cab driver….

 

With a reasonably healthy head count in the Mad ranks these days, we career towards 2008 and what promises to be another successful season. And if it isn’t, we can all blame Spam and Twinkle for making an arse of it. And, of course M. Reeves, who was shoehorned into the skipper’s role for the aforementioned absence of Ian and Steve in May.

 

 

‘Umpire Bucknor’

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minutes of the 2007 AGM

 

 

1

 

Present:

 

Matt Bullock (Chairman)                                       

Ian Howarth (Captain)                                                                  

Jake Hotson (Fines Chairman)

Nick Hebbes (Tour Organiser, Social Secretary)                                               

James Hoskins (Decadilly Organiser, minutes)                                                  

Antony Mann (Fixtures Secretary)                                  

Martin Westmoreland (Treasurer)                                   

 

Steve Parkinson

Adrian Small

Mike Reeves

Thornton Smith

Petr Benisek

Adie Fisher

Richard Hadfield (Apologies for attending)

Geoff Carter

 

Apologies for Absence:

 

Mike Clarke (Spain)

Steve Dobner (Dad)

David Shorten (Writing a match report)

John Harris (Dad)

Gary Littlechild (Getting married)

Dan Edwards (Crippling lergy and Daddyism)

Tony Mander

Andrew Darley (Some piss-poor excuse)

Andrew Morley

 

 

2

 

Chairman’s Report:

 

The Chairman began by thanking the Committee for all their efforts over the year, and also commiserations to all regarding the poor weather that plagued half of the season. Thanks to Ian for trying to ensure everyone got a game of cricket during that appalling period (selection was incredibly difficult). The FFTMCC will no longer be invited to play at Pembroke College Sports Ground this coming year, with the bursar so far still refusing to give any comment (despite nudgings from a local news rag). Thanks to A. Mann for doing much of the groundwork as far as relocating the Mad to the grounds of Kiddlington CC next term; and also thanks to J. Hoskins for his excellent organisational efforts regarding the fun tour in Eastbourne.

 

 

3

 

Treasurer’s Report:

 

 

“So I’ve blown all our money on a new pram. Funny, eh?”

 

The Treasurer reported that the club were in a healthy financial state, but stated that sponsorship would be a welcome boost to club funds in light of the team leaving The Magdalen pub this year.

 

Martin also queried what insurance was needed (if any) at Kidlington. Are we already covered?

 

*  -  Ant to find out about the above.

 

 

 

4

 

Ethos:

 

After last year’s discussion regarding the Ethos of the team, it was declared to have been a successful 2007 season with this in mind.

 

As a reminder: the Ethos roughly outlines how we will endeavour to play the game of cricket over the course of the season to keep a decent balance between competitiveness and friendliness. We aim to maintain the social aspect of the game and to give everyone a game where possible. On the pitch this means we may opt for a closer game against (weaker) opposition rather than hammering them into the ground (by altering team selection accordingly). In essence we shall “make the game a Sunday game”. Team members are encouraged to support the Captain and Committee in this ethos.

 

 

 

5

 

Committee Member Elections:

 

The following committee positions were as always up for re-election. The following results ensued:

 

  • Chairman – Matt wishes to continue as Chairman, no contenders.

 

  • Fixtures Secretary – Ant wishes to continue as Fixtures Secretary, no contenders.

 

  • Treasurer – Martin wishes to continue as Treasurer, no contenders. Vote is cast, unanimous.

 

  • Captain – Ian wishes to continue as Captain (after hinting this will be his last). S. Parkinson and T. Smith opposed, but a show of hands decided the northern twat get one more term in office.

 

  • Vice Captain – Steve Dobner will continue as Vice Captain. It was also declared (by the Captain) that the team would probably need a “back-up” Vice Captain in May due to both Ian (honeymoon) and Steve (baby) being absent.

 

  • Vice Vice Captain (or Reserve Vice Captain) - Mike Reeves is handed the job after beating T. Smith in a vote.

 

  • Tour Organiser  –  Nick Hebbes agrees on taking the poisoned chalice after J. Hoskins steps down, unanimous.

 

  • Decadilly Organiser – James Hoskins is elected to organise the Mad’s 10 year celebratory day, unanimous.

 

  • Fines Chairman – Jake wishes to continue as Fines Chairman, unopposed.

 

  • Social Secretary – Nick Hebbes wishes to continue in the role after a successful carrying of the baton last season (after QC left), unanimous.

 

 

 

6

 

Membership Rates:

 

 

“£25!? To get a duck and have your bike fuckin’ nicked? No chance.”

 

Membership rates agreed to be upped to £25 (to offset potential lack of sponsorship) and Match Fees to remain at £5 per game (or at least £100 per game if you break a club bat – mentioning no names….)

 

 

 

6

 

Fixtures:

 

Fixtures are already well underway and almost finalised (thanks to Ant). It was decided to offer a few weaker teams only 1 game this coming season (because we’re now of such an arrogant standing on the cricketing front). Any ideas for vacant weekends on the fixture calendar to inform Ant.

 

 

7

 

Ground:

 

Ground – Kiddlington CC shall provide the ground for the FFTMCC this coming season. Pembroke College rebuked the Mad’s tenure on their fields, and so prompted the change of venue. It is worth noting that there is no bike theft at Kidlington CC, nor is there a demanding railway bridge to treverse with heavy kit-bags (even if you don’t use the f#cking kit). KCC also sports a decent score box, a large car park, a brand new pavilion with a balcony, a bar, and tables long enough to seat ALL players from BOTH sides whilst they consume their teas.

 

Home Pub – this is currently up in the air, although the AGM was held at the Six Bells in Kiddlington with a view to the premise maybe becoming a permanent fixture. Sadly we had to leave Ben and The Magdalen after 2 good years due to the club’s relocation.

 

 

 

8

 

Equipment and Sundries:

 

 

The only balls Jake ever catches are invisible ones.

 

  • Equipment and sundries – nothing much to report here other than the Mad may take an order for new shirts and hats.

 

*  -   Martin to send an email gathering shirts and Baseball hat orders.

 

 

 

9

 

Tour:

 

The tour will be over the weekend of 16th August. Nick Hebbes has taken on the role of organising it, so if it’s shit, or doesn’t come off, we ALL know who to blame. Gower (South Wales) has been muted as a possibility.

 

 

 

10

 

Decadilly Celebration / Club History:

 

It is the 10th year of the FFTMCC’s existence, and as such the club are hoping to host a special day of celebration on the 9th of August (a Saturday) against a few of their favoured rivals (the OU Offices for one). J. Hoskins has decided to take on the unenvious job of sorting this, and so any help or ideas should be conducted through him.

 

The FFTMCC are also hoping to publish a book of the Club’s history (hopefully to coincide with the Decadilly event). Content will be varied and even interesting in parts. M. Bullock and A. Mann have been tasked with this (however, if the club’s present history report and Sidley tour report are anything to go by, we could be waiting until our 20th year celebrations to read anything….) 

 

*  -  Ant and Matt to liaise and come up with something beautiful to behold.

 

 

 

11

 

Awards:

 

 

A huge cheque is always given to the biggest twat on the team.

 

The following awards were voted for and the winners announced:

 

  • Player Of The Season  –  Ian Howarth

 

  • Most Improved Player  –  Mike Reeves

 

  • Effort  –  Adie Small

 

  • Champagne Moment  –  Matt Bullock (amazing slip-catch at Worthing CCC)

 

  • Stan’s Fantasy Cricket  –  Mike Reeves

 

 

 

12

 

Any Other Business:

 

  • Smaller joking awards were handed out to Petr Benisek (number of miles travelled to games), Geoff Carter (highest number of ducks for the season), Mike Reeves (hogging the game – Milton CC), Adie Small (largest buffet selection), some condoms for the new dads in the team, and finally a cheese platter for Steven Parkinson as a leaving present (moved from Cholsey to Nottingham).

 

  • A small monetary award was presented to the winner of Jake’s e-mail competition (nearest guess as to how many e-mails Jake had received from Spam during a certain period of time). I think Geoff won this, and if he didn’t someone else did.

 

  • Please can we (again) try and move the start times of the games forward.

 

*  -  Captain and Fixtures secretary to do their best to try and get an earlier start to games next year.

 

  • Note was made for everyone to take responsibilities after the game more seriously. Particularly when it comes to the club kit-bags, and clearing up of kit and ground after the game.

 

  • Possibility was mentioned of storing the kit bag at Jake’s place now that he lives very close to the ground.

 

  • Match Reports – request from Ian for all players to send in photos for inclusion into match reports and web content.

 

 

 

 

*

 

POTS:  I. Howarth for scoring all the Mad’s runs

Champagne Moment:  M. Bullock’s stunning slip-catch whilst pissed on tour

Best Effort:  A. Small for his undying enthusiasm

Most Improved Player:  M. Reeves (because he got a bat)

 

 

 

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