Far From The MCC

~ Est. in 1998 ~

 

“2008 AGM”

 

 

Saturday 29th November 2008

Result:  Drunk and bloated

Venue:  Royal Oak (Oxford)

7.30pm+

 

 

 

The Royal Oak pub on Woodstock Road in Oxford provided the setting for the 2008 Far From The MCC AGM. With the team looking for a new home after deciding to up stumps from Stratford Brake in Kidlington, a venue closer to the centre of Oxford was deemed appropriate, and the Royal Oak ticked nearly all the boxes; good beer, a friendly landlady, a convivial atmosphere, and a lack of skinheads to kick your front teeth out.

 

 

Stevie P’s bowling average had the AGM in hysterics. 

 

The AGM was very well attended, especially after people realised it started before midnight; and with nearly every position within the club up for grabs due to multiple resignations and people buggering off abroad, it made things much more interesting than previous years.

 

Herewith the notes from the meeting below (the ones I managed to scribble down whilst juggling the responsibilities of getting pissed and speaking out of turn)….

 

 

‘Spam’

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minutes of the 2008 AGM

 

 

1

Present:

 

Matt Bullock (Chairman)                                       

Ian Howarth (Captain, minutes)                                                              

Jake Hotson (Fines Chairman)

Nick Hebbes (Tour Organiser, Social Secretary)                                               

James Hoskins (Decadilly Organiser)                                                      

Antony Mann (Fixtures Secretary)                                  

Martin Westmoreland (Treasurer)                                   

 

Geoff Carter

Andrew Darley

Steve Dobner

Dan Edwards

Ian Leggate

Ben Mander

Tony Mander

Mike Reeves

Dave Shorten

Thornton Smith

 

Apologies for Absence:

 

Steve Parkinson  (Being a dad instead of hanging out with mates on the piss)

Adie Fisher  (Bar duties / double booked etc)

John Harris  (Stag do)

Andrew Morley  (Family commitments)

Adrian Small  (Resigned)

Mike Clarke  (Carlisle / Spain / China / who gives a toss)

Richard Hadfield  (Under police arrest)

 

 

 

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 once again plagued the season. Thanks to James for organising the Royal Oak as a venue for the AGM – with a view to it being the home of the team next year. Thanks to Ian for skippering during a difficult season, and also for keeping the website up to shape. Big thanks to Nick for stepping in during Ian’s absence (honeymoon) in May, and also for organising an excellent tour to the Mumbles. Some thanks to Ant too – but I didn’t take any notes… maybe for compiling the fixtures, maybe for buggering off abroad?

 

 

 

3

 

Treasurer’s Report:

 

 

Martin was accused of keeping the team in the dark about the club’s finances.

 

The Treasurer reported that the club had made a net profit of £30 over the course of the year, which was considerably “better than Woolworths”. It had been a tough year due to no sponsorship, and we are hoping this can be rectified by bringing plenty of custom to the Royal Oak during 2009 (sponsorship). Subs are to stay at £25, and match fees will remain at £5 a game. Additional income is to be raised by Fixture Cards.

 

The club’s own book “Not at This Level” has now sold ~80 copies, and the Lords Taverners were said to have found the book a very good read (two copies gifted for the Brian Johnson memorial). The books printing costs are now more or less covered and the club will soon be in profit.

 

Further thanks to Ant, Jake and Ian for collecting monies in Martin’s absence (deputy treasurers).

 

*  -  Matt to design / print fixture cards as in the 2006 season.

 

 

 

4

 

Ethos:

 

It was forgotten to take this item off the list – so Matt used it to remind people of the necessity in replying to “availability” e-mails for various fixtures during the course of the season. A simple “yes” or “no” will suffice – please DO NOT ignore them! This saves the skipper (or whoever is organising the team) a potential headache when chasing up a full team.

 

 

 

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 – Ian Howarth and Jake stand for the vacant role after Ant resigns due to leaving the country. Ian wins with a majority verdict, and as such all contact details are entrusted to him….

 

  • Treasurer – Martin wished to continue as Treasurer, Thornton contested citing “black holes in the accounts”. Vote is cast, Martin squeaks through with Thorn claiming close-friends are utter bastards for not voting for him.

 

  • Captain – Martin and Jake stand for the vacant job after Ian Howarth resigns. Martin wins a majority vote and is sworn in as the new captain.

 

  • Vice Captain – Martin will decide on Vice Skipper(s) during the off season (in his own words “fuck guest captains”).

 

  • Tour Organiser  –  Steve Parkinson agrees to taking on the poisoned chalice after Nick steps down, unanimous (cheese for cheese some might say).

 

  • Fines Chairman – Andrew Morley and Ian Leggate stand for the post after Jake resigns after more than 3 years in the job. Morlers wins the position with a majority verdict, and another of the club’s sources of wealth is now his responsibility….

 

  • Social Secretary – Jake wishes to stand for the post after Nick resigns. No contenders, unanimous.

 

 

 

6

 

Fixtures:

 

 

Dave (left) glazes over as Ian continues to moan about his current form….

 

Fixtures are already well underway and almost finalised (thanks to Ant). Contact details and e-mail correspondence has been passed to Ian Howarth. The Committee discussed fixtures for the new year and suitable opposition – these findings and pointers were passed onto Ant / Ian.

 

 

 

7

 

Season 2009

 

Ground:

 

Once more the FFTMCC will be playing at a new ground next year after organisng a relocation to Brasenose College in central Oxford. It was considered a good move in light of Stratfield Brake in Kidlington being deemed “soulless”, “windy” and “fucking crap”.

 

A committee meeting had instigated the move, and special thanks must go to Dan Edwards for sourcing the contacts, and James for following through with Dan the grounds man (another Dan) at Brasenose College. The only slight consideration is a possible clash of dates with “Captain Scott XI” who also use the ground (they only have a few games their anyway – possibly early season).

 

Pub:

 

The Royal Oak on Woodstock, Oxford is to be the club’s new Home Pub. The landlady (Rachel) is well respected by many of the players, the beer and cider on offer is good, and the pub is close to where the team will be playing every Sunday. Most of all, the “feel” of the pub is in keeping with the soul of the team (no skinheads or drug dealers frequent it).

 

Subscriptions and Match Fees:

 

Subs are to stay at £25, and match fees will remain at £5 a game.

 

Kit:

 

Jake is going to investigate “blue” tracksuit bottoms….

 

New Players:

 

It is agreed the club need an injection of at least 2 new “regular” players for the coming season. It is concluded that these may be sought from Brasenose College itself, contacts who Andrew Darley knows (OU Offices) since their Sunday team has now disbanded, and maybe the pub itself if we advertise the fact in the New Year.

 

 

 

8

 

Tour:

 

The 2009 Tour is scheduled for the weekend of August 16th. Stephen Parkinson has been tasked with organising the shindig, and he is hopeful to lead a party to his home county of Lincolnshire (somewhere he has actually scored some runs – allegedly).

 

 

Stevie P didn’t make the AGM, he was busy posing in “cheesy” photographs.

 

Congratulations to Steve and his missus on bringing another Mad baby into the world - young Harry. Commiserations to Harry having Steve as a role model.

 

 

 

9

 

Other Events for 2009:

 

  • Jake Hotson has promised “loads of wonderful social occasions” after being sworn in as Social Secretary. Whether anyone bothers supporting his efforts is open to debate, but the very best of luck to him. Immediate suggestions included “piss up’s in here (the pub)”….

 

  • Andrew Darley mentioned coaching sessions which had been organised in early February for the OU Offices for anyone interested. It was suggested these were for “his benefit” (large applause). Details nearer the time.

 

  • Winter nets are to run alongside the OU Offices at Magdalen College. Details nearer the time.

 

  • There is the possibility of some midweek Twenty20 games for the OU Offices during 2009. Darley will post info as and when it arises.

 

*  -  James to investigate the potential of using Brasenose for netting purposes during the summer.

 

 

 

10

 

Awards:

 

 

Ant wins a classic “sympathy vote” for POTS whilst pissed.

 

The following awards were voted for and the winners announced:

 

  • Player Of The Season  –  Antony Mann

 

  • Most Improved Player  –  Andrew Morley

 

  • Effort  –  Ian Howarth

 

  • Champagne Moment  –  Dave Shorten (huge six into house on tour)

 

  • Stan’s Fantasy Cricket  –  James Hoskins

 

There were also two special awards – firstly a £60 engraved pen handed to Antony Mann for his services to the club over the years. Ant leaves for Australia early in the New Year and will be sorely missed. He is one of the Mad’s two original serving members. It was decreed that nobody can ever wear the #3 shirt in his absence. Ant spouted some bollocks about missing us etc etc. Due to Jude (Ant’s missus) having family in this country, Ant can be expected to be seen on occasions in the future.

 

Ant’s Mad career so far has returned 191 wickets at an average of 12.82, and 955 runs at an average of 13.84. Jake is expected to fill his boots next year.

 

 

James fixes the voting, but still comes last.

 

Ian Howarth was handed a chess clock for his services rendered as skipper for the past 3 seasons. Club statto revealed Ian to have been “an average tosser” during his stint as skip, winning half his tosses. Nobody believed that stat and there were howls of derision. There were more howls of derision when Ian informed the players they were all “lucky” to serve under him. Ian then thanked everyone and wished Martin all the best in the hot seat for 2009. He didn’t thank Stevie D once for his efforts as vice captain – and nobody blamed him.

 

 

11

 

Any Other Business:

 

  • There a special toast to club founder Noel Reilly (62) who sadly passed away weeks after the club’s book launch (coincidence?) Again, Noel will be sadly missed, as without him, we would never have… become. Jake then rambles on for anyone who wants to listen (we didn’t).

 

  • The word “Jude” is no longer to be used in the negative (i.e a fine will no longer be levied at anyone using the word). Another irony seeing Ant is now leaving the club… with his wife, Jude….

 

  • The Edwards’ are having their now traditional festive “mulled wine” party on the 21st of December for those who are interested.

 

  • Steve Dobner is having a New Year’s Party, but in his own words “none of you c*nts are invited!”

 

 

 

 

*

 

POTS:  A. Mann with a sympathy vote

Champagne Moment:  D. Shorten’s huge six into a house on tour

Best Effort:  I. Howarth wins with a sympathy vote

Most Improved Player:  A. Morley’s dramatic change from pisshead to half-cricketer

 

 

 

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