Far From The MCC

~ Est. in 1998 ~

 

“2009 AGM”

 

 

Saturday 21th November 2009

Result:  Drunk and bloated

Venue:  Royal Oak (Oxford)

8.00pm+

 

 

 

The Royal Oak pub on Woodstock Road once again provided the backdrop for the end of season Annual General Meeting, and at various intervals we could actually hear what each other was saying.

 

 

James Hoskins – probably the most successful trophy winner at a single AGM

that this team has ever had.

 

The event was reasonably well attended, and despite James Hoskins and Ian Leggate having a monopoly on all the awards and trophies, it proved quite exciting (especially if you were James Hoskins and Ian Leggate).

 

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 AGM

 

 

1

 

Apologies for absence:

 

Ade Fisher

Antony Mann

Gary Littlechild

Steve Parkinson

 

Present:

 

Matt Bullock  (Chairman)

Martin Westmoreland  (Captain, Treasurer)                                          

Ian Howarth  (Fixtures Secretary, minutes)                                                                   

Jake Hotson  (Social Secretary)                                         

James Hoskins  (Ground Secretary)

 

JP Collins

Andrew Darley

Steve Dobner  (Vice Captain)

Dan Edwards

Dave Emerson

Nick Hebbes

Ian Leggate

Mike Reeves  (Vice Captain)

Dave Shorten

Thornton Smith

 

 

 

2

 

Chairman’s Report:

 

 

Chairman Matt (right) leafs through the same old bollocks as last year.

 

The Chairman began by thanking various members of the team for all their efforts over the year, in particular Martin Westmoreland for his juggling act of captaincy and treasurer. Thanks also went to Steve Dobner and Mike Reeves who deputised as skipper in Martin’s absence; to Steve Parkinson for a successful tour of Louth; to Ian for organising the fixtures and continued good work on the website; to James for organising the Royal Oak as a venue for the AGM; and lastly thanks to Dan (groundsman of Brasenose) – with a view to it being the home of the team next year.

 

Sadly there was no Andrew Morley to collect his “Most Improved Player” trophy from last year.

 

 

 

3

 

Treasurer’s Report:

 

Martin detailed the club’s finances, and in keeping with the credit crunch, the Mad returned their worst figures in their short 10 year history (a £364 net loss, although they do possess a £10 Sainsbury voucher courtesy of Dave Emerson). Much of the blame for the arrears was laid at Steve Parkinson’s door after he failed to clear his £20 debt.

 

 

A new “boss” has been drafted in to look after the Mad’s abysmal finances.

 

It was muted that the club need to attract more revenue through increased sponsorship (pubs), and more aggressive fines (not enough money raised over the season). Subs and match fees will be looked into in due course.

 

The team are aware that costs of ground hire next year may rise.

 

 

 

4

 

Ethos:

 

It was forgotten to take this item off the list again – so Matt used it to remind people of the necessity in replying to “availability” e-mails for various fixtures during the course of next 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:

 

 

A vocal rendition of “Louth Ladies” attracted no votes for Dave Shorten.

 

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 wishes to continue as Fixtures Secretary, unopposed.

 

  • Treasurer – Martin decides to relinquish his role as Treasurer for the Mad. There is warm applause for his efforts over the years. Mike Reeves stands for the role and is duly elected, unopposed.

 

  • Captain – Martin wishes to continue as Captain, unopposed.

 

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

 

  • Tour Organiser  –  James Hoskins was sworn in as the Tour Organiser (see notes later), after a vote was carried out between two potential regions to tour.

 

  • Fines Chairman – James Hoskins and Ian Leggate stand for the post in Andrew Morley’s absence (and failure of communication). James wins the post after a show of hands 8 to 5 in his favour.

 

  • Social Secretary – Jake stands down from the role after a vote of non-confidence in himself. In an unusual move, the suggestion from Dan Edwards that the role be split between 3 parties is carried, and the position will be held jointly by Dan, Dave Emerson and Ian Leggate.

 

 

 

6

 

Season 2010:

 

 

Dave Emerson remains in focus about next year’s drinking commitments.

 

Fixtures are already well underway and almost finalised (thanks to Ian) – a Committee Meetting ruled on many of these at the close of the 2009 season.

 

The Mad hope to make use of Brasenose College Sports Ground next term, although nothing is 100% confirmed as yet (Ian has conducted preliminary talks with Dan the groundsman and is awaiting confirmation). Jesus College has been muted as an alternative as the Mad have good contacts with the groundsman there, and the OU Offices who regularly frequent the place.

 

*  -  Ian to arrive at a conclusion regarding Brasenose as a home ground for next year.

 

The Royal Oak is confirmed as being the Mad’s planned “Home Pub” for next year – especially as a social venue. Depending on where the FFTMCC play next year – they will probably try to secure sponsorship from the Marsh Harrier (near Jesus College) or Folly Bridge (near Brasenose).

 

*  -  James to pursue sponsorship depending on ground situation.

 

Subs and match fees are to be addressed by the new Treasurer before next season. We need to balance books – especially if ground fees go up.

 

*  -  Mike Reeves to come to a decision (as soon as potential ground outlay is worked out).

 

A new player has been pushed forward by Andrew Darley – he is Chris “Bob” Roberts. This acquisition should help to fill the void left by JP Collins (who leaves for Australia – just like Antony Mann did the previous year). The balance and depth of the squad remains stable.

 

There maybe a requirement for new kit – shirts, hats, jumpers etc. Also, the team are happy with the MCC logo that Matt came up with a few years ago.

 

*  -  Martin to canvas opinion and order in new kit.

 

*  -  Matt to provide a high quality gif or j-peg of the logo for the club website.

 

 

 

7

 

FFTMCC Awards:

 

 

Nick holds aloft the trophies he scooped for luckiest shot of the year.

 

The following awards (with accompanying trophy) were voted for and the winners announced:

 

  • Player Of The Season  –  James Hoskins

 

  • Most Improved Player  –  James Hoskins

 

  • Effort  –  Martin Westmoreland

 

  • Champagne Moment  –  Nick Hebbes  (boundary into club house at Legbourne, after announcing he would do so)

 

  • Stan’s Fantasy Cricket  –  James Hoskins

 

Lesser, and more humorous honours were also awarded (for instances accrued over the course of the entire season):

 

  • Buffet Award  –  Ian Leggate

 

  • Champagne  –  Ian Howarth

 

  • Ducks  –  Steve Dobner  (4)

 

  • Longest Over  –  Ian Leggate  (14 balls)

 

  • Run out Specialist  –  Ian Leggate

 

 

 

8

 

Tour:

 

 

“What? I’m organising tour as well as do everything else?”

 

The 2010 Tour is scheduled for the weekend of August 15th. James Hoskins has been tasked with organising the event in Lyme Regis, Dorset – after a show of hands ruled in favour of touring this location (as opposed to a return to Louth in Lincolnshire).

 

 

 

9

 

Other Events for 2010:

 

Andrew Darley has promised to arrange organised nets for the Mad. It is suggested that nets are more orderly and not just a “slogging” affair.  Nets are proposed to be for the slightly longer duration of 90 minutes, probably starting at 11am on Sunday.

 

*  -  Andrew to organise and liaise with team via email.

 

Social events will be forthcoming this year, and hope to include a 1-day match at Worcestshire (near the train station).

 

*  -  Social Trio to organise various events and liaise with team via email.

 

 

 

10

 

Fun and Games:

 

James Hoskins presented members of the Mad assembly with a pack of Far From The MCC Top Trumps. These playing cards went down a storm! The chairman thanked both James and Ian Leggate for their efforts in finalising and producing the cards.

 

 

 

11

 

Any Other Business:

 

 

A fitting point at which to conclude these minutes….

 

The AGM came do an abrupt conclusion due to players requiring more beer, so this particular item on the agenda was forgotten.

 

 

 

 

*

 

POTS:  J. Hoskins wonderful wicket haul for the season

Champagne Moment:  N. Hebbes four into the clubhouse

Best Effort:  M. Westmoreland’s captaincy and treasurers juggling act

Most Improved Player:  J. Hoskins

 

 

 

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