St. David’s CCC Statement On Eastern County
The St. David’s County Cricket Club has released a statement expressing their position concerning the Eastern County Cricket Series.
The Eastern Counties Cricket Association [ECCA] last week released the schedule for this year’s Series and St. David’s was not included in the two game line up.
Full statement from St. David’s County Cricket Club below:
The membership and executive of the St. David’s County Cricket Club [St DCCC] regret to inform you that our Eastern Counties Senior Cricket team will not participate in this year’s Eastern County Cricket Series. This was not a decision that was made by us. St DCCC was excluded from this year’s Series by the executive of the Eastern Counties Cricket Association [ECCA] in a letter to St DCCC at the end of last month. On Friday 8 July 2011, the decision to make this public announcement was made by St DCCC after a meeting of its executive and membership to discuss the ECCA’s treatment of our club with respect to this year’s Eastern County Cricket Series.
There have been a number of comments made in the press in recent weeks, none of which have been attributed to the executive or the membership of St DCCC. St DCCC has chosen to treat our current standing within the ECCA with the utmost care and respect, at all times preferring to address any grievances with the ECCA through official channels rather than involving the media. Our silence was an attempt to avoid a repeat of the media spectacle that surrounded last year’s Eastern County Cricket Series. However, given the swirl of speculation surrounding the reasons behind the decision for St DCCC not participating in this year’s series, the executive and membership of the St DCCC believe it is appropriate to set the record straight.
Our primary intention after the 2010 Eastern County Cricket Series was to show our eagerness to rectify our mounting concerns with the governance of the ECCA and the running of the Eastern County Series. We wanted this historic series to continue, so St DCCC reinstated our representatives to the ECCA and became willing participants in all negotiations and mediation efforts throughout the off season. Our president agreed a hosting agreement with the other three member clubs’ presidents along with an ECCA appointed mediator. On the 14TH April 2011, two days after this agreement was signed, the ECCA sanctioned St DCCC at an ECCA general meeting as punishment for our boycott of the 2010 series.
The ECCA decided that St DCCC should be placed on 2 years probation, be docked 15% of the monies due to us from this year’s series, be automatically placed in the last game of the series (removing any chance of us fairly competing for the title) and be made to publicly apologize for the 2010 boycott.
In order to lawfully sanction a member of any association, there must be express rules within that association’s constitution and/or bye-laws providing a power to do so. There are no rules within the ECCA constitution or its bye-laws that provide such a power. The decision by the ECCA to impose these sanctions was, therefore unconstitutional.
Article 6(a) of the ECCA bye-laws states “Any matter which requires disciplinary action by the Association shall be dealt with within fourteen (14) days of the incident.”The sanctions imposed on St DCCC were meted out nearly 9 months after the boycott. St DCCC believes that the ECCA abused their powers and distorted their constitution and bye-laws in order to levy these sanctions against us. We feel that these sanctions are an attempt to publicly embarrass St DCCC, financially penalize us and deny our team a fair chance to battle for the County Cup title. They have nothing to do with protecting the reputation of the game of cricket.
At an appeals hearing, St DCCC argued that the sanctions were unconstitutional. We informed the board that the ECCA appointed mediator rejected the ECCA’s request for punishments for St DCCC during the binding presidential mediation. The mediator notified the ECCA and club presidents of her objection to these sanctions after learning of the 14th April 2011 meeting. We also argued that the ECCA never officially informed St DCCC of the sanctions, we learned of them by receiving minutes of the 14th April 2011 meeting. The ECCA appointed appeals board upheld all sanctions except the 15% financial penalty.
St DCCC executives have made all attempts to deal with this matter in a reasonable way. We objected to the ECCA rulings, but we worked within their protocol of appeal in order defend our club against the sanctions. As a last resort, St DCCC sought legal advice on these issues. Our lawyers advised that the sanctions imposed by the ECCA were without jurisdiction and would likely be void, also that the ECCA’s ad hoc appeals committee decisions would consequently be void due to the ECCA’s original lack of jurisdiction to impose sanctions.
Put bluntly, the ECCA did not play by their own rules when they decided to sanction St DCCC. Armed with this advice, St DCCC wrote to the ECCA informing them that we would play the 2011 Series under protest and asking them to remove the sanctions. The ECCA fired back stating that “the [ECCA] will be moving forward without [St DCCC’s] participation in the 2011 series”. There is no express power within the ECCA Constitution which allows the ECCA to remove a member club from the Eastern County Cricket Series. The ECCA have not played by the rules again.
St DCCC have received clear legal advice that as a result of the ECCA’s decision, we are within our rights to seek declarations from the Supreme Court that the sanctions imposed by the Association are void and without jurisdiction as well as injunctive relief requiring the Association to take such steps to place St DCCC in the position it would have been in had these wrong decisions not been made.
However, in the spirit and heritage of the Eastern County Cricket Series and in an effort to promote unity and the betterment of the sport, the executive and membership of St DCCC voted not to take legal action at our meeting 8 July 2011. Rather, we decided to invite the ECCA to reconsider its position with regard to the sanctioning of St DCCC in this same spirit and to give us confirmation that it no longer seeks to uphold those sanctions as they are plainly unconstitutional. The ECCA have refused to reconsider the sanctions and stand by their decision.
St. David’s CCC holds the Eastern County Cup Series in high regard and it is for this reason that we have not sought and do not seek any interruptions (by legal intervention or otherwise) to this year’s series. We will not challenge the decision of the ECCA at this time because we no longer have faith in the ECCA as a fair and unbiased governing body. We cannot accept an association that ‘cherry picks’ constitutional bye-laws to enforce punishments, but operates in contravention of many specific articles within the very same document.
It is our full intention to help to improve the ECCA before next year’s series. We have supplied the ECCA and all member clubs with a preliminary proposal for a restructured governing body that will give all member clubs an equal voice within the association.
We appreciate the history of the game and we continue to teach our juniors the pride and heritage behind this historic tournament. We would like to congratulate Cleveland County for their triumph in the 2010 series and wish them as well as Flatt’s Victoria and Bailey’s Bay all the best in their pursuit of the 2011 County Cup title.
Bla Bla Bla come on St Davids you write a lot of folly, if you are seriuos like you said you will Play and get on with the game the ECCA has made every effort to get this game played. But I guess you need to sought out your own afairs at your club like some of your players told you. If you cant get all the money for the spots around a government field you dont cry foul. tell them how you will not play unless they are by your rules, Tell them you will not play because you want all the spot money around a Government field and refuse to share with the other teams,who if they did not play you will not have a game. Your Management need to grow up and get on with things but has anyone looked at the club lately. Go in the changing rooms and look at the entire facility its a hell hole so first clean your house. To the players you need to stand up and tell those fool hardy management to manage properly.
Thanks
this sounds like somebody on the ECCA truck. You all as our Mascot says ” YOU ALL NEED TO GO!” We in St. David’s and I speak about the Community support our Management, concerned persons attended all of the meetings, listened attentively and understood exactly what was presented to us as this is not the first time we have been through this. Do you know what the role ECCA is and if so, share it with the public who really want to know. I would tell you, but seeing you are so informed, let’s hear it.
Right On Cindy, Free Thinker , that’s funny, maybe try thinking for starters. Don’t hold your breath waiting for an intelligent response.
Wow! Well written half-truths! Forgot to mention about St. DCCC’s sole driving force behind this idiotcy! The pursuit of money and money only with little regard to the other 3 teams and the series. It’s spelled out in their “fair” proposal that will fly like a lead ballon! Read between the lines in this statement and it’s clear as well. I challenge them to send their “fair” proposal to the media!
At the end of the day it’s all about money and greed. Cleveland and Flatts have been getting screwed year after year. The playing field is not level. St. DCCC want to continue to receive the lion’s share of the profits. Greedy killed the pig and it’s killing the game now!
Baileys Bay is the team that does not want St. Davids to play cause we would cut their a$$. If you get rid of the best team their is a slight chance that Bay might get a victory one of these years. lofl. Bit@#@$$
You didn’t realize what happen this weekend gone mate? Last time I checked you had ya County team playing minus one or two players and you lot LOST BY 9wickets last time I Check THATS A ROYAL CUT RASS! You lot stand a better CHANCE @ WINNING THE CUP THIS YEAR! Without the TRUE CHAMPS IN SERIES! ST.DAVIDS BOYS FOREVER!
Why dont you also tell the people St Davids that you were advised you ahve NO case to answer and you could not take out a sanction. You are not serious you said
“However, in the spirit and heritage of the Eastern County Cricket Series and in an effort to promote unity and the betterment of the sport”
You are talking at lot of trash becasue if you are conserned about the spirit you would play adn yet still fight the good fight in the board , You are not about unity when you want all the spoils of the match and consider the smaller clubs beneath you. And as for the betterment of the sport, you would play and win on the field shame you are depriving tyour youth of the game. The days of Wilbur Pitcher, Brinky Tucker who I must say woukld not have allowed such a mess to begin with must be hurting with the mindset of those new management.
It’s Obvious the Spirit and heritage of the Eastern Counties Cricket Series is not being served by the ECCA itself. Even if St DCCC where being greedy and acting selfishly (which they aren’t) the ECCA Committee are not of the same caliber of the named people you mentioned, Ray Charles can see it so why can’t you?! Obviously One of the ECCA Jokers, if not then you aren’t smart enough to know the difference.
Funny how all the ECCA defenders havent read or accepted that the ECCA were the ones who quite un democratically moved StDCCC to the last game after they came out first in the draw neither do they seem to accept that it was the association that banned ST DCCC from playing in the counties. Also the other issues that havent even been mentioned like the financial support for senior County Players either health or burial assistance, The senior complimentary tent area that they are supposed to finance not the clubs or the Senior cricket tours that they are supposed to organize. Not to mention the fact that we havent had audited financial records for more than ten years. One can only wonder what state the financial records are in.
HELLO HATERS At the end of the day the E.C.C.A. did not want to play by THEIR own rules…get it- thats like a police officer trying to pull you over for driving under the influence and they are drunk…..how does that work????
@ free thinker-ya not free …you just can’t see the bars-YES the field is government property-WHO PAYS FOR THE UPKEEP OF SAID FIELD…….ya that’s what i thought.You have never seen ag&fish cutting the field or up on the bank have you???
Yes you do keep up the cutting of the field but when it comes to county year who you send the bill to for the bank and the rest do you want to be real and honest. The ECCA pays for that go have a Suckrock sandwhich you may feel better .
Who did Bailey’s Bay send their Bill to for the Recent Ground Improvements then? Tell me what should the ECCA do with the money that they make then if not paying for some part of the clean up/maintenance. They sure as hell aren’t sending teams away etc…
Oh st davids shut the hell up! You have been raking in the money for the longest while….the ECCA should ban you from the eastern counties for ten years and then make you apply to be re-instated to let you and your fans know that you are not bigger than the county itself! Bunch of sore losers….one thing for sure you will not be a miss because you wasn’t last year so good riddance!!!! PS…sombody lock #1 gate anyway
Well Ban Us Then, I bet They’ll be begging for us to be reinstated within three years as you wont make enough money to pay for the gas to pay for the mower to cut Bays Wicket. Who’s going to come watch the remaining teams anyway (giggle)
Maybe your club may actually win a match for a change then as that’s how you make money isn’t it … being Champions and playing more matches right? well of course you wouldn’t know how that feels right?!
Also if its Flatt’s or Cleavland you can use the winnings to start Hosting Matches yourself then. LOL.
LMAO @ BDA For life When was the last time your club saw the cup? We chose not to play on very good reason and your dumb team couldn’t even Beat Cleveland LOL Sore Losers? We bowed out as champions. Oh and I hope the good cut ass you got last week Just cant accept St DCCC are the best in the east. Get over it or dont we dont give a shit
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We are sore losers? When was the last time your dumb team actually won the cup?……Im waiting?….. OH Ok when you finish your bitter rant be sure of one thing It was our community that started this series you and your team are probably just guests at best when you get over yourself you will realize that we are and always will be the premier team in this competition. Oh and its the bridge we need to open to keep crabs like you away. Years ago you wouldn’t be found dead in ST Davids now you are all living here in droves. I bet you joined us for Founders day this year as well why I trust you enjoyed yourself. Why don’t you encourage your own club to raise itself to the level that STDCCC has. Nuff said.
why are people so angry-you all should be happy…at least now you actually stand a chance at winning the cup-ya bunch of turkeys
Have you noticed that St Davids have Not put forward a good case at anytime. They have alwasy said they are in another world .
Try reading the Article again then … Slowly if you must, first remove your blinders though. We are right to protest at the ECCA’s Poor Stewardship, ST DCCC and their Supporters are Head and shoulders above all of you, and you know it hence your Bitterness.
We will move forward either quickly or slowly and be victorious both in getting the ECCA to play by their own Rules, You? well you will still be Bitter, enough said.
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o kay,i went and had a suck rock sandwich alongside some sharkhash and a nice golden piece of mullet roe and ya right “stumped” i do feel better although i feel the same way about this mess.The E.C.C.A. got upset at the champions-threw a tantrum then took their bat and ball and went home…ya a bunch of turkeys
First and foremost, ST. DAVID’S BOYS FOREVER!!!!!
For those who are not members of St.DCCC please reserve your comments as you cannot believe everything that you read in newspapers. REAL members know the deal and the team was willing to play yet still fight the board. It was the board who did not inlcude us in the lineup.
I agree that we need to clean up some things in house first, but the board cannot have double standards when it applies to one club and not the others. Also if a rule is in place all parties involved (including the board) need to abide by that rule. So ECCA get your house in order ASAP!
Thank You, I have been sitting here fighting the desire to speak my mind. But you guys have pushed me. So you all think it is about money – pssst, it’s not! It truly for us IS the honor, spirit, pride, integrity that our teams from the very first County on down to the juniors of today – this spirit continues on from family to family, fan to fan, supporter to supporter, sponsors continue to stand by us. History: this Cup was played by three teams – St. David’s, Flatts, Tucker’s Town – the vision of a Reverend who serviced these three areas – each club put in funds with St. D’s seeing the need – increased their giving. Eventually Bullies Bae were invited to play- yes, invited. St. David’s has always stood heads above everybody – we have a great history of achievements and Harold Millett can tell everyone, he was one of our great opening bats – going in at 10am and stay to wicket all day – great bat. There are other stories – I can only tell you about St. David’s. St. David’s is not going to pulled into a game of words with anyone, we stand on and by our principles – which are play the game and play it til Victory comes, govern the game and govern it with decency and in order. We play with heart, courage, integrity, spirit, honor and pride – for every cricket game we play, no matter on which field – you can feel all of this in the air, it all can be seen in the face of each player as he takes the field, the sound of the fans/supporters, the beauty of the flags are they come onto the field and as you look around the field. This is what is at stake – you want money – get sponsors, have fund raisers, enlarge your membership but be sure in all your getting, get things right – this is all we are endeavoring to do.
Now you want to talk about the upkeep of our beautiful property – we do it ourselves – this is how it has been done from Club 1. Now, No. 1 gate has never had a gate on it, it was a security checkpoint for the Navy and Air Force, Gate 2 – Sentry in the lil cage another security checkpoint, Gate 3 – Hospital Gate. Ecca does ???? – please can somebody tell me – I was in a meeting and Mr. Millett said in response to the question where is the money “You all keep asking for more”.Who us – unbelievable.. You all talk about the money, don’t you realize that without St. David’s much becomes less and less becomes lesser. the 5 for me and 2 for them = $1,200.00? Hmm – stumped where you in the last meeting, sitting in the last row -Hmmm…. Anyhoot you all, enjoy your games. As the ad for Motel Six says “Come on by for awhile” and I will add “you are always welcome at LORD’S! There are no supporters like St. David’s Supporters – near, far and inbetween – we are one in the spirit, we are one, WE ARE WARRIORS!!!
Wow! So much venom against St.DCCC ignoring the fact that the Constitution and By-Laws, which as a founding member of the ECCA helped create, are being ignored by the Board.
If you get a mediator and agree to be bound by the findings and leave the table with an agreement, then how can you ignore them the next day and expect the other party to not have an issue?
As for our use of the Govt School field, we pay to assist in its maintenance, the hill where the spots are is cleared and maintained by the club including the playing field, along with the replacement and maintenance of the perimeter fence, as per the mutually beneficial agreement with the school.
The sharing of the monies have always been a source of contention and usually from the Bailey’s Bay camp so that is nothing new. I just hope a resolution can be found and we can get back to good cricket.
We have had mud slung at us for decades and yet we endure, our St David’s island spirit and pride will never be defeated!
free thinker, you are lost! The field you question is kept by the club and the grounds men are paid by the club. So stop your nonsense with “government field”. And to all of you that question the money, well when your team is the number one draw with the most fans, they should get the lions share of the profit, that is usually the case anywhere.
Hail hail, the gangs all here,… St. David’s Boys FOREVER!!!!!!
Enjoy the watered down ECC!!!!!
LOL listen to the crabs at the bottom of the bucket trying to pull us back in! lol. if cleavland and flatts want more than how about trying to WIN A GAME!!!!!???? all u idgiots have to say is money money money when it is cleaveland and flatts who apparently want money money money for now government owned field OR ANY UPKEEP OF ANY FIELD WHAT SO EVER SO WHY WOULD YOU NEED MORE MONEY? SO IF YOU WANT TO BE HONEST LETS ALL BE HONEST. WE STAND UP FOR THE BETTERMENT AND THE FUTURE OF THE COMPETITION AND ALL U FOOLS CAN MUTTER IS DUMBNESS!!!
SHAMEFUL!!
How about the ECCA actually sticking to the constitution for starters, naah that would actually mean they might have the competitions best interests at heart rather than their own individual power trip. Else for the Govt. Field comments Yawn!! who do those Dummies think paid for Bailey’s Bay’s Field improvements Their membership?! A**Holes !!
All about Money too eh? So what will Flatts and Cleavland do with their additional cash, lay new wickets to host the matches? Bay? well the Govt – in other words we taxpayers obviously pay for their ground improvements.
Enjoy your watered down matches now and maybe one of the other three may actually be able to win it … for a change. This will be as popular as the Western and Central counties in a few years watched by a few broadcasters (sometimes) a cat and two dogs.
Replace the ECCA members and update the Constitution for the good of the game, but that’s not really what many of the ECCA members want is it?!
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ECCA besides governing the ECC’s Rules are to:
a. provide extra toilet facilities (see the crap comes from the top)
b. provide a hospitality tent (which the club provides)- bring your own drink/snacks
c. provide security – the most was seen in 2009 (cops, guns, robbers – what a mix)
d. assist the Senior County Players as needed: Medication and so on
e. extend free entry into every game to former county players i.e. Pass – hmmm
f. provide Umpires/Officials
g. provide lunch/refreshments for the players, gates persons, umpires and so forth
h. hold AGM’s Annually
i. Financial books are supposed to be open to the public – now when did the lock go on that gate?
j. take their percentage of the gate 15%
k. what other monies: Vendor spots/crown and anchor and not to sure about this, but are they also responsible for the license for the day or each game for the C&A
l. Pay for the clean up of the hosting club’s field – not sure about this one
m. Only Club President appointed representatives are to attend all meetings upon set date and time and venue and minutes are to be typed and sent to all Clubs accordingly.
n. Provide Medical Personnel (St. John’s Ambulance Brigade)at each game or event
That’s all I know folks – from a very reliable source – gone but never forgotten!!
you missed the organize tours for a senior counties squad something that hasnt happened in years if ever
@its a 297-thing. I’m for St. Davids yo. Read it correctly fam.