ANTHONY AXFORD BOLTON CRICKET LEAGUE

83^rd ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

TONGE C.C.

15^th DECEMBER

Apologies: The Treasurer. Eagley C.C. were not represented.

Minutes Silence: The Committee stood in memory of all who had dies during the previous year, including President Peter Stafford.

Minutes of the 82^nd AGM: These had been circulated and approved previously. There were no matters arising.

Chairman’s Report: This last 12 months the League has operated very much has it has done in previous years but we will all remember 2014 for different reasons. Those clubs who have won trophies, the emergence of new junior players, the weather being good during the week and indifferent at the weekend.

The sad loss of Peter Stafford will be remembered by all.

This Cricket League founded in 1930 is proud of its history and its traditions and looking back over those years we have seen some of the best cricketers this country and the world has seen play the game within our League. Our clubs have withstood the test of time thanks to the unstinting work of the volunteers at all of our clubs.

We have developed some of the finest young players who have gone on to represent their County and Country and those individuals at club level who have spent unstinting amounts of time coaching and mentoring should be rightly proud of their achievements.

The question I ask myself

Is this sustainable?

Can we continue as we currently operate?

Personally I don’t think we can, we cannot operate like we did in the 1970s never mind the 1930s, Life has Changed and we need to change with it or I can see clubs going by the wayside.

Being honest do we think we have everything right in our League?

When we see young players who have had the benefit of playing competitive cricket in this League and the coaching and support that goes with it leaving our League for pastures new

I ask why? Something is amiss.

Is it not time that we looked seriously at our structure and the way in which we play the game?

Is it not time that we become firmer with all clubs when it comes to our Grounds and Facilities. I am fed up of hearing that our wickets aren’t the best.

Is it not time that clubs considered the future of the club rather than the short-term expediency of winning a trophy.

Is the Greater Manchester Structured approach the right one? I don’t know but what is encouraging there is a desire to change our structure BCL to ensure that we are around in the years to come. Ultimately it will be down to the clubs to decide.

We cannot ignore what’s going on around us, BUT the future is in our own hands if we can summon up the courage to change.

This report also provides me with an opportunity to thank a number of people for their time and commitment to the League in the last year.

This year we saw the formation of the Management Committee, which for me has functioned well and will develop further next year and so to Ray, Derek, Warwick, Bill, Mike, John, Karen, Chris, and Eric a big thank you.

To those club representatives who have served on sub committees I would also like to record my tanks for your efforts towards the League.

I would like to mention one person in particular and that is Tracy for the work she has put into Playcricket this year. This hasn’t been easy but to get through the first year of this new arrangement has gone extremely well.

Finally a big thank you to all the clubs and the band of volunteers at each who have given so much.

Disciplinary Report: This has been emailed to clubs. Mr Hutchison said he didn’t feel the Disciplinary Committee had been unduly lenient with cases taken on merit. Members of the Disciplinary were thanked for the time and effort they has put in during an unusually busy season.

Ground Report: Mr Kay said clubs have been given individual reports, and the Ground Committee would be discussing ground criteria for the coming season.

Junior Report: Mr Elkin said he was grateful clubs have approved the junior proposals as the ‘Red Team’ system in 2014 had not worked. Tracey Brooks was again thanked for her work with Playcricket and it is hoped she will be able to assist clubs with the introduction of iteam- mate.

Statement of Accounts: These have been emailed along with the notes from Chris Monks. The accounts were approved subject to the clarification of monies owed by clubs. The Committee agreed Messer’s Milne and Elkin would sign the cheques and be responsible for the electronic operation of the accounts from this meeting forward.

Election of President: Frank Hinks was elected President. Mr Hinks said clubs should work together as a family which supports each other, and we should be proud of our league.

Election of Life Members: Ron Fallows and Karen Knott were elected. Mr Fallows was not present at the meeting, but Mrs Knott said she was very honoured and thanked everyone for their assistance.

Proposed Amendments to Rules: The successful ones will be emailed to clubs. Mr Bannister explained his concern that a proposal for second team fixtures had been defeated so easily at the first vote.

Election of the Management Committee: The following were elected;

Chairman – M Hall

Secretary – R Taylor

Treasurer – W Milne

Vice Chairman – D Kay

Other Members – B Elkin, W Halton, J Hutchinson and Mrs K Knott.

Junior Representative – M Buckley

Umpires’ Representative – To be elected

Mr Morris queried the status of Mr Buckley but was assured by the Chairman it was a legitimate appointment.