From

Message

Pedant

Posted : 31/01/2008 22:06

Subject : Sub-Conscious Slip!

In the Pros and Cons of the Hockey Club merger. Shouldn't "Fear that because ACC on its own won't control sports committee", actually read "Fear that because ATCC on its own won't control sports committee"?

If we read and write it enough times, we'll all get used to it.

From

Reply

Pedant 2

Posted : 01/02/2008 11:37

Subject : Re:Sub-Conscious Slip!

Well spotted. Also the meeting will not take place at Old Stacians Clubhouse but ATCC's clubhouse!

From

Reply

Julian

Posted : 01/02/2008 12:58

Subject : Re:Sub-Conscious Slip!

Very well spotted Pedants.
I have read the fors and againsts with interest and have one comment:

The term 'modest ambitions' in the 'for' points is a bit misleading. My ambition is for ATCC to be a premeir league cricket club and I am sure we can achieve that goal, merged or not, in the years to come.

Who won the 1st XI premier league last year? Was it a multi sports functioning body with 3 cricket pitches, 3 hockey pitches et al? No - it was St. Lawrence, an outfit who concentrate on cricket. Who won the 2nd XI premiership? Was it a multi sports facitlity? No - it was Sevenoaks, an outfit who concentrate on Cricket.

That's not to say a merger can't work, but I would state that ambitions can be reached whether we are a stand alone cricket club or one part of a multi sports club.

From

Reply

Ped-ant 2

Posted : 01/02/2008 16:12

Subject : Re:Sub-Conscious Slip!

It will be interesting to see projected comparisons of operating costs for each individual club.
One can only assume the cost of '3 top specification astro-turf pitches' plus all the gubbins that go with it ( floodlights etc), will be significantly less than preparation and maintenance of 3 cricket pitches.
Why not come up with some short term objectives and see if we can realise them before going 'pedal to the metal' and building the next Wembley!

From

Reply

julian

Posted : 01/02/2008 16:24

Subject : Re:Sub-Conscious Slip!

I think you'd be surprised at how much 3 astro turf pitches cost to install and then factor in replacement every 10 years. I think their last replacement at Ball lane cost in excess of £100k. times that by 3 every 10 years and it starts to outweigh a groundsmans cost to keep 2/3 cricket pitches.

From

Reply

Ben

Posted : 01/02/2008 17:08

Subject : Re:Sub-Conscious Slip!

I think you must be having a laugh Pedant2! Significantly more I would think.
Surely the cricket club is best off left alone for the time being.
If we build a massive sports complex and it stands empty all the money is gone (again).
Has any market research been taken out to see if there is a market in Ashford for all these multi sport facilities?
It needs serious consideration.

From

Reply

Julian

Posted : 01/02/2008 17:45

Subject : Re:Sub-Conscious Slip!

One can only assume Pedant 2 was being sarcastic......

I believe the two clubs could re locate together but have separate entrances at the end of an entrance drive (left for Cricket, right for hockey) and operate as two separate clubs.
That way any crossing over of players from hockey to Cricket could happen and both clubs would be on each others doorsteps, but separate to follow their own path.
We would only need 2 full pitches with perhaps a small 3rd nursery ground for colts. One pavilion could service both pitches and there should be an allowance for an indoor facility. Speaking to Si Willis the other week, even Kent CCC are crying out for quality indoor facilities for all their youth teams to train in the winter and we could also host the indoor league matches. We could surely still retain our contacts with Kenington FC to lease them some pitches for their 'tigers' in the winter months.
By having a pavilion that 'welcomes' people and Sky TV etc, you could still get people there in the winter months and hold regular club events (parties, pokers nights, etc) to raise funds.
That is my opinion only and members will have the chance at the upcoming meetings to make up their own minds after hearing all the options. I am still keen to hear and see what the plans are for the new evelopment and the costings.
If we build some massive sports complex and do not run it properly, then we will all be up the swanny in a few years time!

From

Reply

hoady

Posted : 01/02/2008 19:52

Subject : Re:Sub-Conscious Slip!

Hastings seem to have a very good model to follow.
Perhaps we should be speaking to them to work out how to make it a success.

Agree the numbers need to be sorted. But do we think it can be managed better separately, history would say no.
The hockey club is on a big high at the moment and is very well supported socially, something they do very well.
This would compliment ATCC very well. As we have seen in the past a successful off
season is the key to a sustainable sports club, something that has eluded us in the past
and what the last 15 years at ACC has missed.