“2007 AGM Report”
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The Six Bells pub in Kidlington provided the
setting for the 2007 MAD AGM. Not the pub itself, but a disjointed pool room
out the back where the regulars wouldn’t have to put up with the usual yelps
of excitement and howls of derision that would usually grace the event. What
tipped the scales in the pub’s favour was a free curry thrown into the deal
as part of a welcoming from the pub’s owners – a precursor to maybe using the
pub as new home – and the fact it resided not far from Kidlington CC, the
forerunner for next year’s cricketing fare following the rejection of
Pembroke College for the use of their sports ground.
Not even
some disgusting cheese eating kept the old man awake (in the background)…. The AGM was well attended, with a whole bunch of
laughs and piss-taking to be had as the crowd regaled stories of the season
past. The finale was an argument over the clutch of taxis that had been
ordered in advance of exiting the pub. Mr T. Smith and Czech import, Petr
Benisek, would later walk 6 miles home rather than line the pockets of some
fare-dodging bastard of a cab driver…. With a reasonably healthy head count in The MAD
ranks these days, we career towards 2008 and what promises to be another
successful season. And if it isn’t, we can all blame Spam and Twinkle for
making an arse of it. And of course M. Reeves, who was shoehorned into the
skipper’s role for the aforementioned absence of Ian and Steve in May. ‘M. Inutes’
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Part I –
Notes on attendance Apologies for absence: Mike Clarke (Spain) Steve Dobner (New dad) David
Shorten (Writing a match report) John
Harris (New dad) Gary
Littlechild (Getting married) Dan
Edwards (Crippling lurgy and Daddyism) Tony Mander Andrew Darley (Some piss-poor excuse) Andrew
Morley Present: Petr
Benisek Matt
Bullock (Chairman) Geoff
Carter Adie
Fisher Richard
Hadfield Nick
Hebbes (Tour Organiser, Social
Secretary) James
Hoskins (Decadilly Organiser) Jake
Hotson (Fines Chairman) Ian
Howarth (Captain, Minutes) Antony
Mann (Fixtures Secretary) Steve
Parkinson Mike
Reeves Adrian
Small Thornton
Smith Martin
Westmoreland (Treasurer) |
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Part II – Chairman’s Welcome The Chairman began by
thanking the Committee for all their efforts over the year, and also
commiserations to all regarding the poor weather that plagued half of the
season. Thanks to Ian for trying to ensure everyone got a game of cricket
during that appalling period (selection was incredibly difficult). The FFTMCC
will no longer be invited to play
at Pembroke College Sports Ground this coming year, with the bursar so far
still refusing to give any comment (despite nudging’s from a local news rag).
Thanks to Antony Mann for doing much of the groundwork as far as relocating
The MAD to the grounds of Kidlington CC next term; and also thanks to James
Hoskins for his excellent organisational efforts regarding the fun tour in
Eastbourne.
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Part III – Treasurer’s Report The Treasurer reported that
the club were in a healthy financial state, but stated that sponsorship would
be a more than welcome boost to club funds in light of the team leaving The
Magdalen pub this year. Martin also queried what insurance was needed (if
any) whilst playing at Kidlington. Are we already covered? The answer was we
don’t know. Ant will find out – or not.
Moo: “So I’ve blown all our money on a
new pram. Funny, eh?” |
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Part IV – Ethos After last year’s discussion
regarding the Ethos of the team, it was declared to have been a successful
2007 season with this in mind. As a reminder: the Ethos
roughly outlines how we will endeavour to play the game of cricket over the
course of the season to keep a decent balance between competitiveness and
friendliness. We aim to maintain the social aspect of the game and to give
everyone a game where possible. On the pitch this means we may opt for a
closer game against (weaker) opposition rather than hammering them into the
ground (by altering team selection accordingly). In essence we shall “make
the game a Sunday game”. Team members are encouraged to support the Captain
and Committee in this ethos.
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Part V – Committee Member Elections Always a popular part of the evening – voting for the
following season’s Committee positions would take up the following hour.
Herewith the results after all votes were tallied, rigged and doctored…. Elected Committee Posts Chairman Matt Bullock - wishes to continue as Chairman, no
contenders. Fixtures
Secretary Antony Mann - wishes to continue as Fixtures Secretary,
no contenders. Treasurer Martin Westmoreland - wishes to continue as Treasurer, no
contenders. Captain Ian Howarth - continues as Captain, beats off opposition
from Steve Parkinson and Thornton Smith. Vice
Captain Steve Dobner - continues as Vice Captain. The
Captain declared that team would probably need a “back-up” Vice Captain in
May, due
to both Ian (honeymoon) and Steve Dobner (baby) being absent. Vice
Vice Captain Mike Reeves -
is handed the job after beating Thornton Smith in a vote. * Non-Committee Posts Tour
Organiser Nick Hebbes - agrees to take the poisoned chalice after
Mr. Hoskins steps down, unanimous. Decadilly
Organiser James Hoskins - elected to organise The Mad’s 10 year
celebratory day, unanimous. Fines
Chairman Jake Hotson - continues as Fines Chairman, unopposed. Social
Secretary Nick Hebbes - continues in the role (after Andy Cavanagh
left), following a successful carrying of the baton, unanimous. |
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Part VI – Season 2008 Membership
Rates Membership rates agreed to be
upped to £25 (to offset potential lack of sponsorship) and Match Fees to
remain at £5 per game (or at least £100 per game if you break a club bat –
mentioning no names….)
“£25!? To get a duck and have your
bike fuckin’ nicked? No chance.” Fixtures Fixtures are already well underway and almost finalised
(thanks to Ant). It was decided to offer a few weaker teams only 1 game this
coming season (because we’re now of such an arrogant standing on the
cricketing front). Any ideas for vacant
weekends on the fixture calendar to inform Ant. Ground Kiddlington CC shall provide the ground for the Far
from the MCC this coming season. Pembroke College rebuked The MAD’s tenure on
their fields, and so prompted the change of venue. It is worth noting that
there is no bike theft at Kidlington CC, nor is there a demanding railway
bridge to traverse with heavy kit-bags (even if you don’t use the fucking
kit). KCC also sports a decent score box, a large car park, a brand new
pavilion with a balcony, a bar, and tables long enough to seat ALL players
from BOTH sides whilst they consume their teas. Home
Pub This is currently up in the air, although The Mad AGM
was held at the Six Bells in Kidlington with a view to the premise maybe
becoming a permanent fixture. Due to the club’s relocation, sadly we had to
leave Ben and The Magdalen after two very good years. Equipment
and Sundries Nothing much to report here other than The MAD may take
an order for new shirts and hats.
The only balls Jake ever catches are invisible ones. Tour
2008 Next season’s Tour will be
over the weekend of August 16. Nick Hebbes has taken on the role of
organising it, so if it’s shit, or doesn’t come off, we ALL know who to
blame. Gower (South Wales) has been muted as a possibility. An overseas Tour
then? Decadilly
Celebration / Club History It is the tenth year of the
Far from the MCC’s existence and as such the club are hoping to host a
special day of celebration on the weekend of August 9 (a Saturday) against a
few of their favoured rivals (the OU Offices for one). James Hoskins has
decided to take on the job of sorting this, so any help or ideas should be
conducted through him. The FFTMCC are also hoping to
publish a book of the Club’s history to hopefully to coincide with the
Decadilly event. Content will be varied and even interesting in parts with
Matt Bullock and Antony Mann tasked with organising the bulk of this. |
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Part VII – FFTMCC Awards Always one of the most popular parts of the evening –
herewith The MAD awards and trophies bestowed upon the lucky few, following
de rigueur of a pissed show of hands….
A huge cheque is always given to the
biggest twat on the team.
Roll of MAD Honours Player
Of The Season Ian Howarth Most
Improved Player Mike Reeves Effort Adrian Small Champagne
Moment Matt Bullock - amazing reflex slip-catch
on Tour (v Worthing Chippendale CC #147) James’
Mad Fantasy Cricket Mike Reeves * Humorous and Lesser Miscellaneous Awards Most
Ducks Geoff Carter - converted 7 starts into 4
in total Largest
Buffet Selection Adie Small Hogging
The Match Mike Reeves - scooped MOTM, Champagne and Buffet (v Blenheim Park CC #139) |
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Part VIII – Any Other Business Smaller humorous awards were handed out as above with
packets of condoms distributed for the new dads in the team. A cheese platter
was awarded for Steven Parkinson as a leaving present as he relocates from
Cholsey to Nottingham. And finally, a small monetary award was presented to
the winner of Jake’s e-mail competition (nearest guess as to how many e-mails
Jake had received from Spam during a certain period of time). I think Geoff
won this, and if he didn’t, someone else did. There is a request that the Captain and Fixtures
Secretary to try and explore earlier start times to games next year, and also
attention is drawn for everyone to take responsibilities after the game more seriously. Particularly when it comes to the
club kit bags and clearing up of the ground (including the pavilion).
So, a farewell to Pembroke College Sports Ground and may
we one day return, who knows? And here is to a successful 2008 campaign in
Kidlington next year! |
