2006 will be secretary's last season
by Paul Barker, 21st November 2005

The bombshell that took everyone by surprise at the Bassetlaw Cricket League A.G.M. came right at the very end of Honarary Secretary’s Richard Martin’s report on behalf of the Management Committee when he announced that 2006 would be his last in the post. As he stated Mr. Martin has served on the committee for 32 years with twenty of them being in his current capacity. The league face one hell of a task to replace someone who has served the Management Committee with such distinction and diligence over such a long time.

Mr. Alan Bennett (President) opened the meeting by welcoming everyone and then asked Richard Martin to read out the roll call. Only Basford Mill, Clipstone, Marshalls, Todwick, Wadworth, West Indian Cavaliers and Weston were absent and these seven clubs now face a fine of £20.00 for being absent. This was followed by Mr. Martin’s report on behalf of the Management Committee.

Mr. Peter Neale (Honarary Treasurer) then read out his financial report and once again the League’s finances appear to be in a rather healthy state. However as Mr. Neale pointed out there were circumstances which would not be repeated such as the fee which was paid to the speaker at the Annual Dinner which was kindly donated by the retiring president and perhaps the picture was not quite as bright as it looked.

Richard Martin then introduced the new president Mr. Geoff Holden who as he said ‘Is no stranger to anyone’. Mr. Holden was Umpires Appointment Secretary for 16 years and certainly did a brilliant job in this most demanding of positions.

The new vice-president is to be Mr. Malcolm Daniels who as Mr. Martin said started his cricketing career with Langwith, before moving to Creswell and finishing at Mansfield Hosiery Mills where he is still involved now. He has always been a fine sportsman and we are delighted to have him on board said Mr. Martin.

Chris Revill of Mansfield & Pleasley paid glowing tributes to messrs. Alan Bennett (Retiring President) plus David Edmunds and Joe Goodman who have retired from the Management Committee after several years of dedicated service. Tribute was also paid to John Leaning the Umpires Appointment Secretary who is resigning from his post as Division 6 – 10 statistician.

The Annual Dinner and Prize Distribution will be held at the Masonic Hall, Worksop on Saturday 1 st April. Each club will be issued with the statutory two tickets and applications for extras will be dealt with in strict rotation.

The fixtures will be made by the Honorary Fixture Secretary, Mr. Bev. Norris and the final item on the agenda brought forward a heartfelt plea from the League Chairman Mr. Jim Garton asking for clubs to be more vigilant in their search to add to the umpires rota. John Heaman on behalf of the Umpires Association told the meeting that people who had never played the game could umpire and several have made it right through to the very top who haven’t been players.

He urged people not to be put off because they hadn’t played and quoted two cases of current umpires in the league who were on their way up the ladder and neither had played the game. Just attend the training courses and have a go was the message from Mr. Heaman, ‘You may very well find that you enjoy it’.

Annual Report of the Management Committee | Rule changes for 2006