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sorry Dan - I don't really agree with your reasoning about being anonymous. There is a tint of "teacher's sneak" about those who hide their identity. I honestly believe that people should have the courage of their convictions. I know from personal experience the problems that can arise from speaking one's mind - but I managed to get over it!!P.S. Stevie - I didn't name names but if you are from where I think you are we might be able to discuss this on Saturday night!!

I have to agree with some of the comments... Some players will always move clubs maybe more than once in their careers and why not do so? If they want to better themselves, or have a chance of winning something then fair play to them. How do we think these transfers are going to happen without someone from the other club contacting them.. is this so called 'tapping'?, no just someone in the club taking a proactive approcah to strengthening the squad at the club. Others will play at one club for their whole career and there is no doubt that is needed, but as long as there is a happy medium then i don't see the problem.

Paul I am afraid I am going to have to stand up for Stevo here. I retain my anonymity as it is a controversial subject. No matter what twang you put on it I do not have to agree with you or indeed respect you as a club hopper for money. If your main job was a cricket professional then that’s different or even a guy who moved club’s regularly not for money.
Which club do you think you are most affiliated with and fondly remembered? (please add to the list as I probably have missed quite a few (Waringstown, North Down, Laurelvale, Dunmurry, North west club, Lurgan, RUC....) Would it be the club that gave you most money? I know your answer will be along the lines of enjoying each club, broadened horizons etc but you are missing the point. Were you ‘tapped up’ in each move or did you seek out ‘paid’ moves?
Is Derek Heasley fondly remembered or pillared by the club members at Lisburn for example.
Amateur v professional v paid amateur

Ivan nothing wrong with Neil’s approach if no inducements were discussed.

Stevo, Stevo, Stevo!! You are the reason I don't give my full name & club on this forum. You come on here every now and again & talk rubbish. I do know what club Andy Kennedy is part off, just wanted others to know, as Ivan has a different view to recruitment as him. I see you didn't give any opinion on my other observation about Premier League clubs, maybe I do know what I am talking about now and again! And as Ivan has proved, Section One teams are at it too! As with regards cutting the mustard...it is quite easy to cut mustard, not that I really am a fan off it.

Andy, sorry for keeping my full name & club to myself, but I am sure you can understand why on this forum

I don't think the "retorts honed in on Muckamore because I voiced an opinion". The retorts probably honed in on Muckamore because Neil Gill our incoming skipper for 2012 looking at his squad for next season realised that there were a couple of good young players at Templepatrick who would have been very useful additions to his team. He asked the question they said no.

I don't see that as a slight on our coaching ability just Neil being pro active.
We have a very commendable Graham Cup record under Andy Gleghorne wining it 3 times I think , we played four teenagers most of last season in the Premier League and we have produced 5 players for 5 DIFFERENT Under 19 World Cup squads. Not many NCU clubs can say that.
Players will get asked to move up a league all the time. Look at Robert McKinley a dyed in the wool Larne lad where his father played for many years. By moving to Ballymena he has put himself in with a great chance of playing more and more under age representative cricket and probably in 15 years time he will be welcomed back to finish his career at Larne.
If players have real ambition they want to play at a higher level. That's the inducement. Gilly wasn't dangling any brown envelopes and I know Ballymena weren't offering Robert any other inducement than the opportunity to play at a higher level. I like Andy K prefer to say what has to be said and move on.
After seeing the draw for the Irish Junior Cup I think we can be grateful for the sat nav. Looks like a great competition allowing players to see cricket in practically every county in Ireland.

Stevo - i reiterate my point - some people talk a good game and don't even have the back-bone to give their own/real full name......i'm truly thankful for all the cricketers/ administrators/ umpires/ supporters throughout Ireland - whether one club men or like myself many numerous clubs (and i totally love the 'more clubs than Nicklaus' humour) because i delivered at every club and made a positive impact to Ulster & Irish Cricket (no doubt you've done the same and can speak as a peer?) - as long as i/they have the conviction to play with a real passion & skill - again the game is much bigger than us all - travel more and broaden your horizons....

Re -Dan

you really are a local cricketing officianado if you don't know who Andy K is or what Club he belongs to...!

You may hope he isn't standing for you next year...

Clearly you don't cut the mustard mate...

BTW Andy, I think those two guys you refer to came from my club - total numpties who'll be trying elsewhere next year no doubt - not welcome back at ours...!

Also RE - Paul McCrum, great player mate, but forgive me if I and many others take a large pinch of salt when you enter into this debate...!

PS - forgive the error - my compliments related to the History of the Senior "Cup". - Must get these old fingers loosened for next season!!!

Dan - unfortunately you do not have the "cohanes" to declare to which club YOU are connected nor indeed to state your name in full. In case you are in any doubt, I am a proud member of Muckamore but due to umpiring duties I no longer take an active part in running the club. I am content to leave that to those much younger than I with with new ideas. I am also a member of Randalstown rugby club - but that isn't an issue here. Andy Kennedy is my real name - no hiding here. Those who know me are already aware that what you see is what you get - there are no back doors with this guy so perhaps Dan will state his position. In relation to "tapping" I am aware of 2 young guys who were "induced" to move clubs before the 2011 season had started. One of them was an opening bowler who, towards the end of the season didn't bowl for the 1st XI even though he was on the field! As "unstarred" players they turned out for the 2nds so the question that might be asked is how did the move really enhance their careers? And to answer your question - yes I would be annoyed if a player who was coached & nurtured in my club was "tapped" by another. As so few schools are producing players the emphasis in maintaining survival for clubs is to invest in young guys.
P.S. - congratulations to all involved in the production of the History of the Senior Club. An excellent read - even if "that" cup final is recorded in detail!!

Richard C :

I just wondered if Andy K had the same view/opinions as the approach the club he belongs too, and if he didn't, did that annoy him. In my opinion, EVERY club in the Premier League approaches players, young & old, and if any say they don't, they are liars. Some clubs are more transparant in their dealings, maybe as they run wary of the taxman etc, but then they get chastised on such forums as we are on!!

There is a distinction between a player moving to play in a higher standard and a player moving as a result of inducements. This has come about due to the nomadic existence of some who have moved for money in the past in our largely amateur sport, whether that be payment for coaching or a perceived backhander. Unfortunately because of the fact players have previously moved for money most players (and particularly players moving to certain clubs) are automatically branded with this stick.
Maybe a solution is to get people who are moving to announce on this site that they are not moving as a result of inducements!. Silence can then be taken as a sign that they are moving for money.
If we look at our North West neighbours we can see what a mess this whole issue can cause.
I can sympathise with frustrations where a club coaches and mentors a young player only for those overly ambitious clubs to step in and due to financial clout bully the rest. It is after all little Northern Ireland cricket....hardly professional sportsmen or packed stadiums. More fool the clubs offering and the shallow people taking up these offers I say. As I said moving to play at a higher standard or betterment is completley different. Good luck to them.

Dan why does it matter what club Andy Kennedy belongs to? We have to assume everyone who comes onto the Forum speaks as an individual not as a club spokesman unless otherwise shown. Too many people like to brand opinions on clubs even if the person is speaking as an individual which is why many forumites prefer anonymity. Differences of opinion are healthy and need not be personal. Ivan McC voices an opinion and almost immediately the retort hones in on several Muckamore players. That's wrong. I suspect the biggest "poachers" never come near Forums!

Andy K :

Which club are you affiliated with, out of a matter of interest? And if you are connected to a club, are you still invloved with the running of that club?

the "tapping" issue raises its head again and there will be as many opinions as "posters". I can appreciate the anger felt by clubs who have spent time & money in developing & nurturing talent only to see the "poaching" that goes on. One way to resolve the situation would be for a NCU ruling that any approaches must be made through the club that holds the players registration. This may entail a financial recompense to the club itself as well as to the "tapee". It is always interesting to see postings on here about the "youth policy" of particular clubs and yet the "tapping" goes on. But then no rep of any club has ever come on here and confirmed that they have been doing it. In fact it is the usual denial along the lines of "we as a club have never offered any inducement to anyone" but "the dogs in the street know who is at it".

Transfers, head-hunting, tapping-up, poaching, business plans, vision all are part of a desire/ambition to improve whether in business, life or sport - at the end of the day each individual has the right to say yes or no to the offer - i'm firmly in Ivan's corner as this is how it is, has been and always will be - Plan B - why not become best practice in these areas and decide your own destiny & marketability (if that is your desire)............NB the skill levels and effort/discipline required are great & will deter many who confuse 'capability & ambition'! One club or many clubs? - it's all about performing on the field wherever one plays and not talking a good game as many do (tho entitled to do so) - that's solely the individual's prerogative and from experience i suggest the overall love & loyalty is to the great game of Cricket - thankfully much bigger than all of us and always will be. However we have played/play, will challenge us, shape us, broaden our horizons and help us develop as humans and cricketers - forging lifetime friendships Provincially & Globally through camraderie - priceless.