Forum

How many people are realistically going to go to Stormont to watch. I know I'd rather play for my club that Saturday rather than going over to lifeless Stormont - In fact I'd rather go shopping with the Mrs! Surely the NCU need to re-think this, let clubs who want to play play that Saturday. There's 2 re-arrangements for clubs already and the season hasn't even started yet! Definitely well played NCU! I'm sure the clubs who are due to play Lurgan and Ballymena (don't play Sundays) are delighted!

Just looked at the NCU site and I see they've made the Saturday of the Pakistan a closed day, well played NCU!

Re Ireland vs Pakistan

Surely moving the game from Friday to Saturday isn't a very good move, I know it had something to do with Pakistans travel plans but I wouldn't see too big a crowd on the Saturday as a lot of people who would have been going will be playing for their club sides instead?? Not such good work Cricket Ireland

The good news seems to be that for school groups for the Ireland vs Pakistan game, the pupils get free with a teacher. How pleasing it is to see a pricing and ticketing approach that will encourage young guys to come and watch. Well done Cricket Ireland! Any previous annoyance is willingly taken back.

Just looking at the prices for the Ireland Pakistan match on Saturday 28th May. Am i right in thinking that if i take a group of school boys it will cost £6 for those under 16 and £25 for over 16? hmmm. I wonder if many of the older boys will go. Please tell me I'm wrong about this.

I see Carrickfergus are the latest team to be awarded the Cricket Ireland/Clubmark NI Club Accreditation. Well done, quite an achievement from what I understand.
Who are the other 3 - is is North Down, Derriaghy and Templepatrick?

A mighty match today India v Pakistan, would like to see it all come good for Afridi & his team and take down the mighty Indians for a change.... give their beleaguered cricket loving public a great tonic back in their home land !

Picked up on a great gaff on the radio just now, Agnew was commenting on the intense security surrounding this match to his commentating colleague Vic Marks.

He said " Every single person has been practically intimately searched before entering the stadium today " "

Were-upon Marks innocently retorted,

" Yes.. they leave no 'stone' unturned "

Classic entertainment, some material maybe for your speech Andy ?

Final call for NIACUS Annual Dinner on Friday 8th April 2011 at the La Mon Country House Hotel. Tickets priced at £30. Would appeal to clubs and players to come along and support us. We support you during the season and you would be most welcome to come along. Our guest speakers are Andy Kennedy who will provide us with some of his wisdom and Niall Crozier who is the rugby correspondent for the Belfast Telegraph and also a comedian. Tickets can be obtained from any member of our Executive Committee.

Andy

NCU Bye Laws:
(o) Players’ clothing shall be predominantly white.
In the Challenge Cup matches between Premier League clubs shall be played in coloured clothing.
Other matches in the Challenge Cup may be played in coloured clothing if both teams agree.

Full updated NCU Bye Laws for 2011 at this link:
http://www.northerncricketunion.org/database/thencu/Bye-Laws (2011).pdf

POTENTIAL SPONSORS , i personally have passed on some details off sponsors an id advise anyone to do the same as the NCU cant cover every possibility an instead knocking them lets try help as its all for the game cricket we love an lets hope that between us all we can much needed cash put into nothern cricket union. ps not often i agree with andy but he is right. pps anyone no if KP going play in IPL or is he being told rest get fit for HIS COUNTRY and forth coming test series ?

re the debate on coloured clothing and sponsorship of the Challenge Cup surely the whole debate becomes academic should a Section 1 side progress to the Final - my understanding of the by-law is that coloured clothing only come into play when 2 Premier sides come together.

Re: NCU Senior Cup
I have to agree that it is very bad that the NCU senior cup goes into a 2nd season with no sponsor. This is the top prize in the local game - ok times are difficult for companies regarding money.
However, its seems Wayne Horwood had a client that was keen to know more. Why did the sponsorship team not approach this client to see if the client would be interested? Even if the client was told it may only be available in 'X' years - or at least keep the client "on file" for when it may be up.

Having said all this, it is hard to believe with all the contacts, customers and clients available through all the NCU club members - we cannot find one suitable candidate that would take the opportunity for even a year or 2.
Is the amount too high for some?
Could a lower figure be offered or a shorter contract - after all times are hard!
Surely 10% less is better than no sponsorship at all.
Maybe its an idea for the NCU to ask Wayne if his client is still interested and if possible get a meeting set up with his client.

Only an few ideas, but I am sure the NCU are doing the best they can to secure the best deals.

Re: Neal/Challenge Cup Sponsorship, etc.

I don't think there is a coincidence. The Ulster Bank League has been sponsored by Ulster Bank for a number of years and is played in white clothing and with a red ball!
The same applies to the majority of cups below the challenge cup - most are sponsored and have been for a number of years and matches are played in white clothing with red balls.
In fact the two major NCU competitions that are not sponsored (Challenge and Twenty20 Cups) are both played in coloured clothing with white balls and black sightscreens. So this would not seem to be the main attraction to get sponsors on board.
Discuss!

Is there an coincidence in the fact that the Challenge Cup can get so close to being sponsored and the fact that there is a bit more marketability due to the "cosmetic" side to the competition.

Would a clothing company not be approached to subsdise kitting out the leagues while still getting money in from the clubs from buying the gear. Their name would be all over the league?? Dont know if that is viable or not.

No problem with that William..fare enough comment.

I agree with Gordan, especially with the 2nd teams and so on etc.
I work nite-shifts and need that extra hour or so in bed before a hard but always enjoyable Saturday day's cricket.

And I think it's good sense to hold off as well to 1pm (if that's the reason), to let school players play their morning cricket and then later to join their senior colleagues at their respective clubs to play again.......

....after all aren't they the 'life-blood' of local cricket ??