Forum

complete....

i never said anything about money, my example of paul was this; he has played for many clubs and ok money was involved (I am guessing)but do u not think he has taken away many good playing memories and made many friends and connections throughout these clubs?

And when did I question Kyle? yea mcallen is an example of a player who left his club to win medals and play with a top team (or so i would assume, i didnt know his situation) but thats my point, whats wrong with that! Some people on this forum would suggest he should have stayed with Cliftonville instead of chasing personal goals as with the Stirlings.

I just feel that there is a lot of biterness on this forum towards guys who choose to play elsewere, if we return to the start of this debate some youngsters let their club to play a higher level of cricket, what is wrong with that!

Feels as this debate is going round in circles!

Alan/Bobby

You won`t stop players moving but where do see the overall STANDARD of cricket within the NCU in a few years if clubs rely on tapping/poaching as their main method of "developing" their clubs.
Unfortunately the "Manchester City/Chelsea " approach doesn`t do anything for overall NCU Cricket DEVELOPMENT.

re - "Bobby" - very easy to reply when no-one knows who you are !

Not getting involved in a slanging match on line but just wanted to point out that I didn't say I would brand a young player with tremendous ability as "dis-loyal" if he left to join a bigger club !
We have some very talented kids at Holywood who as Simon says have already been picked up by the system - if in years to come they have to in order to further their career so be it - I will regret it but accept it. I just hope that they do it for the right reasons and not for driving lessons/free holidays etc etc

I also said it was my opinion and like everyone else I'm entitled to that !

Re-Bobby

Yes...I'ts called loyalty

Bobby, what is the "NCU transfer policy?"
Surely there is no policy and players can come and go as they like?
We can't blame the NCU for allowing transfers.
What this debate has proved is that we are all different and some are more different than others.

According to Mr Shannon and others logic if a section 2 club produce an outstanding young cricketer who has the obvious potential to play at premier league level he will be branded disloyal if he leaves. Hardly the recipe for producing Ireland cricketers of the future. The last post was right there are not too many clubs who are solely made up of "clubmen". I can only presume some of you want an end to the NCU transfer policy, this may resolve the issue for once and for all.

Simon - you are so right pal...

Alan - wise up -Paul McCrum and Derek Heasley have certainly enjoyed the money FGS. - They could hold a jumble sale of track suit tops between them - totally laughable comment....To my knowledge KMcM has never done it for the money and remains one of the top blokes in Irish Cricket

Lee,
They're still playing.

Simon

Yea players like Kyle, Andy White and Derek heasley among others are lost to the game, were did they go?

First off is a player not free to play at whatever club he chooses? Fair enough if u choose to stay at the same club all your life but in my opinion if u move club u make new friends and share in the success of new teammates. Do you think someone like Paul Mccrum hasnt enjoyed his success throughout the clubs he has played at?

WAR, have a look at the Saintfield books are you telling me a few of your senior members have all been Saintfield men their entire careers and that you would refuse a talented young player from another club?

The way i see it some guys are clubmen others just want to play cricket no matter what team they are playing in, whats wrong with that!

Re:Springtime and all the migrating players

Interesting to read all the comments on players transfers/taps/poaches etc.....its all be said before.

The world of cricket must be in disarray at the thought of all this player movement around the NCU clubs.

I suspect deluded self importance and self interest/preservation of clubs is more to the fore than development of the skills of CRICKET within many NCU clubs AND players.

Well said Michael Shannon.
I have always thought that players who move clubs become nomads, and are lost to the game. Those who stay become allicadoos, and keep clubs going, and this is vital - especially for the smaller clubs. You are a shining example to others and are a credit to your club and the game.
If a small club does produce a talented youngster, he / she will be picked up at an early age by the system, and gain representative experience which takes them away from the club . However, there is nothing to stop them helping those who helped them, unless of course they have a purely individual ambition and have no wish to be part of a team.
On a personal note, the friendships forged playing for one team mean far more now to me than long forgotten achievements on the field.

Nile there will always be 2nd class if you deem 1st class to be the best. Down the years this was something associated more with North than any other club. They had the best ground, the most affluent club, the history, the big membership, the status-everything. Look at the number of players over the years who moved to North. They weren't poached, they just went. They wanted something better and in many cases that didn't involve playing for the 1sts. And I should add that even within the team there were differences in status. Reading the history of some clubs this was also evident elsewhere. Is it self-preserving? No, more a case of human nature. As for sponsors you get them with a begging bowl these days and it doesn't matter what class you are in.

Re-Michael Shannon

I would just like to agree with Michael Shannon, problem is that unlike him, there are too many specialist fielders and journey men who'd rather be rolled over to have their belly tickled than back their mates.

Good points Michael and Nile and I can't argue with either because they are solid. There will always be differences of opinion and this forum is a good platform for healthy debate and comment. Loyalty remains Michael, and there's no better example than yourself. You could have played anywhere mate!
On another note Ian Botham certainly needs to understand his roots better after saying "Northern Ireland is part of England" and also "I don't know the rules for qualification but I'm sure the two boards have an agreement in place."
He must be joking!