New Board Will Be Good News For Grassroots (22 Nov 1995)

Electronic Telegraph Wednesday 22 November 1995

New board will be good news for grassroots

Charles Randall reveals the plan that will change the face of cricket

THE emergent England Cricket Board Ltd should mean very good news indeed for the game's grassroots when the Test and County Cricket Board set-up is replaced on Jan 1.

Although documents about the proposed England Cricket Board are marked 'confidential', and Lord's have decreed that details of the move that will change the face of the game forever are not to be aired in the media, The Daily Telegraph has gained an exclusive preview and can reveal some of the plans.

John Major, in particular, should be beaming with delight because Huntingdonshire, so supportive of youth cricket in the Prime Minister's constituency, have been given a vote, even without a team in the minor county championship, and they will gain access to a massive central grant.

But why the TCCB secrecy? After plans were outlined last May, the full legally drafted details filtered through only two weeks ago, to be expressly excluded from general circulation.

Each recipient - whether county or organisation - was given only eight days to file comments, with little or no time to inform the rank and file. The ordinary cricket follower was left in the dark.

The whole governing set-up will be given a leaner, fitter look to replace the TCCB and the National Cricket Association

An indignant Lord Howell last week called for a halt until the "fullest consultation" had taken place with the game at all levels.

The former Labour government minister said: "The period of eight days being offered by the TCCB from the date of publication is an outrage."

David Graveney, representing the professional county cricketers, expressed his disappointment that the players themselves had been given no chance to comment on what was a "momentous" change.

A TCCB official confirmed that secrecy had been a deliberate policy. "We don't want the press helping people make up their minds," he said.

"We don't expect too much reaction from the amateur game because they've got most to gain."

The weighty documents in circulation show that the whole governing set-up will be given a leaner, fitter look to replace the TCCB and the National Cricket Association, who administer the recreational side. There is to be a transitional period of one year.

Under the proposals, there will be a new management board of 11 directors, elected by the 39 members of the company. The voters include every English county except Rutland.

This is a major improvement on the existing system of 20 members, which comprises the professional 18, MCC and a solitary vote for the whole of the minor counties and grassroots sector.

The Changes

* ECB to be formed as limited company (with no share capital) on Jan 1, 1996.

* Total of 39 voting members; comprising 18 championship counties, 19 minor counties (excluding Wales Minors, who are to amalgamate with Glamorgan off-field), Huntingdonshire, MCC.

* All members have an 'A' vote; professional counties and MCC have additional more powerful 'B' vote.

* Management board to have 11 directors (including salaried chief executive).

* Directors to be elected: three by all members (by 'A' votes), six by professional counties & MCC only (by 'B' votes), one by MCC only, one (chief executive) by those 10 elected directors.

* Six B-vote directors to include board chairman, treasurer and chairman of cricket committee.

* All directors elected for one year, except chairman (two years), treasurer (two years), chief executive (by contract), MCC man (MCC arrangement).

* Every county must form themselves into single body, a 'board', to administer cricket, development and funding.

* Management's effective powers: to govern first-class game, run England's Test cricket, establish committees as seen fit (probably on existing lines), enter into contracts, generate funds and distribute them.

* Management restrictions: Changes to first-class competition can only be made if the professional counties do not object within 21 days - simple 'B' vote majority would be required.

No funds can be distributed unless professional counties and MCC receive their 'base sum', a guaranteed income each year, as decided to annual meetings.

* Fundamental changes to powers and constitution can be made by three-quarter majority of A and B votes combined.

Source :: The Electronic Telegraph