Those Present:

Larry Brockwell (Chair), Sandy McNay (Secretary), Davy Douglas (Treasurer), Colin Taylor (Minutes Secretary) Duncan Muir, Dylan Muir, Chris Brockwell, Matt Moss, Alan Cringean, Kenny Wilson, Davey Armstrong, Derek Rankine, Tom Kennedy-Moffat, Jerry Goodin, Mark Wharton, Davey Fallas, Mike Lumb, Chris Lumb, Douglas Sloan

Apologies:

Andy Hutchinson, Ross Marscheider, Mark Pagan, Kim Bellwood, Derek Heron, Graeme McKirdle

1) Minutes of 2006 Annual General Meeting

These were accepted.

2) Correspondence Received

Sandy McNay reported that he had received a letter asking if we wish to enter a team in the Western Union Junior League, which he will pass to Davey Fallas and a letter asking for entries to the SCU Trophy.

3) Chairman’s Report

Larry Brockwell said that, in a season where the weather kept us in suspense, it had been an excellent effort by the First XI to retain First Division status, in spite of the difficulties in finding players. The Second XI had been relegated in spite of some excellent results but could look forward to next season in the hope of finding new players.

He felt there was a need to review the Friday night practice sessions and officials might want to consider how they could be improved.

The season had started traumatically because of the damage to the playing surface and he thanked Sandy McNay and Davey Armstrong for the large amount of the work they had done on the pitch following the resignation of the previous groundsman.

The overseas players had contributed greatly, and Larry extended thanks to those who had supported them in various ways.

Playing numbers have been dwindling and it is important to find new club members as it is against Western Union rules to field players who are non-members. There needed to be a resolution to the difficulty in obtaining subscriptions from some members.

The tea ladies had again been wonderful, if overstretched, and contributed towards achieving Larry’s vision of a family club.

He looked forward to an upturn in club fortunes both financially and in terms of player numbers.

4) Secretary’s Report

Sandy McNay said he endorsed the Chairman’s comments, adding that Duncan Muir had done a tremendous amount for the club. It was important to ensure that the Captains’ jobs were made easier.

He suggested wider publicity in the press, trial matches and inviting midweek players to indoor net practices to attract more players. The club would struggle unless the pool of players was increased.

5) Treasurer’s Report

Although there had been some useful sources of revenue, Davy Douglas reported there had been a deficit of £1164.88 for the year ending 30th September 2007.

He contrasted the high level of donations to the club (£2994.19), which had considerably outstripped the level of subscriptions (£955.50) and queried the ethics of this situation, which basically meant that a number of individuals are being subsidised by the generous few. The figures also excluded many donations in kind made by a small number of committed members, for which they had received no recompense.

Sandy McNay further expressed disappointment at the low level of ball sponsorships received and his offer to take over the organisation of ball sponsorships for next season was gratefully accepted.

Davy Douglas proposed charging a registration fee of £20 (£5 for juniors) before players would be allowed to play next season, and after considerable discussion about the best method of collecting the outstanding monies to the full subscription levels (£50 and £10 respectively), this proposal was accepted. Davy will draft a letter to send to prospective players.

He also mentioned that Dumfries Cricket Club had offered to loan the club a small number of players. It was agreed in principle that this offer was potentially acceptable, provided that they were clearly registered as St Michael’s players and normal selection procedures were not overturned.

However, Mike Lumb pointed out that any such players were unlikely to be of First XI standard and Kenny Wilson reminded members that Dumfries were looking towards an eventual amalgamation of the two clubs.

6) Captains’ Reports

6.1) First XI

For the First XI, Duncan Muir extended thanks for the support he had received from Jerry Goodin, club officials and all those who had helped the two overseas players, both of whom had inspired the team to vital victories along with older hands such as the returning Graeme McKirdle.

He felt that a good job had been done in repairing the damage to the square but was disappointed with the standard of training sessions. In his opinion they should be reduced to one a week.

He also felt that many players were playing poor shots in weekend games because of their participation in the Midweek League. He queried the role of the Selection Committee and noted that the standard of umpiring in Western Union fixtures had been appalling.

It had been an honour to be Captain, but Duncan wished he had had better players at his disposal. He ended by offering thanks to the two overseas players and all those who had helped with selection issues.

6.2) Second XI

In the absence of Kim Bellwood, Mike Lumb said that it had been a difficult year for the Second XI who finished second bottom of Division III. Key problems were the loss of both junior and often senior players to the First XI, Kim Bellwood’s injury and the lack of regular training and matches in a weather-affected season. However, the junior coaching system was producing some players who would soon be ready to step up to a higher standard of cricket.

He thought that better use could be made of the overseas players, and that the Club needed to look for new sources of funding.

7) Election of Office Bearers

The following were duly proposed and elected:

Position	Name
Chairman	Larry Brockwell
Secretary	Sandy McNay
Treasurer	Davy Douglas
Minutes Secretary	Colin Taylor
Match Secretary	Derek Rankine
First XI Co-Captain	Matty Moss
First XI Co-Captain	Derek Rankine
Second XI Captain	Mike Lumb
Second XI Vice Captain	Davey Fallas
Sunday XI Captain	Chris Brockwell

8) Any Other Business

· Duncan Muir announced that he was arranging a Dinner Dance to take place at the Easterbrook Hall on Friday 18th April and asked members to book tables for 8 or ideally 10 people.

· Arrangements for indoor nets were discussed and Davy Douglas will check the current rates.

· Sandy McNay suggested that a date should be set aside for a publicised trial game, and possible friendlies were mentioned.

13/12/07

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