The Season starts HERE with a look back at last year
By Grockle et al
April 5 2013
Andy Nash will publish 'A Year in the Life of SCCC' to mark the start of the season in about a weeks time. I've had the chance to have a look and thought, also as a preview to Somerset's start to the 2013 campaign, that his views on the club's relationship with this site were worth a read. 'We're all in it together' as some band in the deep and distant past sang... Enjoy and good luck with the publication Mr Nash. Let's all hope it brings in loads of money for it's charitable aim.
Reproduced with the permission of and thanks to the author of "A Year in the life of SCCC"
"Grockles
As an antidote to more Jubilee stuff I have a casual look at the latest on grockles.com
They are passionate Somerset fans and cricket enthusiasts who exchange their views on
a site. Sites such as this have their detractors because protected by a veil of anonymity posts can be inappropriate, sometimes rude and on occasions downright libellous. It is a fact of life that people in public roles and positions get abused and some people must be able to surprise even themselves at just how much bile they can muster.
Grockles I'm very glad to say is an exception to the rule and I think they are an exemplar of how such sites could and frankly should be run. The site is characterised by banter and interesting comments and some very perceptive and thought-provoking points. The analysis can also be very well-researched and would make professionals like The Analyst doff his cap. The site is well moderated - not an easy role - and as a result it is a force for good for cricket at Somerset and I'm relieved that the Club doesn't find itself in a hostile stand-off as a great many professional sports clubs do. I respect their views and as a ginger group in our midst they have a real role and contribution to make. It's very plain to any reader that they are first and foremost genuine Somerset fans and their emotions ebb and flow along with our fortunes.
They have made some interesting comments about Notts under an article entitled "The
Bridge of Sighs" and like me have a feeling in their bones that we will win today and finally get our CB40 campaign on track.
It wasn't to be and the "Bridge of Sighs" turned out to be right. Our total of 209 never looked like enough and so it proved. Our fourth consecutive defeat has all but extinguished our CB40 campaign as only the three divisions' leaders and the best second placed County compete in the semi-finals. A strong argument I've always maintained for Quarter-finals as once Counties are effectively beyond hope of semi-final slot cricket managers, coaches and captains almost inevitably decide it is better to rest key players and focus on the competitions where the opportunity of a trophy remains. Once this happens the quality of the cricket and intensity of competition begins to fade and the supporters can be left feeling a little short-changed."
The objective of the site was always to be a critical friend to the club whenever possible but also a place for debate and comment when that comment was necessary. We are lucky to be on such good terms with our club but that I do believe personally is because we all want what is best for the club we all put so much time into. It is good to seee that members of the club see us as such and are glad we exist rather than feeling the pain of our presence in their collective posterior.
We call a Somerset spade a Somerset spade and we ask informed questions that need answering by someone whether we are there or not. Because of that we can be proud that we exist and we can look forward as one unit, club based and independent, knowing we all want the same for the county and are working towards getting that piece of silverware we all want to see at Taunton. Long may that remain the case but as the independent voice here Andy... did it have to be Mr Archer? A very minor point. It really is a good read.
Buy the book people. ALL the receipts are going to The Clowance CharitableTrust promoting youth cricket in the South West. On we go. Durham look out. Somerset are on their way!!
"Cry 'Havoc' and let slip the dogs of cricket"
(with apologies to the Bard)
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:04:11:07:00:48 by Grockle.
The relationship between the club and this site seems to have change since Mr
was at the club.However, I do not regard his choice of words in labeling the contributors to the site as being a "Ginger group" to be at all accurate - at least as far as my understanding of the term is concerned.
Anyway, good for him in publishing the book, and I look forward to obtaining a copy in due course.
To be fair to Mr
Mike. I'm sure that some of it was because he didn't understand or hold with this new 'interweb' palaver rather than anything specifically conscious. Once he had the hang of it he was quite amusing and forthcoming on it... until he lost interest in it and the machinations of the club.
Wonder how the old boy is now?
was a good man, who always put the interests of the Club and its members before everything else.
I hope he is still keeping a watchful eye on the ground at Seaton C.C. and personally wish him well.
I know Deacon isn't the club in toto but to have the Chairman see genuine value in such a website is Good!