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[OwzatOllie]

So here's the deal, I've played at the same club now for nearly 6 seasons but I'm getting more and more convinced that I'm not wanted there.  Main reason being I prefer to play 3rd XI cricket over 2nd XI.  This is because I enjoy playing that standard a lot more and in the 2s I really struggle to get any runs.  I am probably good enough deep down somewhere but if I'm giving up my Saturdays I at least want to get some enjoyment out of them.   

Last week I thought id be a good club man and step up to the 2s as they were one short, as I expected I failed with the bat as I was fired by the ump and I struggled with the ball.  I got asked to play 2s this Saturday but I politely declined as I said I don't enjoy it and it was mainly to do the club a favour as it cost me my enjoyment of a game.

This is where it's all gone silly.  The club chairman plays in the 2s but is injured this week so he's going down with the 1sts to Lydney to score, which whilst he posted that on the Facebook group page has publicly labelled me as someone who is 'not a good club man'. Saying that I might want to take this onboard and put the badge first.  Yet I've done my bit of coaching with under 13s when I can, scored for them on a Sunday morning, regripped about 20 bats for the youth teams. I'm the online manager for my club also, and I've helped with a couple of community projects to help boost our image in the local community. 

Rather hacked off that i do my bit for the club outside of the game, yet when I comes to a Saturday I get labelled something like that.  Just unsure as to where I actually stand with my club now?  Sorry it's an essay but it's bothered me so I had to share and get the opinions of others

Cheers


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[Buzz]

pretty poor show that the chairman has put a comment like that in the public domain.

[joeljonno]

I would take a screen shot and see what club/league rules are and put a complaint in.

I would then move clubs at the same time.

[FvanN]

I would reply on facebook informing him that he is a prat and then spend the rest of today looking for a new club. You don't need to be at a club like that. 

[Warneymonster]

It's out of order to do it so publicly. We have major issue at our club with people wanting to play in certain teams for various reasons, I fully accept your reasons as enjoyment is why we are playing. If I were you I would approach the selection committee and explain why.

We have issues that people want to play in the 4's every week instead of 2's or 3's (they are more than good enough) because they get to open the batting and bowling. We had someone in the 2's averaging 90 over the first 7 or 8 games but refuse to play 1's for no other reason than he loves slapping around slow bowling


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[Johnny]

If they want you in the 2's though, you must be the best candidate. What's the alternative? Picking a poorer player who might also feel their day is ruined?

Clubs should pick players for their teams in order of merit. In my opinion you should be prepared to step up and play 2's as and when required

[trypewriter]

I do have a lot of sympathy, but at least you got to bat and bowl. Normally when someone gets promoted they just plug a gap in the field all day.

[OwzatOllie]

I am grateful I got a bat and a bowl but at the same time I've played for the 2s in the past and I've batted at 8, bowled 5 overs and fielded at fine leg all day, not my ideal Saturday.

Not going to lie part of me doesn't want to play today even though I am in the 3rd XI

Part of me just wants to call it quits for good!


What's tater ey?

[petehosk]

They shouldn't rely on one person to step up each time!
The should try to make people from the 3rds take turns so its not just one person each time!
It sounds like they are picking in you as you are helpful and normally step up to volunteer for things (such as coaching, scoring, etc!) So they see you as the go-to person to be relied on?
Sometimes volunteering for things earmarks you as this! And when you refuse to step up, they feel let down (and if feeling particularly bitter may even put a comment on the group Facebook!!)
I think you need to firstly have a pint with the Chairman and make your feelings known!
If he understands that you are happy to help doing most tasks, and are ok to step up to the 2nds every so often, BUT you are not happy to step up for the 2nds all the time. Explain that playing for the 3rds is your real pleasure and why you don't enjoy playing for the 2nds as much!
If he listens and appreciates this, and takes it on board then he should ask others to step up too!
BUT if he still continues to have the same attitude that he sees you letting the club down, then you will know that its time to look for another club! There are so many clubs struggling for players that you shouldn't have any problem finding one suitable!

[Cumbrian Pete]

We have a system at our club where everyone makes themselves available for selection for the club as a whole (1st and 2nd team) via the Pitchero website and then the selectors pick what they feel is the best available 11 players for the first team.  Anyone who refuses to play for the first team when selected is then not selected for the second team either that week.  Our club's position is that the best possible first team should be put out every week and that everyone should step up when asked to do so.  However, the batter or bowler called up gets to bat or bowl in the same slot he does for the second team.

Generally speaking, I agree with that  as it stops first and second team being two completely different cliques and, although I sympathise with someone who is constantly asked to step up, if that is the club you want to play for then I think you should step up.  The alternative is to find another club who allow players to stay in the team they want to play for.

In practice, it is unusual for the same person to be constantly asked to step up as the first team requirements for every game are different and there is usually more than one candidate who can step up and fill a batting, bowling or all rounder slot.

I have to say I disagree with the way the Chairman has handled it though, he should have made it a private discussion.

[FattusCattus]

Disgraceful by the chairman, you should tell him so publicly too.

Play today and swiftly find another club. Play for enjoyment at a standard you feel comfortable at - it is a leisure activity after all!

[Seniorplayer]

Good clubmen can and do get taken for granted when they speak out or decline to do something what they do and have done for the club becomes conveniently forgotten and they become wrongly labelled by others. Even though the chairmans actions were quite wrong and you are feeling not wanted I would not leave just yet I would as previously suggested discuss your reasons for declining with the appropriate person(s) after all you need to enjoy playing and you are paying subs to play. What you could do is stop giving the club your time with the youth team on line management community projects etc then there will be a realization regarding what a good clubman they will lose should you decide to leave the club.

[uknsaunders]

I would have a chat with a friend you can trust within the club and if he agrees the chairman was out of order, then approach the club committee and make a complaint. I am not saying you are in the wrong but it always helps to get another person's thought before you take it further. Give the committee the chance to sort it out and make it clear you are after a written apology, since he insulted you publicly. Start looking for another club as well as he doesn't sound like the guy who says sorry very often.

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[trypewriter]

It might be worth suggesting that there are some 3d teamers who are gagging to step up (presuming there are some) - mention developing younger players etc.

[Bulldog Cricket]

Play where you are picked.