Ex Prez
Active Member
Ex Pres - your thoughts on the punishment handed to Mill Park. Do you think that being demoted to B grade where they will be competitive and probably play finals is a fair penalty? Surely staying in Money Shield, maybe a financial sanction put on hold, placed over their head, and a points penalty, ensuring that they do not play finals for the next 2 seasons would be a better option. This would also leave them playing against other 1st XI's, and with Hurstbridge forced up, (a must) we would have the 16 teams needed to form the 2 groups and move forward.
I am not up to speed on all of the facts with Mill Park. But from what i have heard, they have had several financial sanctions imposed on them in the past, yet their behaviour hasnt improved.
So if they keep paying the fines and not improving - where do you go? You have to make a stand sometime or else it continues.
As i said I am not 100% aware of all the history or the details of most recent events, but if what i have heard is true, over a sustained period of time, then i think they are lucky to be still in the DVCA.
But again I stress I have only heard 3rd hand rumours - maybe not facts.
Maybe dropping them from 'A' grade cricket might be the best sanction. It will make it hard for them to recruit to go back up? Then again do you reward a clubs poor performance by allowing them to win games in a lower grade? If they perceive they have no chnace of going back up, does this have the potential to make their behaviour worse?
Without knowing all of the facts it is a hard one, but in terms of the comp structure - i believe all teams 1st XI should be in BS or MS. Whether or not you re-introduce the reserve grades or let the clubs fight it out with promo relegation to ensure their 2's are strong, I am not too sure on.
If we or someones elses 2nd XI need to go up to fill the 16th place until another 1st XI comes along, then so be it.