Cricket in Europe

[Ian Gorton]

Hi All,
I met the Estonia team in a bar in Tallinn 2 weeks ago. They told me about this tournament in Wales.
On Monday my wife and I treavelled from our home in Birmingham to come and support the Estonian team and to see the standards of the other nations. I can honestly say I was surprised by the standards of the "non-cricketing nations". I hope the respective governments of the countries and the ICC will give you all the support that is needed to help increase the standard of cricket across Europe. You never know one day there could be more than one "Test Playing Nation" in Europe.
I would also like to add my congratulations to Carmel CC on there excellent organisation of the competition and there guts to hold this type of Tournament.
My wife and I will be returning to Carmel on Sunday to watch the two games and hopefully an Estonian win in the final.
I will be a very keen observer of cricket in Europe in the future and would like to wish all nations playing in this tournament and those not in this tournament all the best for the future.

[Charlie Bass]

Ian. As chairman of the club I am extremely grateful for you comments of support, they put into words the whole ethos of what we as a club wanted to do with this tournament both this year and hopefully with the support form appropriate bodies for years going forward. As facilities in other nations improve then I would love to see this tournament rotate through Europe.

See you on Sunday.

[Robert Dumancic]

Doees anybody know why Poland changed their name?

[Ian Gorton]

Sorry Robert I don't.

[Ian Gorton]

Charlie, I support everything you are trying to do and are doing and I am already looking forward to next years competition so much so that as soon as the dates are announced I will book a week off work.. If there is anything I can help with please don't hesitate to ask. I have spoken to our local cricket board and they are prepared to let us use there name and maybe we can enter a team next year so there will be an English representative side if that is acceptable. I also spoke to the ECB yesterday and they are hopefull of doing a post tournament write up. I hope I am not treading on anyones toes.

[James]

Hi Ian,
Not sure if we've met, because if you've read my profile, you know I've been out of the game on crutches this season. However, Tim let me know that we've got some support ...in more ways than one - thanks very much for the kit (as kitman this season, you've really helped me out!). I'm looking forward to getting back on my feet and using the Stac bat next season!

One other thing that you can possibly do for us, and we'll have to hook up after the event, is to possibly write a small letter to the Estonian Press or Sports Minister over here in Tallinn. I'm sure the other European nations represented at Carmel will agree with me, that most of the people in their respectives cities in Poland, Russia etc think that cricket is just a crazy, little known sport played by Englishmen! It would really make them sit up and notice if they recieved a letter from the UK praising the standard of cricket played over the past 7 days!

Thanks again for your support, and you're more than welcome over in Tallinn again. If I get us a new garment of kit made - you'll be first on the list!

James

[Ian Gorton]

Hi James,
No I don't think we have met. The kit is no problem at all in fact there could be a few more items on the way this weekend!! I am visiting a friend of mine at lunch time who just happens to own a sport shop!! I have already acquired a few boxes and batting gloves that were in the lost property at our club! They aren't lost anymore! lol As far as writing to the press and the sports minister thats no problem at all just let me have there addresses and it will be done and even better if Estonia win the trophy.
We are staying over night on Sunday to have a few drinks with the lads after the game.
Lets hope its celebratory drinks.
If there is anything I can help with in the future please don't be afraid to ask.

[James]

Excellent news. Andres Burget is our media man - so I suggest you tell him you've been talking to me online and see what he thinks of the idea.
Boxes are just what we need - especially with Anil in the team ;)
I'm off on hols on Saturday - so make sure Tim or Gleb sends me a text with the good news (confident of an Estonian victory aren't I?) lol.
Enjoy the weekend - don't let JB get too drunk! Down Down Down Down.....!!

[Ian Gorton]

I noticed you were a bit short of them! lol Will speak to Andres. Enjoy your break.

[Charlie Bass]

Robert Dumancic said:

Doees anybody know why Poland changed their name?

The reason for the name changed was due to the players from Poland being unable to come over at the last minute. As such most of the players had to be pulled in from across the UK, France, Canada therefore the team could not be represented as "Poland" it would have (and has in some cases) given the wrong impression. Hopefully the PCA will be able to send a side next year. Charlie Bass

[Charlie Bass]

Ian Gorton said:

Charlie, I support everything you are trying to do and are doing and I am already looking forward to next years competition so much so that as soon as the dates are announced I will book a week off work.. If there is anything I can help with please don't hesitate to ask. I have spoken to our local cricket board and they are prepared to let us use there name and maybe we can enter a team next year so there will be an English representative side if that is acceptable. I also spoke to the ECB yesterday and they are hopefull of doing a post tournament write up. I hope I am not treading on anyones toes.

Ian, that's a great idea lets have a chat on Sunday and I will give you the background on went it took in organising this tournament I would welcome the support and opportunity to explore how we can work together on this. (PS I am English so would I qualify in your representative side!!)

[Charlie Bass]

James said:

Hi Ian,
Not sure if we've met, because if you've read my profile, you know I've been out of the game on crutches this season. However, Tim let me know that we've got some support ...in more ways than one - thanks very much for the kit (as kitman this season, you've really helped me out!). I'm looking forward to getting back on my feet and using the Stac bat next season!

One other thing that you can possibly do for us, and we'll have to hook up after the event, is to possibly write a small letter to the Estonian Press or Sports Minister over here in Tallinn. I'm sure the other European nations represented at Carmel will agree with me, that most of the people in their respectives cities in Poland, Russia etc think that cricket is just a crazy, little known sport played by Englishmen! It would really make them sit up and notice if they recieved a letter from the UK praising the standard of cricket played over the past 7 days!

Thanks again for your support, and you're more than welcome over in Tallinn again. If I get us a new garment of kit made - you'll be first on the list!

James

James, if there is anything we can do as a club to help let us know, if you have the contact details of the people you would like us to write to or contact let me know. I will also come back and ask you to do the same at our end to get additional support for this from some of the sporting and government bodies over hear. Charlie Bass

[James]

Charlie Bass said:

James said:

Hi Ian,
Not sure if we've met, because if you've read my profile, you know I've been out of the game on crutches this season. However, Tim let me know that we've got some support ...in more ways than one - thanks very much for the kit (as kitman this season, you've really helped me out!). I'm looking forward to getting back on my feet and using the Stac bat next season!

One other thing that you can possibly do for us, and we'll have to hook up after the event, is to possibly write a small letter to the Estonian Press or Sports Minister over here in Tallinn. I'm sure the other European nations represented at Carmel will agree with me, that most of the people in their respectives cities in Poland, Russia etc think that cricket is just a crazy, little known sport played by Englishmen! It would really make them sit up and notice if they recieved a letter from the UK praising the standard of cricket played over the past 7 days!

Thanks again for your support, and you're more than welcome over in Tallinn again. If I get us a new garment of kit made - you'll be first on the list!

James

James, if there is anything we can do as a club to help let us know, if you have the contact details of the people you would like us to write to or contact let me know. I will also come back and ask you to do the same at our end to get additional support for this from some of the sporting and government bodies over hear. Charlie Bass

No problem at all. Andres Burget is the man in the Estonian team who is with you to speak to. If you can't find him - then send me an email and we'll work something out ([e-mail]). This goes for everyone also - I think if we all work collectively on positive PR, then it should have a positive outcome.