whufc wrote:Lightning McQueen wrote:whufc wrote:
Apparently Pearce is not welcome at Angle Vale anymore, his not going to play anywhere just concerntrate on his music. Not sure why Dougie has left but the whole AV a grade said he is playing for them.
Eastern Park hasn't been rosy for a long time, me and 6 mates left there about 4 years ago and we are all now playing in various AGrade div1 sides and Playfords div2 grand final team.
-players been selected on reputation over performance
-lack of support from commitee especially since the football team has rised through the divs
-constant changes in attitude on players not training and playing
-how your viewed as a cricketer and the chance you get are dependent on who your junior coach was.
-selection commitee always throwing people in the deep end trying to work miracles at selection.
Only specultaion but i wouldn't be surprised to see a few of the EP lads who now play footy for Brahma also play cricket there. One in particular Brent Marshall is a gun and would very easily make the step up to div1 which Braham would provide.
This is what I was told was the main reason for the unrest, we've had a few enquiries for the forthcoming season from them, it's a shame as there are some good people out there and I know
John does a lot of work behind the scenes that goes unwarranted.
John is an absolute legend at EP cricket if it wasn't for him EP would not have had a cricket side the last few years.
In saying that though, he very much pushes the juniors that he has coached and because he has so much influence on the senior cricket those kids generally get promoted alot quicker.
This was one of the main reason for my group of mates leaving a few years ago. We had got the EP bgrade from div6 all the way through to a div3 grand final with very limited oppurtunites in the a grade. What urked us the most was the year after the div3 GF seeing blokes that had played u/15 under John and C Grade (which finished bottom and didn't win a game in div7 or

in the afternoon get promoted straight into the A grade and keep their spots despite the a grade sitting bottom and the B's once again making a huge push for the div3 title.
Wow I am actually shocked and also agree over a few things said in a few above posts.
For 1, I had heard Doug Long was coach of Eastern park for this year, and as of only yesterday I spoke to a work colleague of his and he said to me no different. It would be an amazing about face if he is now playing for Angle Vale. Good luck to him if he has made the move to AV, but this news I find interesting. Also, on their bowlers we faced last year I would rate J Carmen above all their bowlers. A great line and length bowler who swings and moves the ball off the pitch. Much more dangerous than B Pearce.
With Johnny Ashworth, definitely a club legend. All the work he has done for the club, juniors and seniors, has been amazing. I have heard some varying reports about from EP during the footy season, but from what I can gather the selection process for the coach was very hush hush, maybe designed so only a couple insiders apply for. I have it on good authority that John was NOT approached to coach again, which is shocking and very disappointing. If it is true that Dougie has now gone to AV, it will be interesting who will apply to take over.
It will be interesting to see what comes of Eastern Park for the next few years, I have no doubt they have some of the best junior cricketers (15-17 years) in the northern suburbs. All they need is some stability with the club they are playing for and a good group of seniors helping them along. I suspect some with leave with the situation at the club. That said, if EP can keep Bradley Banks and his mates at the club, at least the club will keep going. Word is Kenny McConnell may be making a come back. Not sure how much he has lost in his shoulder, but was one of the best bowlers I have faced in para districts.
And WHUFC, surely you jest about Brent Marshall being a gun...very average cricketer.