Cann: Counties need new leadership

St. David's cricketer Lionel Cann has upped the ante in his club's ongoing feud with the Eastern Counties Cricket Association (ECCA).

The outspoken all rounder has called for heads to roll on the ECCA's Board less than a week after the Islanders withdrew from this year's Eastern Counties competition in protest.

St. David's are boycotting in protest of a controversial proposal to have this year's series played at Sea Breeze Oval that was ratified by the ECCA and subsequently voted upon by the association's members.

Cann alleges that the ECCA do not audit their financial reports or hold annual general meetings on a regular basis.

He said: "They haven't had an AGM in ten years and the constitution says every year they should have an AGM. We haven't had an audited report and have no financial statements from the Eastern Counties

"At least they can call an AGM so the clubs can voice their opinion and vote the people in that they feel can take the Eastern Counties forward."

Millett

When contacted ECCA president and former St. David's cricketer, Harold Millett, declined to respond to Cann's allegations.

Cann believes the Eastern Counties competition has lost some its appeal in recent years and, as such, feels the time is ripe to inject "fresh blood" on the ECCA Board.

He added: "In any business you need new fresh blood.... you need the youngsters with the new views coming in. Obviously they work hard and you can't take anything from them. But they are not producing the goods... the competition isn't growing so their hard work is all in vain."

While Cann prefers to see new faces on the ECCA Board, he feels there is still a role for the old guard to play.

"These guys still need to be sticking around and giving a little input behind the scenes, but to make the decisions it's time for the youngsters. You have young people now that are really, really into cricket and want to be in the administration level — and it's their turn. You can't just hold them back."

Last week it emerged that St. David's strongly oppose having this summer's Eastern Counties series played at Sea Breeze Oval, with the bone of their contention being a proposal submitted by Bailey's Bay that Cann deemed "unconstitutional".

"It (proposal) was a letter that was put forward by Bailey's Bay which was dated March 4 (2010) and wasn't signed at all," he claimed. "June 7th (2010) was the first time that the Eastern Counties executive team met on it, and so the president (Millett) hadn't seen it a month before the Eastern Counties.

Unconstitutional

"That letter was unconstitutionally tabled and they (ECCA members) voted that Bailey's Bay host Eastern Counties."

Cann admits to having mixed feelings over his club's stance that he backs to the very core.

He said: "I know we are doing the right thing by pulling out. For me it hurts obviously because I am a St. David's Islander and we bleed Eastern Counties. This is like my 23rd year of playing Eastern Counties coming up.

"It hurts because we are giving up the Eastern Counties (cup), which is something our forefathers fought for years. We're giving up monies that will be collected from Eastern Counties so we are losing big time.

"But we are making a stance — a stance that needs to be made to enhance the tournament."

In St. David's' absence from the tournament Cleveland County have been declared by the ECCA as the new cup holders.

The Harris Bay team will defend their crown against Flatts Victoria August 14 at Sea Breeze Oval.