CENTRAL YORKSHIRE CRICKET LEAGUE FORUM

All contributors and readers of the forum are probably aware of the removal of the topic regarding Cricket Balls. This resulted from the malicious and libellous comments made about Solly Adam and his firm made by a small number of posters, who no doubt thought they were indulging in “witty banter”. This could not be further from the truth.

Solly consulted his legal advisors, who felt that legal action could be taken against the CYCL and the individuals posting the comments and in any event the forum should be closed down. In the event, Solly has no wish to go down this road and was happy to leave this matter to the CYCL Management.

The question of closing the forum was discussed at length at the May Management Meeting. A good friend of the CYCL has been vilified on our website, the CYCL Management have enough to do without clearing up damage caused by the comments of a few airheads that post on the forum. The simple solution would be to close forum and let the small minority find themselves another channel of communication to abuse each other, or anyone else that shows up on their radar.

On the other hand, the vast majority of the posts are both amusing and informative. In the case of the V & E Trophy, it is unlikely this Competition would have taken place this year without the amount of interest and dialogue shown on the forum. As far as the League Management are concerned, the forum does provide us with unofficial feedback and we feel that it does stimulate interest in the CYCL. We are reluctant to punish the vast majority of people who contribute to, or read, the forum, as a result of the thoughtless rantings of a few individuals.

Consequently, we have decided on the under mentioned course of action

• The CYCL Web forum will be closed with immediate effect.
• Our Website Committee and their counterparts in the LWRCL will investigate what software is available to secure and control the forum aspect of a website. Could anyone with experience, or knowledge of this area, please contact Steve Kidd (steve.kidd@cyclweb.com).
• Providing the CYCL and LWRCL Managements feel that we have done everything possible to prevent a repetition of the recent events, the forum will reopen on the new CYCLA website.

When and if a new forum is started, the following criteria will apply:

• Individuals will have to post under their own names.
• The league will instigate disciplinary action against players and Clubs in respect of comments made on the forum, where it is felt appropriate.

One final point, Solly has shrugged off the personal nature of some of comments, but he is anxious the any problems with the cricket balls are referred back to him. Past experience shows that these problems are resolved in a prompt and satisfactory manner. The CYCL value its long association with Solly as an individual and with his firm.

Chris Madden Chairman