Ram Posted April 30, 2008 Share Posted April 30, 2008 In the milieu of IPL, this has hardly created any headlines. Here's the latest cricinfo article on it. Franchises won't work in England - Clarke Cricinfo staff April 29, 2008 Giles Clarke, the ECB chairman, has forthrightly dismissed the notion that the future of an English Premier League - a potential challenger to the Indian counterpart - lies in a city-based franchise system. "Franchise sport has simply never worked in the UK," Clarke told ECB members at the AGM held at Lord's. "Tradition and history rather than Bollywood stars and glitz are the binding which persuade supporters to return week in week out to our grounds - whether it is rugby, football or cricket. And some of the ideas spouted in the media have been frankly ludicrous. Can you, I was asked by a leading television executive, imagine cricket lovers rushing down St John's Wood Road to see a franchise called Vodafone Team London owned by an ageing rock star? "There has never yet been a successful Team London in any sport and nor is there likely to be any support for a Team Manchester or Team Leeds from traditional areas of rivalry such as Liverpool or Sheffield. When ECB launched their own Twenty20 Cup it was on the back of extensive spectator research and financial analysis. This is an exercise we will repeat before launching any new competition because we have said this tournament must be robust, spectator friendly and economically sustainable." Nevertheless, Clarke was gushing in his praise for the Indian Premier League, though he insisted "much of the look and feel of the tournament was taken from the ECB template". "It was, as the Indians say, a great tamasha. There was light, glitz, glamour and music," Clarke said. "We must congratulate them on creating an opening ceremony and establishing a tournament which has a scope and scale which can be compared to the Rugby World Cup. Those who were in Bangalore, Delhi, Chennai, Mohali and Mumbai will talk of a great spectacle and a great show. It was described so admirably by Alan Lee in The Times as the ECB Twenty20 with more money thrown at it." Clarke also spoke gratifyingly about Allen Stanford, the Texan billionaire who has proposed a $20million winner-takes-all contest between England and a West Indies XI. In addition, Stanford - the 239th richest man in the world - could yet bankroll the EPL, so long as he can ensure a worthwhile return on his investment. "I know that he has been extremely impressed by the facilities in England and Wales and also by the scope of the work of the ECB and the excellence of the course plotted by its chief executive and board," Clarke said. "I hope to give more details in the days and weeks ahead but I can guarantee that everyone in the game - from playground to Test arena - will benefit from this deal." © Cricinfo http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/england/content/current/story/347978.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobbydhillon Posted April 30, 2008 Share Posted April 30, 2008 there is no fan base for cricket in england why dont people get it lol its only football and then other sports Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monkeyfood Posted April 30, 2008 Share Posted April 30, 2008 there is no fan base for cricket in england why dont people get it lol its only football and then other sports true!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
umpire Posted April 30, 2008 Share Posted April 30, 2008 well 20-20 revived fan following in UK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rajiv Posted April 30, 2008 Share Posted April 30, 2008 20/20 is a night event..how many venues can hold d/n matches in england? Its not gonna have the same pomp and noise as India. After India, Australia is a good candidate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
umpire Posted April 30, 2008 Share Posted April 30, 2008 >how many venues can hold d/n matches in england? they don't need it. In summer light is good until 10 pm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cricketman Posted May 1, 2008 Share Posted May 1, 2008 No. They already have a fantastic domestic competition, The T20 Cup, which is awesomely exciting with their fair share of international players and all that jazz. I see no need for this in England, when they already have such a high quality format in place. Instead of spending all this money in creating a new format, they could fuel their T20 Cup via advertising and other ways. Clarke also stated that there would be no franchises in the EPL, if it kicks off. Then how is it any different then the current domestic structure? Its stupid, and all England want to do is have a chance to milk the money cow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ludhianvi Posted May 1, 2008 Share Posted May 1, 2008 there is no fan base for cricket in england why dont people get it lol its only football and then other sports really? Is it that bad. I thought the inaugural twenty over domestic competition went well with some good crowds.I think this format may pull more crowd support and children taking up the game more Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobbydhillon Posted May 2, 2008 Share Posted May 2, 2008 every(meaning 95 percent) child born in europe including britain has only one ambition (in terms of sports) and thats football, just like every kid in india wanna play cricket. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobbydhillon Posted May 2, 2008 Share Posted May 2, 2008 opss children lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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