You've got the ground. You've got the facilities. You've got the clubhouse. You've got the fan base. You've got the money. All you need now is the team. That's the difficult bit. Ah sod it, who cares, let's get a whole new team.

Carrickfergus came up through the ranks and reached the top flight of NCU cricket. The problems came when they got there. A couple of top players like Barry Cooper and Ryan Eagleson were talented enough to ensure they reached the top table but the club realised that the rest of the loyal club men probably hadn't got enough to keep them there.

After a couple of close escapes Carrickfergus were eventually relegated only to get a last minute reprieve. Derriaghy were stripped all the points after it became clear that one of their South Africans fell foul of the registrations criteria. Since then Carrickfergus have allegedly pursued a cheque book policy to recruit players. By and large these players have been from either Zimbabwe or South Africa and by and large these players have shown little loyalty to the club.

In recent years there have been more comings and goings at Carrick than Harare train station and Johannesburg airport combined. Colin Birch has gone from 2008, as has Johan le Roux and Ryan Ervine. The latter has been ‘persuaded' to go to Lisburn. No point in holding grudges. To these guys a ‘grudge' is simply somewhere to park your car! Carrick should be used to the revolving door with Darius and Gideon Van Rensburg along with professional Coverdale departing from the previous season.

For those of you worrying that Middle Road won't be the same without the African accents we have another busload for 2009. Former Zimbabwean Test player Gavin Ewing is the new professional, South African Ross Gelderbloem is here for reasons unconnected with cricket, and fellow countryman Rory Thompson has made it to Carrick via Larne. Throw in Matt Mangan from Sydney with the obligatory Irish passport and you could film an episode of UK Border Patrol and Cricket AM from the same location.

Not that Carrick stopped there. Talented locals, Paul and Richard Stirling have moved from Cliftonville and Michael Turkington and Andrew Haire frustrated from lack of opportunities at Comber have moved from champions North Down. Long time servant Barry Cooper has moved on but Ryan Eagleson, Andrew Cowden, Naz Khan, Anthony Martin and Michael Gilmour complete the regulars.

History has shown us that clubs with two pros generally do very well. (One plays as a local). So I expect Carrick to mount a strong challenge in the cup. They could be an outside bet for the league but you need some player stability to do that. Maybe next year if no-one catches the next bus out in September.

You've got the ground. You've got the facilities. You've got the clubhouse. You've got the money... Did I just say all that? Well now I'm talking about CIYMS. Derek Heasley and Johnny Hewitt helped bring CIYMS through the ranks and now they have discovered the rest of the loyal club men probably haven't got enough!.I said all this haven't I?

CIYMS have brought in Barry Cooper from Carrickfergus, Neil Gelston from Downpatrick, Ireland player Thinus Fourie and new professional Paul Rofe. Last year they picked up talented leg spinner Ryan Hanna from Cooke Collegians. This effectively means that CIYMS have a bowling attack and a decent batting line up. They are now the Brigade of NCU cricket, boasting half a team of exceptionally talented cricketers and any four from the rest of the club. Michael Hingston and Stephen Hughes will probably be two of them and the other two could be the tea ladies if they are decent fielders.

History has shown us that clubs with two pros generally do very well. (One plays as a local) So I expect CIYMS to mount a strong challenge in the cup. They could be an outside bet for the league but you need some player stability to do that. Maybe next year if no-one catches the next bus out in September.

I've said all that haven't I?