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Recman booted out by BCBC

This story was omitted from to the Library directory. Please check the microfilm so that you may exam the original version that appeared in the newspaper.

George Holdipp found out just how swift and severe the sword of the Bermuda Cricket Board of Control can be for perceived dissidents as he was recently booted from the ranks of club representative of the governing body.

Holdipp's `crime' was to offer a letter and make comment to The Royal Gazette regarding the handling of the Roland Butcher situation, saying that the BCBC needed to apologise to the Bermuda National Team and the rest of the Island for letting them down in allowing matters to drag on.

The prolonged absence by the national coach -- Butcher ultimately resigned -- severely hampered the team's preparation and any success reaped at the upcoming ICC Trophy tournament in Canada would be in spite of the Board according to Holdipp.

However, the BCBC took grave offence to Holdipp's use of the media without first bringing such issues to the floor and ultimately reached the conclusion that prolonging Holdipp's tenure as a low level executive was just as untenable as that of Butcher.

By a raging majority, believed to be 7-1, Holdipp was voted out a scant three months into his inaugural term as club representative.

Forced to turn tail in retreat, Holdipp admitted to have been shocked and bewildered by the `sucker punch', one which he said has momentarily derailed his plans for improving the local game. However, he stood by the statements made in the article and letter.

"Let me say up front that while I expected to be taken to task with reference to my statement to the press I did not think I would be kicked off the Board,'' said Holdipp, who regularly writes under the pen name Recman.

"I made that statement because I genuinely felt and still do that we had let the public down with respect to the preparation of our ICC squad and believed the cricket fraternity deserved an apology.

"Quite frankly I was in a state of shock and dismay when I was voted off and I am not ashamed to say it took me some time to regain my composure after the deed was done.

"While I remain somewhat disillusioned with the Board, my enthusiasm for the game in general is undiminished. I wish to make it clear that every decision I made with respect to the game in the short time I served was in accord with what I believed was in the best interest of cricket in these islands.

"Questions I raised with respect to our ICC preparation at Board level were always made with the intent of seeing that the team was afforded the best chance to win.'' Holdipp was the second club representative to leave the ranks, with John Tucker having previously resigned.

BCBC president El James refused comment, merely saying: "The matter is in the past, and we're moving forward with a positive view to improving.''