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Post by Brad on Mar 25, 2011 1:12:00 GMT 1
A few people have suggested that we select an Elgin A Team for this year's Interleague by offering places down the Region Four Rankings list.
I'd like to start a discussion to gauge everyone's opinion....
My suggestion for choosing an A Team would be to take the top six ranked players plus one wildcard giving a seven man team. The top six players to agree on the wildcard entry.
A wildcard would mean that you could take a top player who either doesn't play on the tour or has been unlucky and not racked up enough points to make it into the top six.
The SEPF want a full quota of 32 teams at this year's competition. There might not be any university teams this year so I have had permission to enter as many teams as we like (within reason!)
I'd hope we could take three teams again, maybe more if there's the interest. Last year we took some very good players but they were spread out amongst three teams. I really believe that if we work together to get our top players in the A Team then we'll stand a good chance of causing an upset.
What do you all think?
Brad
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Post by thecentralscrutinizer on Mar 25, 2011 16:58:12 GMT 1
I think that its a bit dangerous to use the ranking list from the Region 4 tour. Reason being is that it is not the EDPL ranking list and players would be representing the league rather than the region. I believe there is another comp for a regional team!
Options for picking teams range from 3/4 person selection committee, EDPL Committee appointed Captains, free picks for all, SEPF ranking list etc
Would be great to hear from some guys who play outwith Div 1 about their thoughts on this. It needs to be emphasised that this comp is for all EDPL players!
I would also say that Lossie should be contacted about this comp. Surely they could put together some quality players to go along with Woody, Dave Main, Teddy etc...
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Post by tonymccallion on Mar 25, 2011 21:16:14 GMT 1
I think the strongest team wont always be picked using rankings and as Adam said its an Elgin team.
My vote would go towards having a selection committee. People who know all of the players abilities and possibly some knowledge of oppostition ability.
If we merged the best from last years 3 teams then we would have had a very solid team.
Ive played for Styx before representing Elgin last year and theres nothing better than winning games for your own league team but we need our strongest possible team if we were to look at winning it . . ..which i think we can!!!
The Interleague is an amazing weekend and it doesnt break the bank either, i urge you all to book the weekend off and get down there.
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Post by raymack on Mar 25, 2011 21:25:02 GMT 1
I dont really feel qualified to comment on this as I have not been involved in the Interleague team for many years. But, I do think you need to ask the guys who have supported it and been involved like Alan Duncan, Neil simpson etc for their opinions. What is the date of this years event ?
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Post by thecentralscrutinizer on Mar 25, 2011 21:50:41 GMT 1
Assuming there are no calendar changes it will be on 19th, 20th and 21st November ray.
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Post by Brad on Mar 26, 2011 17:53:55 GMT 1
Yep same weekend as last year. It was actually Alan Duncan who suggested breaking up his team who have played together for years in favour of taking the strongest team possible.
Selection committee sounds like a great idea.
Adam, Lossie won't be able to enter a team unless they affiliate with the SEPF, this was passed at the AGM as a few other leagues like Stonehaven have been entering teams but not paying their affiliation.
Leagues like Oban and Keith have been offered an associate (half price affiliation) to enter the Interleague as a one year trial while we wait for them affiliating.
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Post by tonymccallion on Mar 28, 2011 8:18:45 GMT 1
Isnt it really cheap to affiliate, i think the IO guys had done this for years. Although i do believe that Stuart Archibald was just pocketing it.
Last year showed that the big boys can fall easily we cud win this.
Maybe start a list of all interested?
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Post by woody on Mar 28, 2011 16:04:18 GMT 1
No disrespect but I don't think we have enough good players in Lossiemouth to produce a quality Inter league team (apart from David Main & Teddy) and I for one don't want to just be making up the numbers at this years event when we have undoubtedly got the players in the EDPL to cause some problems and get quite far. So, as far as a Lossiemouth team goes - I'm oot!!
We could have a fantastic A team and a very solid B team.
I think David Main should be a wild card.
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Post by Brad on Mar 28, 2011 18:17:50 GMT 1
It's only £50 to affiliate your league with the SEPF! Not exactly bank breaking.
Woody, there are some cracking players in Lossie, quite a few play in the Elgin league but there's also plenty who don't!
Sounds like the majority of you are in favour of a committee for selecting the A team then? I'd suggest later in the year when it's selection time that would be a good way to go.
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Post by thecentralscrutinizer on Mar 28, 2011 19:50:02 GMT 1
Agree it's a steal to get into the interleague comp which is why the likes of Forres and Lossiemouth should get themselves in it!
If I had to plump for a means of selection i would like to see a ranking system used. Unfortunately this won't be possible until next season. So, in the meantime I would go for committee appointed captains. I would get a list of all interested players FIRST, then appoint captains and then give nominated A team captain first 8 picks, then B team captain the next 8 and so on...
Appreciate this system may not be to the liking of all!
Agree that Elgin could produce some excellent teams. However, my view is that all participants should play regularly in the Elgin league which may exclude some guys that have played in the past...
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Post by woody on Mar 28, 2011 20:47:52 GMT 1
I would be interested in being part of and helping organise a Lossiemouth team if Brad is correct by saying there are a number of quality players around to choose from. Especially if I'm not able to play in one of the Elgin teams because I'm not playing in the EDPL.
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Post by thecentralscrutinizer on Mar 28, 2011 21:08:16 GMT 1
Great if you could get a Lossiemouth team arranged woody! However I believe that the team should be selected from players who have played in the preceding season, as you have done. No worries for you under my proposed criteria!!
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Post by Brad on Mar 28, 2011 21:15:49 GMT 1
and Lossiemouth aren't an affiliated league despite our best attempts at communicating with them, it looks like they have no interest in bettering themselves. I know it's not everyone's cup of tea and many players just want a pint and a laugh on a Wednesday but you'd expect the committee to want to give their top players a chance on a national/international level?
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Post by woody on Mar 28, 2011 21:16:12 GMT 1
That's good then mate. I would prefer to be part of one of the Elgin teams this year if lucky enough to be selected and perhaps get the Lossiemouth team up and running next time round.
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Post by thecentralscrutinizer on Mar 28, 2011 21:30:04 GMT 1
Surely it would good to get a Lossiemouth team on the go though?! Are you saying that woody and co (hypothetically) couldn't have a team from Lossiemouth because their league is not affiliated?
Perhaps getting word out about the interleague to the players through the players would be better? Teddy smith and scot little play in the Lossiemouth league don't they?
If this were to happen could they not just pay the affiliation fee between them or, as some will be affiliated to the tour, not just come to an arrangement with the SEPF?
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Post by tonymccallion on Mar 29, 2011 17:30:27 GMT 1
PLAYERS AVAILABLE FOR SELECTION
1. Tony McCallion
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Post by Brad on Mar 29, 2011 17:56:30 GMT 1
No mate, Lossie play on a wednesday same as us so nobody plays in both as far as I'm aware. Steven Ingram from our team is a 3x Lossie Masters Champ and he moved to EDPL a couple of years ago.
You're right in saying that Lossie couldn't enter a team (even if made up from Elgin players) as they aren't affiliated. That's what Stonehaven have been told this year (all their players were ADPL.) It's basically a backdoor way of sneaking in extra teams without affiliating or being selected for your own league.
Also, Tony, everybody in the league is available for selection, many don't use the internet though so don't want to start a list yet. I'll advertise it in the press nearer the time and mention it at the AGM.
I think the way to go will probably be to see how many of last years players want to go, then start a list for others. Hopefully we'll get 3 or 4 teams out no bother this November.
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Post by tonymccallion on Mar 29, 2011 18:31:44 GMT 1
I mean who can make it and who cant, who wants to play.
It would still be a basis to get the ball rolling.
Wouldnt wait until nearer the time as people can have things pop up etc
get something in paper now and nearer the time and maybe send letters out to pubs?
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Post by tonymccallion on Mar 29, 2011 18:33:48 GMT 1
As said earlier Lossie can enter a team they just need to pay the £50.
Thats what Elgin done for years
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Post by thecentralscrutinizer on Jun 22, 2011 22:19:45 GMT 1
Given recent chatter at the EDPL agm regarding the interleague selection procedures for this, I would like to accelerate matters. Alan Duncan has been put forward by brad as a possible candidate for captaincy. I would like to take this opportunity to offer an alternative candidate. I nominate Raymond Mackenzie for Elgin A team captain.
The main reasons for this are that I believe that he would be an automatic pick for the team and that he has successful captaincy experience with his league team.
Not sure if this is the proper way to go about this but I do feel that there should be more than one candidate for this important role.
Thoughts?!
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Post by raymack on Jun 22, 2011 23:00:53 GMT 1
Thoughts ?  Very flattered for one ! Not sure what else to say at the moment ! |
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Post by stucamp19 on Jun 23, 2011 0:06:55 GMT 1
I concur Adam. The fact Raymond is my captain and best mate has nothing 2 do with it tho. !!
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Post by Brad on Jun 23, 2011 8:43:00 GMT 1
No problems with that at all Adam, open discussion, I'll get the ball rolling with meetings in August.
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Post by woody on Jun 23, 2011 11:44:43 GMT 1
Raymond and Alan would both make great captains, they both stand out from the rest I would say for automatic selection. Alan has been attending the interleagues for years I believe and he himself has a fantastic track record having captained the Ionic team to numerous titles over the years. I think the big question here is A) If Alan were to be chosen for the role would it be as a 'non' playing captain? If this were the case I personally don't think he would be interested. This in turn would probably mean that Alan would choose to go to Burntisland with his own team which would more than likely include our best player Neil Simpson. We have to realise that the Ionic lads have been committed to attending these events for years and the question would be would they want to change for the benefit of the EDPL possibly having a winning team? Alan would be the first to admit that he has under performed by his own high standards in SEPF events and Elgin singles but remains a very strong 'single frame' team player therefore I personally think his experience would be invaluable to the team.
In summary my choice would be either: A) Raymond MacKenzie (Player/Captain) with Alan Duncan selected for a team place or B) Alan Duncan (Player/Captain).
Also to put a third name in the mix........................... Adam MacLeod. Adam was as you are all aware Scotland A team captain at the European Team Championships in Malta, no better experience than that.
Sure things will work out fine for everyone upon conclusion of the meeting Brad is organising for August.
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Post by raymack on Jun 23, 2011 13:00:33 GMT 1
Firstly can I say that I feel incredibly honoured that Adam thinks enough of me as a player and person to nominate me as a candidate for captaining the Elgin A Interleague side. However I am going to say a couple of things out loud now what others may be thinking. a/ I have only played in the Interleague once and that was 8 or 9 years ago b/ My knowledge of the opposition would be limited to what I have witnessed only over the last year in the Scottish singles and Open events. Im not declining in any way but in my opinion there is one candidate who stands head and shoulders above everyone else for the role of captain, in terms of his knowledge, experience, passion for the game and of course for his skill on the table and that person is Alan Duncan. Im sure that Alan won't mind me saying that some of us have had disputes with him in the past , including me but these have all been connected with pool and as far as I'm concerned its all handbags and water under the bridge ( Until the next time we meet in a crunch game  ). If you think about the quality of the team we could put out there is no place to allow past differences or petty squabbles to disrupt that. I think we all need to get together first and see if anyone actually wants to be captain and under what circumstances. A neutral vice captain would be a good idea aswell in my opinion. Cheers |
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Post by woody on Jun 23, 2011 14:04:01 GMT 1
I totally agree with everything your saying Raymond. However, as your a very modest man I would like to blow your trumpet for you in saying that all the nice comments you have said in recognition of Alan could easily be said about your good self. I haven't known you for that long but it is easily seen that you would be an excellent team captain that everyone would warm too and enjoy playing along side. I think you would generate good team spirit which in itself would be vital for the teams success in this years interleague.
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Post by thecentralscrutinizer on Jun 23, 2011 16:07:45 GMT 1
Thanks for the nomination for this woody but I would not be interested in the captaincy this year. Had enough of that in Malta for this year! As regards both candidates, my point is that they are both worthy options and have a lot to offer the team. The purpose of nominating Raymond is because I feel that the league players should have a voice in selecting the A team captain. Perhaps a vote out to all team captains? This would make it an inclusive process instead of an appointment by committee. The Captain should then form one part of the selection committee for the actual team. That way the EDPL players have their say on it. I don't mind if the Captain is playing or non playing but would suggest that the squad have min 1 sub this year. In addition to getting ripped off, we missed a go to guy at points last year...  |
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Post by thecentralscrutinizer on Jun 23, 2011 19:21:40 GMT 1
Would be good to get the opinion of the most experienced guys on this. I see Neill has joined the site recently and Alan used to post a bit more regularly. What do you reckon to this? Does Alan even want to be captain?
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Post by Brad on Jul 3, 2011 17:39:29 GMT 1
I asked Alan a while back if he'd consider it and he said he would. Haven't actually asked him for an answer, but it was Alan who first suggested breaking up the team he's taken to the Interleague for years in favour of putting out the strongest A team possible.
There'll still be spaces for anyone else interested in going in other teams, hopefully we'll have enough interest to put out three teams again.
I think the best thing to do will be to have an open meeting some time soon to discuss what way people want to go.
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Post by thecentralscrutinizer on Jul 9, 2011 11:01:34 GMT 1
Spoke to Tony about this briefly on Wed. He made a reasonable point that might be worth considering. Should we not pick the team first via selection committee and then appoint the Captain? This is the way that international teams appear to work...
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