Gloucestershire County Cricket Club: Chris Taylor’s contract dispute could go to a tribunal
Chris Taylor is set to take Gloucestershire County Cricket Club to an employment tribunal claiming unfair dismissal.
The 35-year-old Bristolian, who had been on the county staff since 1999, has failed to agree a new deal with the club following protracted discussions which began last year.
Taylor's contract expired on September 30, 2011, at which point he was told any future offer would depend upon Gloucestershire's £10 million scheme to redevelop the County Ground being given planning permission. When Bristol City Councillors turned the plans down by six votes to four last month, Gloucestershire withdrew their offer of a new contract to Taylor.
Taylor has taken legal advice and the matter could now end up going to a tribunal. Gloucestershire confirmed the matter will go to litigation.
Club chief executive Tom Richardson said: "We agreed and signed a conditional contract with Chris Taylor which was dependent on our ground development plan going ahead. Unfortunately, the planning permission we sought was turned down last month and we have, therefore, not been able to complete this agreement.
"We would like to thank Chris very much for his years of service as both player and, more recently, fielding coach, and wish him all the best for the future."
Gloucestershire's decision to part company with one of their longest-serving players appears to be based upon financial rather than cricket considerations.
Taylor was the county's top run-scorer in first-class cricket last season, amassing 1,139 runs at an average of 40.47.
He scored a brilliant career-best equalling 196 against Kent to help Gloucestershire win a Championship match at Cheltenham for the first time in a decade and was involved in a number of rearguard actions to stave off defeat in other games.
His departure spells the end of an era at the county. Along with Jon Lewis, who left to join Surrey in the winter, Taylor was the only surviving member of the side that won seven one-day titles in five years between 1999 and 2004.
He made his first-class debut against Middlesex at Lord's in 2000, scoring a hundred, and won three 50-over Trophy finals, a Benson & Hedges Cup final and a 40-over one-day league title with the club he first represented as a 10-year-old.
Gloucestershire recently financed the signing of batsman Dan Housego from Middlesex and last week announced that Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan would return to play Twenty20 cricket for the county this summer.
Gloucestershire's decision to part company with one of their longest-serving players appears to be based upon financial rather than cricket considerations.
Taylor was the county's top run-scorer in first-class cricket last season, amassing 1,139 runs at an average of 40.47.
He scored a brilliant career-best equalling 196 against Kent to help Gloucestershire win a Championship match at Cheltenham for the first time in a decade and was involved in a number of rearguard actions to stave off defeat in other games.
His departure spells the end of an era at the county. Along with Jon Lewis, who left to join Surrey in the winter, Taylor was the only surviving member of the side that won seven one-day titles in five years between 1999 and 2004.
He made his first class debut against Middlesex at Lord's in 2000, scoring a hundred, and won three 50-over Trophy finals, a Benson & Hedges Cup final and a 40-over one-day league title with the club he first represented as a 10-year-old.
Gloucestershire recently financed the signing of batsman Dan Housego from Middlesex and last week announced that Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan would return to play Twenty20 cricket for the county this summer.
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by Mister_B
Tuesday, February 21 2012, 5:54PM
“The BCC decision has left the Club in a dire financial situation, for which the Management Board must be held responsible. When the Board abolished the Council (elected representatives of Members), the Executive with its unelected co-optees has failed to control the massive expenditure incurred by the Officers in attempting to obtain International cricket in Bristol, an ambition unlikely to be achieved with the close proximity of Swalec and the Rosebowl, nor get an acceptable Return on the Investment.
In addition, the failure to ring-fence a Playing Budget has left the Club thin on the playing field. The loss of a number of experienced players, Chris Taylor being the latest, will make it difficult to remain competitive next season. The situation was not helped by the award of a four year contract to the Head Coach, who has failed to achieve any of his targets since his return!
With the Club nose-diving towards Bankruptcy, can Members expect a vote of 'No Confidence' in those responsible for these disasters at the AGM?”
by SpinyHedgehog
Friday, February 17 2012, 9:32PM
“Just to clarify, I don't have the option to resign my membership of the club.
As a Life Member, ther's only one way I could do it, and I'm not that desperate yet...”
by SpinyHedgehog
Friday, February 17 2012, 9:26PM
“Here we go again! Still, when BCC drive the Glos out of Bristol, I won't have to go and watch them.
As RaysMate said, maybe Steve Lansdown would like a full set of clubs...”
by Bishop_Stoner
Sunday, February 12 2012, 12:00AM
“@RaysMate: you may blame BCC for turning down the club's planning application but I blame the club's management for submitting proposals that were so poor. The committee wanted to help the club but couldn't do so 'at any price'. And even if the plans had been passed, can you tell me how a club that has made losses year after year could fund £10m of ground improvements with £6m from Linden Homes? It just didn't add up.”
by ChrisNeil54
Wednesday, February 08 2012, 2:41PM
“I completely agree with Arthur_T. GCCC plead poverty in deciding not to renew Chris' contract but sign Murali again for the T20s, who at best was very average last season. They give Housego a 3 year contract, this is a player who has played 15 first class games in his 3 years at Middlesex and can only be described as a good 2nd XI player at best and they are on the lookout for yet another unknown New Zealander to sign as their overseas player.
Chris has been a loyal servant for many years and to be treated this way is shameful.
Oh, and did I mention, not only is he a world class fielder and fielding coach, he was also our best batsman last season.
Shame on you GCCC for getting your priorities so badly mixed up and I for one will not be renewing my membership this season.”
by Arthur_T
Wednesday, February 08 2012, 1:06PM
“It is a real shame to see him go, especially in this manner, he has taken some of the best reaction catches I have ever witnessed. Some great knocks last season too.
RaysMate - You can blame the BCC planning committee if you like but if the club was being run properly would they not have budgeted to be able to keep one of their most valuable players whatever the outcome of a 50/50 ground development decision?
He can't be on that high wages and they have paid his salary for many years without a cheque from Linden. With the loss of big names the wage bill must be at an all time relative low and the club are raking it in from the gym membership at least.”
by RaysMate
Wednesday, February 08 2012, 10:49AM
“Sorry, i meant to say a world class 'fielder'”
by PEAKVIEW
Wednesday, February 08 2012, 8:25AM
“a”
by RaysMate
Wednesday, February 08 2012, 12:51AM
“Really sorry to see Chris Taylor leaving Glos especially in these circumstances. Chris has given Glos members a lot of pleasure when he has been playing and he is truly a world class player. No doubt we will never find out what has happened with contaract negotiations but I would have preferred to keep Taylor and let Marshall go.
Don't forget the blame for this fiascomust be put at the door of Bristol City Planning Committee.
I wonder if Steve Lansdown would like to have a full set of sports clubs.”
by city1982
Tuesday, February 07 2012, 12:23PM
“The trouble for him is he may find it difficult to find a pure playing role, mainly due to his age. Im a Somerset fan but recognise a good player and loyal servant when i see one, there certainly havent been many better fielders around in recent years. Glos certainly havent handled this at all well, so i can see why he has decided to investigate taking this further through employments lawyers.
The likes of Worcester and Derby would do worse than give him a contract, especially if they combine some fielding skills traing in with it!!!!
Good luck”