Andrew Zigmond wrote:Chris Rice wrote:"Roger Edwards a man who promises nothing and is guaranteed to deliver" Steve Giddins (extract from Nigel Short's article in New In Chess 2014#2)
Roger Edwards is the only ECF President from the last four who hasn't resigned in acrimonious circumstances. I think he deserves a lot more credit for that than he currently gets.
Andrews comments were indeed very well stated...
Question is....how do we go forward?
Here`s one possibility that I think ECF Council should take immediate action on at this weekends meeting...
Reinstate Roger Edwards as ECF President for an 18 month period till October 2015.
Extend the current `shelf life` of the other ECF board members til October 2015.
Install Angus French as NED till October 2015.
Perhaps add Jack Rudd as an additional NED, with additional responsibilities for mediating/coordinating with the FIDE delegate regarding ECF policy matters.
To bring Rogers undoubted experience to lead the ECF board could help restore stability, confidence, order, and at least help take us on a steady course through the next 18 months, which might also help restore the ECFs tarnished reputation.
I`d also favour allowing AP his ECU Vice President ticket.
Frankly, the shenanigans surrounding some of the East European personalities in FIDE related bodies, where self serving agendas, and devious politics abound, should not be allowed to cloud UK chess.
The alternative, of allowing the ECF to continue under a rudderless board really is not desirable. Who else will be daft/daring enough to risk there reputation at the hands of such a dysfunctional organisation. The ECF could end up rudderless for a considerable period of time.
At this critical point, it is important to take stock, reassess its position on a whole range of issues, and proceed with caution, making sure they consult widely on key issues.
The ECF AGM in October could then take stock on progress and make any recommendations to the board....and follow this up at the subsequent ECF Spring Council meeting.
In order to expidite this at the Council Meeting, or at least set the wheels in motion, it would need to be raised as a point of business at the meeting, for which I presume there are mechanisms in place. To accomodate discussion, it might be worth limiting discusions on some on the other business.
I hope this can be done.