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County hits back at Ground coffee claim
ESSEX have hit back after a national newspaper reporter said he "hoped" the county "will not survive" in his column.
Observer journalist Will Buckley also upset the county by complaining about the lack of coffee available at the Ford County Ground during the weekend's tour match against the New Zealanders.
Buckley, who has written for the Express and Observer during the past 14-years, also dismissed the Chelmsford home of Essex as "nondescript" in a scathing introduction to his article, which appeared in the latter on Sunday.
He wrote: "There could hardly be a greater contrast than that between the all-singing, all-dancing money glut that is the IPL and nondescript Chelmsford, where you cannot even get a coffee for love or loose change.
"One, it is said, will be the future and the other, it is hoped, will not survive any restructuring of the game."
The comments angered Essex, who put out a statement slamming Buckley on Bank Holiday Monday.
The statement said: "Essex County Cricket Club is delighted to refute the Observer's claim of a coffee shortage at the Ford County Ground.
"We can confirm it is certainly possible to get a cup of coffee for loose change' - if not necessarily love' - on all matchdays.
"Furthermore, facilities are available to media, admin and playing staff to take advantage of free coffee AND tea provisions - albeit without a maid service on-hand.
"In addition, against Mr Buckley's wishes, we are also hoping nondescript Chelms-ford' will survive the restructuring of the game'."
First team coach Paul Grayson also waded into the row, confirming the club's claim that hot drinks were widely available during the match.
"I am pleased to confirm I enjoyed at least two mugs of coffee on Saturday and also saw several players and spectators taking advantage of a variety of hot beverages."
Essex are planning a £60million regeneration of the Ford County Ground, which the club hopes to have completed by the start of the 2011 season.
11:19am Tuesday 6th May 2008
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