NOT A good week for Gloucestershire! You have to be pretty bad to lose to Leicestershire by more than 300 runs. We were. Even the bowlers did not fire this time.

Not a good week for me, either. Approached in avenue and aisle (Tescos and church), pavement and pub by County supporters, both concerned and cross. I have had too many gloomy conversations. I unplugged the telephone.

Everyone has questions, some have solutions but at least many care. ‘Sack the lot,’ or ‘Fire Bracewell’ are the more extreme views. ‘Sign two reliable batsmen’ is the more moderate one. Gidman’s captaincy is questioned. I will write more about Alex when the season is over but will mention just one > statistic in respect of Kiwi coach ‘JB’. In the two years before he came back to the club we won three championship matches. In the two years since he has been here, we have won 12.

What is so frustrating is we could have turned those victories into promotion and be riding high in the First Division. Why we have not is easy to explain.

Premier League bowling is matched by Blue Square Conference batting. When under pressure we buckle. We do not draw matches – we lose them. No-one in the Second Division has lost more.

In need of cheering up, and lured by the magic of the FA Cup, I headed for the Corinium Stadium. Cirencester 0, Didcot 0 was not a life-enhancing experience. I should have watched the conquerors of Stroud gain another Gloucestershire scalp in beating Thornbury and watched the town’s rugby team instead.

The evening was uplifting, however. I am sure I could be similarly inspired at many Gloucestershire clubs (Cam, Frocester, Thornbury, Lechlade, Rockhampton for instance) but this week it is Poulton’s turn. It was the presentation evening and Steve Kirby did the honours. The real honour was mine, however, as wearing my CDCA hat I was asked to share the platform with him. One of the saddest things about cricket is if you are a successful club you may find a few people who are jealous. What rubbish. The Poulton formula is just the same as any other successful club. Vision, drive, energy and hard work – all are freely available. Just find the right individuals at the right time.

Geoff Chapman, David Dunn and Simon Gordon Walker spring to mind at Poulton but also the backroom team with Wayne Timson and John Nunn happily recognised for their efforts. One complaint, Poulton. There was no award for your catering officers, Joanna Armitage and Yvonne Gordon Walker. You are always well fed at Poulton.

The presentations majored on youth, and rightly so. The Poulton club have led the way in both sponsorship and management in developing the long-over game across the county. Call in one Sunday next summer and see the youth set up at work.

There was the opportunity for a long chat with the departing Kirby. I can accurately write “speaking exclusively to the SNJ…” Steve explained his reasons for leaving. No grudges – no animosity – just a desire to follow a dream. He wants to win something – and to play for England. He may not succeed, but does not want to retire wondering. Offers have come in from Lancashire, Yorkshire, Surrey and Hampshire but all have been rejected. By the time you read this Steve hopes to have signed for Somerset. Steve likes to play with his family around him and this will be possible, without any domestic upheaval if he plays at Taunton – wife Sacha and the two mini Kirbys will be housed at Bristol. Anyone who knows the Kirby family will wish them all well.

Back to the County. Will Gidman, younger brother of Alex, is arriving via the MCC young cricketers and Durham. He will certainly bowl some reliable overs but will he score the reliable runs we need so badly?

Do you agree with John? Have your say at stroudnewsandjournal .co.uk