Mr Nicholas Bitel of the renowned law firm Max Bitel Greene is busy persecuting, yet again, all of the more modestly sized ticket brokerage firms.

Over the years we have questioned Mr Bitel as to whether or not he also writes threatening letters to the bigger platforms – “Yes! he says, ABSOLUTELY!” From our information, it seems this may be right, the only difference is that from conversations we have had, the big platforms tell him to F**ck Off! and the little guys, who often do not have the resource to a legal team, just sign an undertaking not to sell these tickets – and then get lumbered with a bill for costs and no doubt Mr. Bitel is charging his client – in this case the English Cricket Board – for the privilege as well.

Bit of a result really for Mr Bitel and Co. – but is this value for money for the English Cricket Board – stopping the resale of their tickets? We respectfully suggest it is actually to the detriment of the game and the ECB. Why? Well from a commercial standpoint – and we would be fascinated to see the true figures from the ECB, but we won’t hold our breath – the proportion of money spent on advertising by the ECB and the Secondary Markets is disproportionate. A figure being bandied about by some of the economic pundits is five to one. In other words, for every pound spent by the ECB, five are spent by other ticket outlets.

We have said this for YEARS! and what is the result of the assault on the Secondary Markets? Most everyone we have spoken to have quite simply stopped selling the tickets “It’s not worth the hassle” is the general view. So now, the markets are depressed and these tickets are selling at way UNDER face value – IF you can find a broker willing to sell you any. Oh sure, there are plenty on ebay and the “Exchanges”, but is this where the English Cricket Board wants to end up? Because that is exactly where they are.

Sure, the abysmal standard of play hasn’t helped but what were the ECB thinking about when they scheduled the England v Pakistan matches during Ramadan later in the season? And really, do you want to be playing to an empty ground? An empty auditorium is every Music Promoters nightmare and to be avoided at all costs – are the Sporting events different? we think not, besides if the ground is empty all of the concessions, the Official Shop and the Restaurants fail to make ends meet, it is NOT just the ticket, it is all of the ancillaries that matter too. Even the lowly car park attendant has to eat – but if there are no cars to park – what then?

There is an article by Paul Weaver in the guardian here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2010/aug/07/england-pakistan-second-test1