After our successful match against the Falkland Islands last summer, a number of comments were made about the prospect of a return. It is an ambitious project but I have been doing some investigation and hope to raise the subject at the AGM next month.

 The Falklands people would be delighted to have British visitors - I believe there has never been such a visit. There is only one place to play (at RAF Mount Pleasant) but  we could have as many matches as we want. Three matches (probably one against the military, one against the civvies and one against a combined side) would allow three or four days for penguin spotting and also allow days to be changed if the weather was too awful. There would be a formal reception at Government House in Stanley.

 Through the FI people, I have established contact with the Chilean Cricket Association. They have a good website on www.cricketchile.cl if you would like to have a look at it. In Santiago there are several nice grounds and different sides could play three or four games against us.

I have also done some work on the logistics.

 The cheapest airflights would be Heathrow-Madrid-Santiago-Punta Arenas-Mount Pleasant leaving on a Thursday evening and arriving at MP at Saturday lunchtime. Games could be scheduled in FI between Monday and Thursday before leaving for Santiago on the following Saturday with games there from Sunday to Wednesday or Thursday. Return could then be any day from Thursday on but anyone who wanted to linger could do so easily (if pre-planned) because there are plenty of flights back to Europe. For the main party, however, this would mean about two weeks away.

 We could whittle away at the costs if we decide to go for it. For example, I believe the Falklands cricketers might offer to accommodate visitors privately but travel and accommodation would be about £1500 a head. This is a lot of money but we might be able to get grants or sponsors if we decide in principle we can manage it.

 From a timing point of view, I have fixed on provisional dates of March 1st - 15th 2009 or thereabouts. To get the cheapest group fare for March 2009 we would have to book (with names) in April 2008 so what we need in the next couple of months are statements of firm intent not hopeful wishes which are going to fall away. There are likely to be players of all standards among the opposition and this would be a good opportunity for FCC players of all standards to share in an experience together. Supporters/umpires/scorers and camp followers would also be very welcome.

 As I say, I am going to raise this at the AGM but if you would like to respond before that, please do. If there is serious interest, I would hope to call a meeting of those interested in early February.

Peter George

Hon Sec