The news that Somerset County Cricket Club has allocated premier seats in the new pavillion to corporate sponsors and 'Long Room' members has sparked debate on the countygazette.co.uk.

LETTER: I FIND much to agree with in Richard Redwood’s letter regarding Somerset County Cricket Club (Seats for all?, Postbag, December 17).

It is a members’ club.

That being so, why was it that 90 per cent of the membership were not consulted on the allocation of premier seats in the new pavilion, to be known as the 1875 Club?

Guy Lavender (chief executive of the cricket club) says he has to reward the loyalty of Long Room members and corporate sponsors.

This being so, he has compromised the loyalty of the bulk of Somerset members by such unfair methods, allocating premier seating to a minority.

By any other name, this is some kind of elitism.

We’ve always had a good fan base over many decades and the club should never take us for granted.

These seats should have been balloted and the income would have stayed the same.

I’ve been a member of this club for more than seven decades and always will be. Many of us contributed to the new pavilion appeal, so on that basis, there should not have been any discrimination shown to certain types of membership.

I’m all for advancement and moving on, however, I think in some ways we are trying to act Mr Big so to speak, competing with Test match grounds.

What I’m saying is, that we often punch above our weight but no matter how much success you achieve on and off the field, you’ve got to know your limitations.

If Somerset is to be known as a members’ club, then there is no room for elitism.

No matter what type of membership we have, we should all be treated the same.

ALAN FOYLE Taunton