Essex County Cricket Club said it is “delighted to refute” the Observer newspaper’s claim of a coffee shortage at The Ford County Ground, and issued a humorous and sarcastic media release citing ‘the coffee-gate saga’.

Reporting for the Sunday newspaper on day two of the tourist Match between Essex and New Zealand, Will Buckley started his report by writing: “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 to be hoped, will not survive any restructuring of the game.”

Although it may just be a ‘storm in a coffee-cup’ Essex reacted furiously by issuing the following release to the media.

“We can confirm it is certainly possible to get a cup of coffee for ‘loose change’ - if not necessarily ‘love’ - on all match days at The Ford County Ground.

“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.”

First team coach Paul Grayson added: “I am pleased to confirm I enjoyed at least two mugs of coffee – made by my own fair hands – on Saturday and also saw several players and spectators taking advantage of a variety of hot beverages.”

Essex also detailed their ground development plans which they feel will disappoint Buckley’s hopes of extinction for the Chelmsford club.

“Essex County Cricket Club’s General Committee have signed off on the design of a new pavilion, cricket centre, media centre and other related facilities as part of a ground redevelopment which we hope will have been completed in time for the 2011 season.”

So there you have it, brought to you by Bigstar Business – the coffee industry is still operating around the Chelmsford area!