Bermuda Cricket Board have indicated that the jobs of National Coach David Moore and Chief Executive Neil Speight are safe, despite the governing body suffering a huge drop in funds.In an angry response to a Royal Gazette article published earlier this week, questioning the future of the two employees, BCB president Reggie Pearman and executives Lloyd Fray and Allen Richardson indicated the pair would continue to be a part of the sport’s future.Pearman labelled such speculation as “complete rubbish” and Fray called it “a complete nonsense.”However, the story, written by senior reporter Josh Ball, who has frequently travelled with the national team, was based on information provided by members of the Board.This newspaper stands by the article.A dismal performance earlier this month by the national team in Dubai when they were relegated from World League Division Two means the Board will no longer receive money from the International Cricket Council estimated at around $400,000 per year.Combined with a drastic cut in funds provided by Government, announced in this year’s Budget, it’s believed the Board may be forced to lay off staff.But since the national team returned from Dubai, the BCB have refused to comment on their finances and have also refused to discuss cricket’s future, despite repeated requests from this newspaper.A member of the Board said recently: “The Executive are keeping any discussions/meetings/decisions etc. private for now.”In a BCB statement released yesterday, Pearman complained that the Gazette story was “misleading”, and he and Fray and Richardson “were appalled by the content of the article.”The story noted that the posts held by Moore and Speight could be in jeopardy as a result of the huge reduction in funds.But Pearman noted: “The article makes a number of insinuations and claims regarding BCB matters that are patently untrue and very disappointing.“Having to read this mischievous and irresponsible nonsense is very frustrating. It is quite clear to everybody that Bermuda as a country is working through a difficult period and the impact on sporting bodies has been significant. Nevertheless to read reports of supposedly secret meetings and to have claims made that the key employee positions of Chief Executive and National Coach are under threat is overwhelmingly frustrating as it is all complete rubbish.“Neil and David are outstanding employees and are crucial resources in a small organisation and their work is universally recognised by the Executive as world class. To insinuate otherwise is patently misleading.”Fray, who was chairman of the recruitment committee that conducted the hiring process of Moore, said: “The BCB Executive has a clearly documented strategy which is regularly reviewed.“The BCB has been outstandingly successful in the past eight years and has repeatedly and deservedly, won international honours for the quality of its development programmes, its governance and management and its operational effectiveness.“As in any well-run organisation financial matters are regularly reviewed and decisions may be taken on strategic and operational issues. With the current economic climate the BCB will continue to look for new revenue streams in addition to reviewing its operations and programmes offered to the community.“I can categorically refute any ridiculous speculation about the future of both David and Neil as complete nonsense.“The BCB is fortunate to have such talented, hard-working, dedicated and effective personnel and at no time have their positions ever remotely been under threat. Their efforts are critical to the future of the organisation.“It is more than bizarre to me that anyone might try to suggest otherwise. Both gentlemen are internationally recognised as being world class in their respective fields and we are fortunate to have them, particularly when times are tough.”However, one Board member who spoke to The Gazette on condition of anonymity, said: “We have a little windfall, we’re straight for about a year. With the next Budget, if we don’t get (more money), some very hard decisions will have to be made.”Asked about the future of Speight, the source said: “I think that’s something we are seriously going to have to look at, to be honest. Is he the best person to take the BCB forward?”In a later statement released by the Board, first vice-president, Allen Richardson weighed in: “I was totally appalled at the article and I immediately called the reporter to question why he would write such complete hogwash. David Moore has already proven that he has the ability not only to provide world-class coaching to our national teams but to also continue to improve and enhance our internationally lauded development programme and systems. The country needs constructive avenues for our young people to enjoy and I am happy to see that cricket continues to be a sport that has participation from the four-year-old right up to the 60-plus year old veteran cricketers, coaches, umpires, scorers and other officials.”“I am particularly dismayed at his so called sources questioning Neil’s effectiveness and future when he has not only led the organisation through an outstanding period, completely professionalising and reshaping the model of sports governance and management in cricket but his international recognition is completely unprecedented.“In 2008, the 95 Associate and Affiliate countries elected him to the ICC Executive Board, the highest level of governance in world cricket, a feat never accomplished by anyone in the Americas region. To my knowledge he is also the youngest ever Director of the ICC.”“Furthermore, I had the privilege last year to be at the ICC Annual Conference where Neil was voted in as the Chairman of all Associate and Affiliate countries, bestowing upon him the most influential position and greatest responsibility in world cricket outside the Test nations. The work of the Bermuda Cricket Board is revered and respected from Papua New Guinea to Japan to Botswana and Ireland and beyond.”“It is critical to the successful future of the BCB that the Executive are able to retain the quality of individuals like Neil and David, especially in rough economic times.”