Cheltenham League Meetings

Minutes of the Management Committee Meeting at the Victory Club Cheltenham on Wednesday 23rd February 2005 at 7-15 pm

Attendees: G Cook, J Crowther, R Attwood, N Oram, A.Stiley, J Hunt, T Onions, B Hill, G.Morrison, P Newcombe, R.Overington, P Tustain

Apologies: D Barrett, L Fisher

Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday the 26th January 2005 were read and accepted

Matters Arising from the minutes.

Email from Bredon asking for elaboration relating to the failure of their appeal, at the January 26th meeting, against the fine imposed, at the January 5th meeting, for failure to provide a teamsheet in their Div 4 game against Kings
Reply sent stating that the only evidence offered by Bredon was the fact that they used a substitute and pointing out that there are other ways of giving the name of a substitute to the referee than handing him a teamsheet. It was also pointed out that Bredon did not support their appeal with their copy of the teamsheet in question.
Reply also acknowledged that this is a grey area and suggested that Bredon ask the Referee to sign the teamsheet as proof that he has received it.

Letter from Northleach Town containing a list of Club Officials, notice of the reasons for the cancellation of their Div 5 matches against Cleevonians and Star FC and Minutes of the Northleach Town FC Committee meeting held on Wednesday, 2nd February, 2005 at the Red Lion, Northleach. Significant mention was made of the Club's attendance at the League Management Meeting of January 26th. The date of their next meeting is quoted as being March 2nd, 2005.

Hearing - Cleevonians

Cleevonians had asked to attend the Management Committee meeting following the failure of their appeal, at the meeting of January 26th, against 3 of 4 fines imposed upon them at the meeting of January 5th.
It was explained that this had been agreed, even though it was not supported by the rule book or precedent, in order that a more practical working relationship between the club and the League might be achieved. Cleevonians were represented by Mr S. New, Chairman, and Mrs D New, Secretary. It was reiterated to Cleevonians that the appeal process with regard to League Rules was now complete and that, to further appeal against the decisions of the Management Committee on these matters, Cleevonians would have to refer the matters to a GFA Board of Appeal, as per League rule 16. It was emphasised that the purpose of this hearing was to develop understanding and not to either reconsider the penalties imposed for previous charges brought against Cleevonians, nor to bring new ones. This was understood.
Discussions initially concerned the postponement of Cleevonians home matches. Mr New maintained that there was no rule in the handbook that explicitly required Cleevonians to inform the league in writing of the reasons for a postponement when that postponement had been instigated by the referee. He was referred to the last paragraph of rule 10(f) and it was pointed out that it was a requirement of League Rules that each home club provide a pitch fit to play. The League Secretary further explained that, in situations in which the referee deemed a pitch was unfit for play, it remained the responsibility of the home side to provide a pitch. If they could not, they were responsible for the postponement and therefore had to inform the league, in writing, of the reasons for this postponement, as per League Rule 10(f). In support of this explanation, the League Secretary referred Cleevonians representatives to the directives, printed in the November 2004 newsletter, that had specifically detailed the League's requirements of home clubs in the event of a postponement. As this newsletter had been distributed to all clubs 3 weeks in advance of the postponement for which Cleevonians were fined at the January 5th meeting, Cleevonians representatives accepted that they should have written to the League with an explanation of the reasons for postponement on Saturday, December 18th.
Discussions then moved on to the matter of Cleevonians failure to respond to notices of rearranged fixtures that were sent out by the Assistant Secretary on December 24th. In mitigation, Mr New showed the Management Committee examples of pages of incomprehensible data that he had received via email from the League's Assistant Secretary. It was accepted that the messages had not been intelligible and the Assistant Secretary informed the meeting that he had noticed that all users of a particular ISP were reporting similar problems. It was also noted, however, that the first message that the Assistant Secretary had received from Cleevonians in relation to this problem was during the course of the week preceding the meeting.
It was emphasised to Cleevonians that they shared responsibility for the distribution of information important to the conduct of the league and that if this information arrived in a format that was unintelligible, it was beholden upon them to contact the relevant officer of the League to report this fact, derive the information that had not been communicated and develop a permanent solution to the problem. In practice, it was explained to Cleevonians that this meant they should have telephoned the Assistant Secretary, gained the fixture change information over the phone and then asked him to send all future communications of this nature to either another email address or through the post. This was accepted by Cleevonians after which they thanked the Management Committee for their time

Correspondence:

Reported for Discussion:

Email from Winchcombe Town thanking the league for its understanding over the request to cancel a Division 5 game as a mark of respect to the grief of one of their players following the loss of his family in a car crash. In the end, the game was played as scheduled at the family's request.
Email from Phoenix United stating that they have a trophy and asking to whom they should return it.
It was confirmed that this trophy had now been returned to the League's Registration Secretary, Mr Terry Onions
Letter from Malcolm H Davies, GFA Deputy Referee's Secretary asking for the full seasons markings for all referees officiating in the Cheltenham League from 1st March 2004 to 28th February 2005.
Details of this letter had been passed on to the League's Referee's Secretary, Mr Arthur Stiley, and Mr Stiley reported that this matter was now in hand
Email from Smiths outlining progress made on the Peter Jurd Charity Competition. They are in the process of obtaining permission from the GFA for the tournament, which they are planning to hold on Sunday, 8th May
Email from Tewkesbury YMCA giving details of the reasons for the postponement of their Div 1 match v Gala Wilton on Saturday, 12th February. Referee Len Cole abandoned the match following a heavy downpour during the first half. The score at the time of the abandonment was 4-0 to Gala Wilton
Email from Gala Wilton reporting that the Div 1 match against Tewkesbury YMCA on Saturday, 12th February 2005 was abandoned due to a heavy downpour at half time when the score was 4-0 to Gala Wilton. The email requests that the score at the time of the abandonment be allowed to stand as experience persuades that recovering from 4-0 down at half time is extremely unlikely.

In order that the Management Committee might be able to discuss this matter, Mr Terry Onions was asked to leave the room in deference to the interest he held in this matter in his capacity of Secretary of Gala Wilton. Mr Bob Overington and Mr Peter Newcombe also left the meeting having declared an interest in Division One matters as they hold offices in Hatherley Rangers FC
The remaining members of the committee considered the emails from both clubs and decided that the match should be replayed in its entirety. As 7 days had passed since the abandonment of the original fixture, according to rule it is now the responsibility of the League's Assistant Secretary to schedule a new date for this fixture.
Invoice from Grays Engraving for £130 relating to the work carried out on a silver salver and a crystal goblet at the end of last season
It was agreed that this amount should be paid and that the invoice should be passed to the Treasurer, Mr Les Fisher, to effect such payment.
Email from Smiths Athletic giving details of their progress in organising the Peter Jurd Memorial Tournament at the end of the season. The date has been set for Sunday, May 8th, 2005, starting at midday, and the venue will be Newlands Park. The format will be six-a-side and Smiths intend to issue invitations to enter in the near future.
Letter from Cheltenham Senior Citizens Welfare thanking the League for the donation that was made to the Senior Citizens Christmas Tea Parties

Correspondence Notified to the Meeting but not discussed

Email from Finlay Rovers giving details of a new secretary and alternative contact. The new secretary is Nathan Wheatley, 6, Southfield Avenue, Gloucester, GL4 6UD. Tel 01452 503725. Alternative contact is Roger Buchanan, tel: 01452 543340
Email from Cheltenham Saracens claiming that their manager did complete team details on a piece of paper even though he didn't have a proper teamsheet with him for the Div 2 game against Northleach on 22/1/05
Email from Endsleigh requesting that they be permitted to use a business address for correspondence and enquiring after the Supplementary information form. Reply sent stating that they can use any address they like and that supplementary information forms will be sent out on April 1st to all clubs who have completed an entry form
Email from Elmbridge Old Boys detailing their preference not to play a fixture on Saturday, December 31st
Email from Smiths Athletic stating that the result of their 3rd XI game against Naunton Park as quoted in full time was wrong. The result stated was 2-2 when it had actually been 2-0 to Smiths
Email from Cheltenham Civil Service stating their preference to play on Saturday, September 3rd with an early kick off rather than on either of the two evenings preceding this date. Also states their preference not to play on Saturday, December 31st
Email from Cheltenham Civil Service asking for permission for Player Jayesh Patel to play in their second team. Jayesh Patel had played 13 games this season for Cheltenham Civil Service's first team
Email from Smiths Athletic detailing their preference not to play on Saturday, 31st January, 2005
Email from Endsleigh stating that they would not wish to play on Saturday, 31st December, 2005.
Email from Smiths requesting FA Cup Final tickets
Email from Cleevonians expressing their willingness to play on New Years Eve
Letter from Mr M Buggins, forwarded by the GFA, requesting application forms for a new club to enter the Cheltenham Association Football League in September 2005
Email from Cheltenham Saracens giving details of a new email address for Secretary Bob Attwood. This is bobattwood@tiscali.co.uk
Email from Andoversford Nomads giving details of a new email contact for Secretary Kevin Mansell. This is kevin.mansell@ blue yonder.co.uk

Fixtures:

The League's Assistant Secretary reported that the record of Stanton FC had been expunged from Division Five following their resignation from the League.
He also informed the meeting that the month of April was already looking very busy and that most available dates were already being used.
Members of the committee were handed details of the draw for the Semi Finals of the three Charity Cup competitions, along with the dates on which the games were to be played and the venues which would stage the matches. It had been arranged for the finals of the Junior and Minor cups to be held at Kayte Lane, home of Bishops Cleeve FC, and St Peters Field, Cheltenham Saracens ground. These two grounds had also agreed to host the semi finals of the Senior Charity Cup and agreement was reached that all four of these games would be played under floodlights with a 7.30 pm kick off.
The Referee's Secretary informed the meeting that he would nominate officials for the Semi Finals as soon as possible and would bring recommendations for the appointments for the Final Ties to the next meeting on March 30th

Rule Offences:

The Following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 5h for the
Late payment of invoices: Fine £15: Charlton Kings, Brockworth Albion, Falcons

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 10b
i) No first aid kit: Fine £5 22/1/05 - Div 2 Belmore Jags

ii) Only one Match Ball: Fine £10: 29/01/05 - Div 2 St Marks

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 10e - playing a match with insufficient players: Fine £3 per missing player: 29/01/2005 - Div 4: Brockworth Albion - 10 players: Fine £3. Kings - 10 players: Fine £3

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 10f
i) For breaking a fixture: Fine £15: 05/02/2005 - Div 5 Stanton, 12/02/2005 - Div 5 Stanton

ii) Failure to notify the Assistant Secretary in writing of the reasons for a postponement: Fine £15: Stanton x 2, 05/02/2005, 12/02/2005

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 11a - Result Cards. Fine £5 for each offence:
No Score: 12/02/05 Div 4 - Hi Tec Rangers
No Referee Details 29/1/05 - Div 1 Rowanfield United (G Pearson), Div 5 Finlay Rovers (D.Challinor)
Incorrect Referee Named: 22/1/05 - Div 2 Chelt Saracens.( stated J Marston when J Harding). 29/1/05 Moreton Rangers (stated G.Pearson when N Peters)
No Sportsmanship Marks 15/1/05 - Div 5 Finlay Rovers

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 11f - no teamsheet. Fine £10.00 12/2/05 - Div 4 - Kings, Div 5 Cleevonians, Finlay Rovers

The Following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 13c - No Assistant Referee: Fine £5: 29/01/2005 - Div 1 Tewkesbury YMCA

The Following Clubs have been fined in accordance with Rule 14b - Withdrawal of a club or team: Fine £50: Div 5 - Stanton

The Following Clubs have been fined in accordance with Rule 18b - failure to return a trophy by January 31st: Fine £15: Phoenix United

It was reported that Stanton had yet to confirm their resignation in writing but it was felt that the verbal withdrawal from the League that they had issued was substantive as they had not now fulfilled a fixture for 4 weeks. It was agreed that the General Secretary would still seek a formal written letter of resignation, however.
It was also noted that Stanton had incurred fines amounting to £110 at this meeting and it was agreed that no player registered to Stanton, at the date of their resignation from the League, would be permitted to transfer or register for another club until these fines were paid

Any Other Business:

Matters relating to Charlton Kings FC were discussed and it was agreed that these matters should be monitored over the course of the next few weeks
The Referee's Secretary reported that he had received three letters from clubs in support of low marks for match officials. These were read to the meeting. The first was sent by Tewkesbury Dynamos and the other two were received from Star FC. The meeting noted the contents of these letters and requested that the Referee's Secretary should write to the clubs in acknowledgement of their comments.

NEXT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING
WEDNESDAY 30th MARCH 2005

For your Diary the remaining meeting dates are:,
2005, April 27th, May 25th.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING JUNE 8TH 2005.