Cheltenham League Meetings

Minutes of the Management Committee Meeting at the Victory Club Cheltenham on Wednesday 30th March 2005 at 7-15 pm

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

Apologies: D Barrett

Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday the 23rd February 2005 were read and accepted

Matters Arising from the minutes.

It was confirmed to the meeting that matters with regard to Charlton Kings are progressing and that this progress is being monitored.

Correspondence:

Reported for Discussion:

Email from Cheltenham Civil Service requesting that they be allowed to submit a registration form for a player already registered with Stanton prior to the deadline of March 1st, on the understanding that it will not be processed until Stanton's players have been released from their obligations to the League.
Reply sent stating that the League cannot accept a registration form for a player already registered to another club under any circumstances and referring to League Rule 8(L) which gives the Management Committee the dispensation to review all requests for registration after March 1st in special circumstances. The Secretary was instructed to inform Cheltenham Civil Service that, as Stanton had now discharged their liabilities to the League, Registration forms for their former players could now be submitted for consideration
Undated letter from Stanton confirming their resignation from the League and issuing thanks to the Officers of the League for all their help and to the clubs that they have played over the last few seasons
Email from Naunton Park reporting their suspicions that Finlay Rovers had played an ineligible player in the Div 3 match against Naunton Park on February 26th. Naunton Park won the game 3-1 but became aware during the first half that a player named Paul Griffiths was being referred to, even though he was known to be suspended by the GFA. This was reported to the referee, Pete Langley, at half time. In the second half, specific reference was made to Paul Griffiths by the Finlay Rovers players in relation to their number 4, in the hearing of both the Naunton Park Secretary and the Referee.
The meeting was informed that this matter was now under the jurisdiction of the GFA and further developments were awaited.
Email from Gala Wilton reporting that Nick Organ had played in goal for Prestbury Rovers Reserves against Gala Wilton Reserves on March 5th, 2005. At the time of this game, Nick Organ had played in all 13 of Prestbury Rovers first team games in Division One
Letter from Prestbury Rovers giving the reasons why they felt that it was permissible to play Nick Organ in the reserve team game on March 5th 2005. This is due to their interpretation of rule 8(p), specifically the last 8 lines on Page 21 of the League Handbook, beginning "After the last day of February".
In order that the Management Committee might be able to discuss this issue, 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.
Having considered submissions from both clubs, the meeting found that Prestbury Rovers had played Nick Organ in contravention of all stipulations contained within rule 8(p). It was acknowledged, however, that, in doing so, they had not attempted to deceive. The meeting decided that the three points gained by Prestbury Rovers from the fixture in question should be deducted from their total in Division Three. In addition, it was decided that Prestbury Rovers would be fined £15 and that the game would be ordered to be replayed.
Email from Naunton Park explaining the circumstances in which they came to be reported by Referee Peter Langley for playing with 10 men and not providing a linesman in the match against Finlay Rovers.
The meeting found that the case against Naunton Park was substantiated with regard to their failure to provide an Assistant Referee for the whole match but decided that no further action should be taken with regard to them playing with 10 men.
Email from Peter Base of Cheltenham Borough Council advising that it is their intention to remove football pitches at the Burrows, Naunton Park and Swindon Village in preparation for the coming cricket season
Letter from St Marks explaining that they had been compelled to cancel their Div 2 fixture on March 19th with Cheltenham Saracens as they had been unable to raise a team.
The meeting was informed that St Marks fulfilled their Div 3 fixture on March 19th, in contravention of the requirements of rule 10(f) on, p26 of the current handbook, which stipulates the order of precedence in which fixtures must be undertaken. It was noted that the maximum fine for this offence was £25
Having considered the circumstances, the meeting decided that the standard fine of £15 and three points deducted should be imposed on St Marks in Division Two and that a further fine of £10 should be imposed for failing to fulfil fixtures in the order of precedence required.
Email from Prestbury Rovers requesting permission to register a player for their remaining games.
The meeting was informed that Prestbury Rovers had registered 48 players during the course of the season, two of whom had subsequently transferred. Of the remaining 46, only three appeared not to have played regularly. It was felt, therefore, that there were no grounds for giving special permission for late registration in this case and so the request was refused.
Email from Woodmancote explaining the circumstances in which their Division Four match with Tewkesbury YMCA was postponed on Saturday, 26th March. The officially appointed referee failed to turn up and Tewkesbury YMCA refused to agree to either the Woodmancote manager or a qualified referee who happened to be there.
Email from Tewkesbury YMCA explaining their reasons for refusing to play the Division Four match with Woodmancote under the control of a stand in referee
The meeting noted the contents of Rule 13(b) and decided that no further action could be taken
Email from Belmore Jags detailing the circumstances in which their Division Two match against Bredon Reserves was cancelled on Saturday, 26th March whilst their Reserve Team's Division Four match, away to Bredon III, was played. Bredon did not inform anyone that they would not be fulfilling the Div 2 match and it was only when Belmore Jags Reserves arrived at Bredon that it was mentioned to them that Bredon's Reserve side would not be travelling to play Belmore Jags first team. When this news was relayed to Belmore Jags first team, manager and secretary Jim Hughes rang the League Assistant Secretary, John Hunt, who found out at length that, as Bredon Reserves only had 7 players, they were not going to fulfil the fixture. Meanwhile, in contravention of league rule 10(f), the Div 4 game was played, which Bredon won 3-2 to record their first win of the season. According to the email from Belmore Jags, Bredon used 14 players in this fixture, even though they had only named 12 on the teamsheet.
Email from Bredon detailing the circumstances in which their Div 2 away match with Belmore Jags was postponed on the same day as their Div 4 home match with Belmore Jags Reserves was played. They explained that, by the time the 2nd team manager had to admit that he hadn't enough 2nd team regulars, the 3rd team match had started, as it kicked off early (1.00 pm) because of the England v Northern Ireland game. Bredon apologised for the lateness of the postponement and for the inconvenience caused to Belmore Jags
Email from Belmore Jags stating that the first call made by their Reserve team manager was timed at approximately 12.40 pm. It also details the fact that, when Bredon rang Belmore Jags to ask for an early kick off for the Div 4 game, they refused Belmore Jags' request for a similar arrangement for the Div 2 game.
Following due deliberation of the two submissions, the meeting felt that there had been ample opportunity for Bredon to fulfil their Division Two fixture. As a result, it was decided that Bredon should be fined £25 and have three points deducted from its Division Two total for failing to complete its engagement in Division Two. It was also decided that this match should be awarded to Belmore Jags. In addition, it was agreed that Bredon should be fined an additional £25 for failing to adhere to the order of precedence for fulfilling fixtures as requred by rule 10(f)
Email from Star FC drawing the league's attention to the behaviour of Northway Reserves during the course of a Div 3 match with Star Reserves on 26/03/2005, in which a stand in referee was subjected to constant abuse.
The Meeting instructed the Secretary to reply to Star FC and to suggest to them that they advise the Stand-in referee for this match to make a full report to the GFA

Correspondence Notified to the Meeting but not discussed

Email from Hatherley Rangers expressing their desire not to play on December 24th or 31st
Email from Elmbridge OB applying for FA Cup Final tickets
Email from AC Olympia applying for FA Cup Final tickets
Email from Star FC applying for FA Cup Final tickets
Email from Andoversford Nomads confirming their desire not to play on December 31st
Email from Phoenix United applying for FA Cup Final tickets
Email from Mervyn Collins of the Cotswold Journal requesting a copy of the League Handbook and asking that tables and results be sent through to him on a weekly basis
Email from Naunton Park applying for FA Cup Final tickets
Email from Smiths Athletic reporting the fact that their away Div 2 match between their reserve side and Gas Green had been switched to Smiths because Agg Gardners had been found to be unplayable.
Letter from the GFA reporting that the construction of the GFA Website using the latest FA template is now nearing completion and listing the 7 main features. The letter welcomes constructive observation
Email from Naunton Park asking for details of how to proceed with the entry of a reserve side in the league next season
Email from Winchcombe dated 14/3/05, requesting FA Cup Final tickets
Letter from Northleach Town accompanying the minutes from their latest committee meeting. The next meeting is to be held on April 6th
Copy of letter from Hatherley Rangers in which they make application for membership of the Northern Senior League for season 2005-2006
Email from Gas Green requesting FA Cup Final Tickets
Email from Star FC advising details of the New Address of their Secretary, Nicola Draper. This is 74 Alstone Lane, Cheltenham, Glos, GL51 8HJ. Telephone details remain the same.
Email from Phoenix United giving details of their new alternative contact. He is Jamie Knight and his mobile phone number is 07921 909583
Email from Naunton Park advising of a change of mobile phone number for Secretary Dan Midwinter. The new number is 07917 333846
Letter from the GFA regarding open age football. This stipulates that Children in the age brackets under 7 to under 14 must not play and shall not be permitted, or encouraged, to play in a match where any other player is older or younger by 2 years or more than that person. This stipulation will include children in the Under 15 age bracket from season 2006-07
Also, it is detailed that, from season 2006-07, to play in an Under 18 age bracket competition, the player must have achieved the age of 15 on or before 31st August of the playing season concerned.
Finally, it is stipulated that, to play in an open age competition, a player must have achieved the age of 16. This will come into effect from the beginning of the 2007-2008 season.
Request received from Paul Dean via FA Full Time asking for more information with regard to entering a team in the Cheltenham League for season 2005-2006
Email from Abbeymead Rovers requesting information with regard to entering a senior team in the Cheltenham League for season 2005-2006
Email from Bourton Rovers specifying a new email address for Secretary Joanna Herbert. The new details are joherbert@fsmail.net

Fixtures:

The League's Assistant Secretary reported to the meeting that all fixtures had now been rearranged for the month of April. He explained that, whilst this meant that, at the moment, the League Season would still be completed by April 30th, there was now no room to manoeuvre with regard to any rearrangements that might become necessary over the course of the next month.

In deference to this, and the facts that it would not be possible to play the Minor Charities Cup final at Cheltenham Saracens until after April 30th and that it was unlikely that a date would be available at Whaddon Road for the Senior Final until the first week of May, the meeting considered authorising an extension to the season. As a consequence, it was proposed by Arthur Stiley and seconded by Phil Tustain that the season be extended to Friday, 6th May. This was agreed unanimously.

Rule Offences:

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 5h for the late payment of invoices: Fine £15: Charlton Kings, Moreton Rangers, Kings, Belmore Jags, Falcons.

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 8Q - playing an ineligible player: Fine £15, match ordered to be replayed and the 3 points gained from the original match deducted 05/03/2005 Prestbury Rovers

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 10f
i) For breaking a fixture: Fine £15 and 3 points deducted: 19/03/2005 - Div 1 Rowanfield United, Div 2 St Marks Fine £25 and 3 points deducted: 26/03/2005 - Div 2 Bredon

ii) For failing to fulfil fixtures in order of precedence as stipulated: Fine £10: 19/03/2005 St Marks Fine £25 26/03/2005 Bredon

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 11a - Result Cards. Fine £5 for each offence:
Late Result Cards: 12/02/2005 - Div 1 Hatherley Rangers. 26/02/2005 - Div 1 Hatherley Rangers
Incorrect Score: 19/02/05 - Div 2 Cheltenham Saracens (stated 0-0 when 0-2. 26/02/2005 - Div 4 Tewkesbury YMCA (stated 1-3 when 0-3)
Incorrect Referee Named: 19/2/05 - Div 1 Tewkesbury YMCA.( stated M Lytheer when N Bond). Div 5 Star (stated N Bond when J Hern). 12/03/2005 - Div 3 Phoenix United (stated Roberts when A Butler)
No Referees Marks 26/02/2005 - Div 2 Northleach Town

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 11b - failure to phone in a result. Fine £10: 26/02/022005 - Div 2 Moreton Rangers (phoned at 17:50), Div 3 Northway (No Result), Div 2 Bredon (phoned at 17:23). 05/03/2005 - Div 1 Tewkesbury YMCA (Wrong Result). 19/03/2005 - Div 2 Moreton Rangers (phoned at 17:25), Div 1 Star FC (No result of postponed game), Rowanfield United (No result of postponed game). 26/03/2005 - Div 1 Rowanfield United (phoned at 18:03), Div 4 Tewkesbury YMCA (no result of postponed game)

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 11f - no teamsheet. Fine £10.00 26/02/2005 - Div 4 -Bishops Cleeve, Div 5 Finlay Rovers. 19/03/2005 Div 2 Bishops Cleeve

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 13c - No Assistant Referee: Fine £5: 26/02/2005 - Div 3 Naunton Park

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 13J - No referee's Card: Fine £5.00:19/03/2005 - Div 2 Bishops Cleeve, Div 5 Finlay Rovers

Charities Cups

Mr John Hunt, the League's Assistant Secretary, informed the meeting that the date for the Minor Charity Cup Semi Final between AC Olympia and Winchcombe Town had been put back a week, from the 14th April to the 21st April. This was because AC Olympia was now involved in the County Primary Cup Final on the original date. The date of the Minor Cup Final also had to be rearranged as Cheltenham Saracens had a rearranged League Match on the original date. After discussion, this was set for Tuesday, 3rd May.
The League's Referee's Secretary, Mr Arthur Stiley, had prepared a list of suggested appointments for officials for the Final matches and these were presented to the meeting. All appointments were agreed and these were as follows

Referee 1st Assistant 2nd Assistant 4th Official
Senior Cup M. Huck M.Lytheer S.Oakey K.Iles
Junior Cup G.Pearson W.Wain P.Barrett R.Price
Minor Cup V.Prout P.Pawsey C.Bowen J.Coombes

It was proposed that the Presentations of trophies at each of these matches should be performed by members of the Management Committee as follows
Senior Mr Dennis Barrett (if available, otherwise a Cheltenham Town Official)
Junior Mr Nick Oram
Minor Mr Terry Onions

This was agreed

Proposed Rule Changes

The General Secretary produced a list of proposed amendments to League Rules. During discussions on this matter, the time passed 9.00 pm and it was unanimously agreed that Standing Orders be suspended in order to complete the business before the meeting. After due deliberation and further amendment, the proposed rule changes were agreed. The Secretary was requested by the meeting to submit the rule changes to the GFA for approval and, once this has been received, to circulate the proposals to all clubs in advance of the Annual General Meeting in June

Any Other Business:

The League's Treasurer, Mr Les Fisher, circulated an interim report on the League's finances and asked that all outstanding Committee expenses be submitted at the next meeting in advance of the end of the League's financial year

Mr Fisher also brought to the attention of the meeting the fact that St Marks were asking for a rebate on 8 Council Pitches which they would now not use following the withdrawal of their first team from the Northern Senior League. As this request had not been made sufficiently in advance, this was refused.

Mr Fisher concluded by reporting that an invoice had been received from Cheltenham Borough Council which quoted that the league had used 142 pitches up to the end of March. The invoice also applied a figure of £19.80 per pitch to these hirings. Mr Fisher explained that the league had been working on the understanding that it would be paying £18.29 per pitch and had invoiced the clubs on this basis. The General Secretary informed the meeting that he had spoken with the person who had issued the invoice and felt comfortable at the moment that this matter would be resolved. The meeting decided to leave this matter in the hands of the Treasurer, the General Secretary and the Assistant Secretary, who had already made contact with the person at Cheltenham Borough Council who would be dealing with pitch hire next season.

NEXT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING
WEDNESDAY 27th APRIL 2005

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