Cheltenham League Meetings

CHELTENHAM ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Minutes of the Management Committee Meeting at the Victory Club Cheltenham on Wednesday 26th October 2005 following the clubs meeting

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

Apologies: D Barrett , G.Morrison, P Newcombe, P.Tustain

Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 28th September 2005 were read and accepted

Matters Arising from the minutes.

Appeal by Charlton Kings against the fine imposed upon them at the meeting held on Wednesday, 28th September, for failing o ring in a result.. Charlton Kings claim that they rang three League officers in an attempt to report the score and that the General Secretary passed details of the result on to the Results Secretary at approximately 9.00 pm.
Having deliberated this matter, the Committee decided that there was no particular basis on which to reconsider the original fine and so the appeal failed. The appeal fee was retained.

Correspondence:

Email from Smith Athletic expressing their disappointment at the failure of their appeal at the last meeting

The comments made by Smiths Athletic were noted by the Committee.
Email from Jim Harding of the Referees Association, suggesting holding consultative evenings with the Referees Association at which advice can be given for club Linesmen and Referees.

It was agreed that this seemed like a good idea but the sentiment was expressed that, if such an evening was held, attendance could not be made mandatory. The General Secretary was asked to take a poll of opinion within member clubs with regard to their willingness to participate in such an event before proceeding.
Letter from Nick Organ, secretary of Prestbury Rovers, in which he forwarded a copy of the Match Sheet used in the Evesham Sunday League.

The Committee considered the submission from Prestbury Rovers and felt that it was informative. The General Secretary was asked to thank Prestbury Rovers for their contribution
Email from Star, forwarding a copy of the letter that was sent to Northleach Town on 19th September, asking for payment of referees fees for Star's 3rd team manager, who had refereed the Div 5 game between Star and Northleach on 17th September. It is reported that Northleach have not replied to this letter.

It was felt by the meeting that the Star 3rd team manager is entitled to the £15 match fee but not travelling expenses, as he would have been at the match anyway. The General Secretary was asked to write to Northleach Town to ask them to pay this amount.
Email from Winchcombe Town requesting the permission of the Management Committee to allow a player to play wearing a number 18 shirt, contrary to rule 9a

The Committee considered this matter and felt that, within the context of the current rules, they had no remit to agree to this request. It was felt, however, that this rule needed to be re-examined and that the matter would be progressed with the GFA in advance of the next AGM

Email from Falcons written in mitigation against their suspension from the League on Friday, 21st October for the non payment of a fine imposed at the meeting of September 28th. The email asked for the club to be punished with a monetary fine but not with a deduction in its points total.
The meeting considered this matter and felt that, as Falcons had been given over two weeks to pay this fine, there was no reason to deviate from the usual course of action in such cases, particularly as it was noted that the club had failed to pay numerous fines by the original deadline in the past.
Letter from The Referee's Association detailing general safety around football pitches, particularly relating to Metal Cup Hooks on goals.

It was noted by the meeting that this correspondence specifically detailed the fact that, at local level, games could proceed with goals that still used metal cup hooks, even if the Referee had both noticed them and pointed them out to the home side, if both sides agreed to play despite the danger presented. IN such situations, it would be deemed that the referee had done as much as might be considered reasonable to draw attention to the attendant risks involved.

Correspondence Notified to the Meeting but not discussed

Email from Gaffers FC apologising for missing the EGM and the Clubs meeting, which they did because they thought both meetings were on a Thursday
Email from AFC Southside querying which copy of the Teamsheet should be sent through to the League with the Referees Result card
Reply sent confirming the fact that it should be the home teams copies and not the referees copies that the home side send to the League
Email from Smiths Athletic pointing out the fact that the score of their game with Andoversford Nomads in Division Three on Saturday, 17th September was 7-1 to Andoversford and not 7-0 as reported on Full time and asking if this meant that Andoversford would be fined for reporting an incorrect score.

Reply sent pointing out that Andoversford had been fined for this at the last meeting held on September 28th.
Email from Smiths Athletic reporting the fact that their secretary will be on holiday from Saturday 22nd October to Saturday 29th 2005 (Inclusive). Stuart Elbourn (Smiths Treasurer) will be dealing with Smiths Athletic business for
those dates in the Cheltenham League. He can be contacted on Home: 01242-678375, Mo: 07854-827956. Address: 14 Churchfields, Bishops Cleeve, Cheltenham, Glos, GL52 8LL.
Email from Moreton Rangers pointing out the efforts they, as a club, put into the attempts to avoid the postponement of their match with St Marks in September and asking what more they should have done to avoid being fined for not reporting details of the postponement to the Results Secretary.

Reply sent advising Moreton Rangers to appeal against the fine if they felt that their case warranted this action.
Letter from Northleach Town asking why they had only had two referees for their four games in Division 5 this season and pointing out that they were scheduled with two home games on Saturday, October 29th.
Reply sent pointing out that the League was suffering from a paucity of referees this season and referring the club the League's Assistant Secretary to further matters regarding the fixture clash
Email from Bishops Cleeve asking if their Div 1 game with Kings on Oct 22nd might be cancelled because their senior side were involved in the 4th Qualifying round of the FA Cup on that day.
Agreement reached with Kings that this was acceptable.
Email from Bredon asking why the games that were cancelled by St Marks in Division Two during September had not been awarded to the opposition
Reply sent assuring Bredon that all such matters were considered on their individual merits and that the penalties imposed thereafter were done so at the discretion of the Management Committee, having taken all relevant details into account
Letter from Linda Wilson accepting the position of Honorary Historian with the League
Letter from Referee Chris Burridge pointing out the fact that he had cautioned a Gala Wilton player in their Division Two match with Northleach Town who did not appear on the Teamsheet.
Copy of the Gala Wilton match card details differences between the teamsheet and the match card.
Email from Newton Heath informing the League that their Secretary will be not be available from 21/10/2005 - 27/10/2005 inclusive and 07/11/2005 to 12/11/2005 inclusive. Contact for Newton Heath at this time will be Wayne Baker. Wayne's numbers are M: 07967 313526, H: 01242 674851, W: 01242 672277
Email from Tewkesbury Town giving details of a new address for their Secretary. This is 24 Oldfield, Tewkesbury, Gl20 5QX. The Secretary is also now only contactable on his mobile number, which is 07973724251 and does not have a land line until further notice.
Letter from Northway informing the League that they have a new secretary. The details of the New Secretary are Duncan Pearce, 121 Queens Road, Priors Park, Tewkesbury, Glos GL20 5EN. Mobile Number 07956 081583
Letter from Charlton Kings containing teamsheets from their Div 4 match with Bishops Cleeve, in an attempt to substantiate their claims that they did exchange teamsheets for the match in question. Charlton Kings were fined for non submission of a team sheet at the meeting of September 28th.
Letter from the GFA containing details of the draw for the second round of the County Cup Competitions
Email from Warden Hill giving new telephone details for their secretary, which are effective immediately. These are at work, which is now 01386 443436 and on his mobile, which now reads 07989 685512. Home number remains the same.

Rule Offences:

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 5h: Failure to satisfactorily deal with the business of the League

i) Late Payment of Invoices: Fine £15: Invoices due on 26/09/05: Falcons (Invoice 57, £70, paid £60 by 26/09, remaining £10 paid 01/10/05), Naunton Park (Invoice 58, £75, paid £70 by 26/09, remaining £5 paid 30/09/05), Northleach Town (Invoice 59, £95, paid 01/10/05), Rowanfield United (Invoice 68, £15, paid 28/09/05)
ii) Late Payment of Invoices: Fine £15: Invoices due on 17/10/05: Charlton Kings (Invoice 87, £30), Churchdown Panthers (Invoice 82, £15), Falcons (Invoice 86, £10), Finlay Rovers (Invoice 75, £45), Northway (Invoice 91,£20 ), Phoenix United (Invoice 95, £5)
iii) Failure to hold committee meetings and submit minutes to the League as directed: Fined £40 immediately, a further £100 fine to be suspended until the end of the season: Northleach Town.

The following Clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 9a - failure to make provision for a change of kit. Fine £5: 08/10/05 - Div 1 Warden Hill United

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 10f - failure to fulfil a fixture: Minimum Fine £15 and 3 points deducted: 22/10/2005 - Div 3 Falcons.

As this matter had been further considered under Correspondence, it was confirmed unanimously that the charge was proved and that the minimum fine applicable should be imposed.

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 11(a) - failure to complete Result cards correctly. Fine £5 for each offence
Incorrect referees Name: 01/10/2005 - Div 1 Bishops Cleeve (Stated D.Jones when C.Bowen).
No Referees Marks 08/10/2005 - Div 1 Tewkesbury YMCA, Div 2 Moreton Rangers No Score given: 01/10/2005 - Div 2 Moreton Rangers
No Sportsmanship Marks: 08/10/2005 - Div 2 Moreton Rangers
Incorrect Score: 08/10/2005 - Div 4 Gaffers (stated 3-0 when 4-0)

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 11(b) - Notification of results or postponements to the Results Secretary: fine £10. 24/09/05 - County Cup Rowanfield United, Northleach Town (No result), St Marks, Newton Heath (Late Result); 01/10/05 County Cup Finlay Rovers, Finlay Rovers Reserves, Bishops Cleeve (No Result), Charlton Kings (Late Result); 08/10/05 Div 1 Northway (No Result), Div 5 Tewkesbury Town (Late Result); 15/10/05 Div 5 Naunton Park (No Result)

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 11c - late result cards. Fine £10: 17/09/2005 - Div 2 Moreton Town. 24/09/2005 - Div 5 Northleach Town

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 11f - teamsheets. Fine £10. 24/09/05 - Div 4 Phoenix United (Late submission) 01/10/05 - Div 2 Cheltenham Saracens (No Sheet), 08/10/05 - Div 2 Gala Wilton (incorrect player name), 15/10/05 - Div 2 Finlay Rovers (late submission)

In order to allow the committee to consider the matter of the charge against Gala Wilton, Mr Terry Onions left the room. The details of the charge against Gala Wilton were then explained to the meeting by the General Secretary. It was emphasised that the consideration of this matter was made more difficult for the committee by the fact that Mr Onions had participated in the match in question. The Committee was asked to set this aside and consider the matter purely on its merits. In doing this, the Committee decided that the case for a teamsheet discrepancy was proven against Gala Wilton. The General Secretary emphasised to the meeting the need for all members of the committee to be particularly vigilant in their dealings with their own clubs to avoid any compromising situations. The committee was reminded that it was duty bound to report any transgression of any league rule, irrespective of which team had committed the transgression, including their own club.

Following the conclusion of these deliberations, Mr Onions was invited back into the room and the Chairman provided him with a précis of the matters considered.

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 13c - no assistant referee. Fine £5: 08/10/05 - Div 3 Gas Green

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 13h - failure to provide a report on a referee to whom a mark of 4 or less had been awarded. Fine £5: 09/09/05 - Div 1 Prestbury Rovers

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 13J - Failure to submit referees cards or teamsheets. Fine £5: 17/09/05 - Div 5 Northleach Town (no card or teamsheets); 24/09/05 -Div 1 Northway, Hatherley Rangers (No teamsheets), Div 3 Northway (No teamsheets), Div 4 Charlton Kings (no teamsheets), Div 5 Churchdown Panthers (No card or teamsheets), Naunton Park (No card), Finlay Rovers, Belmore Jags (No teamsheets); 08/10/05 - Div 1 Northway (No teamsheets), Div 2 Finlay Rovers (No Card or Sheets), Div 3 Andoversford Nomads (No teamsheets for away side), Div 4 Gas Green (No card or Sheets), Div 5 Belmore Jags (No card or sheets), Charlton Rovers (No card or sheets), Cleevonians (No card or sheets), Northleach Town (Incomplete Club Referees Card); 15/10/05 - Div 1 Tewkesbury YMCA (No teamsheets), Div 2 Bredon, Moreton Rangers (No card or teamsheets), St Marks (No teamsheets), Div 3 Belmore Jags (No Card or Teamsheets); Div 4 Charlton Kings, Phoenix United (No card or teamsheets); Div 5 Bredon (No card or teamsheets), Churchdown Panthers (No teamsheets), Naunton Park (Incorrect club referees card)

It was noted that there were still far too many rule 13 (j) offences and the General Secretary was asked to emphasise once more, in the Newsletter, the need to include the home teams copies of the teamsheets in the submission with the Referee's card to Les Fisher every week.

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 19 - failure to be represented at a Special General Meeting. Fine £5: High-Tech Rangers, Gaffers, Finlay Rovers, Northleach Town

Fixtures

Mr John Hunt, the Assistant Secretary, informed the meeting that there was very little to report on fixtures. It was pointed out by Mr Arthur Stiley that all games on October 29th currently had referees but that there were no referees available for the 2 league matches that had been arranged on November 5th, this being the date on which the next round of the GFA County Cups was being played. This was noted. Mr Hunt also informed the meeting that he was not receiving details of the County Cup draws until he specifically requested them and explained that he was actively attempting to resolve this situation with the GFA.

St Marks Review

The Committee had undertaken, at the previous meeting, to review matters relating to St Marks CA FC in light of the hearing into St Marks affairs that had taken place at that meeting. The General Secretary reported to the meeting that St Marks had sent a copy of their current accounts within 7 days, as required, and had also forwarded a copy of an agenda for a committee meeting, scheduled to be held on October 6th. St Marks had also forwarded a copy of the minutes from this meeting. It was duly noted that both of St Marks sides had fulfilled all their fixtures since the date of the last meeting. It was felt that St Marks were making progress in the right direction and that the situation would continue to be monitored.

Northleach Town

The General Secretary reported to the Committee that, up until the day of the meeting, Northleach Town had not submitted any minutes from Committee meetings since those that detailed the meeting that was held on July 27th. This was contrary to the requirements that were placed upon the club at the meeting of January 26th, 2005, and which were still in force. The minutes received on October 26th, for a meeting held on October 24th, were circulated and it was generally agreed that they were not of the standard that was required or that had been requested at the meeting of January 26th, 2005.. It was also brought to the Committee's attention that Northleach had acquired 17 fines prior to this meeting and that they had now acquired a further 7 fines at this meeting. It was pointed out to the meeting that many of these fines were for administrative, rather than playing, matters and that it appeared that the organisation of the club had still not been addressed. Mr Les Fisher, the League's Treasurer, confirmed this by informing the meeting that he had received a telephone call from someone purporting to be connected with Northleach Town, who had rung him to find out how much Northleach Town owed the League. The call was necessary, so Mr Fisher was informed, because the administration at Northleach had, once again, completely changed, although the Secretary of the club was still Karen Heaps.

It was decided that Northleach Town should be called to the next meeting, to be held on November 30th, to account for their record with fines this season to date and to explain the current administrative structure of the club.

Any Other Business:

Mr Les Fisher presented the meeting with a financial report showed that the League had assets of £18, 928.64. £5,852.53 of this was in the current account and it was proposed that £3000 of this should be moved to the investment account. This was agreed. The committee was asked to consider ways in which this money may be utilised to the greater good of the League as a whole.

Mr Fisher also asked that it be emphasised in the Newsletter that payments of fines sent to him through the post must be made by cheque and not cash.

The General Secretary asked if it was a requirement of the committee for a review of rule 13(j) to be conducted and this was confirmed.

Mr John Crowther informed the meeting that Mr Les Elsworthy, formerly an active member of the League, was seriously unwell and currently in Delancey Hospital. The Chairman confirmed that a letter and card had been sent to Mr Elsworthy on the League's behalf.

The General Secretary informed the meeting that flowers had been sent to Mr Peter Jurd's widow on the occasion of the first anniversary of his death

The meeting was informed that various league artefacts had been passed to Linda Wilson, the League's New honorary Historian, so that she could make a start on her new duties

The General Secretary brought the meetings attention to an article that had appeared in the Gloucestershire Echo that concerned Cleevonians FC. In this article, it was detailed that Cleevonians were being deprived of the opportunity to play at Bishops Cleeve Playing fields because Bishops Cleeve Parish Council required them to have £5,000,000 public liability. The article explained that Cleevonians could not afford the premiums for this amount of cover, as insurance for £500,00 was already costing them a premium of £170.
The meeting was informed by the Chairman that he had confirmed with the GFA that the mandatory premium of £23 paid by each club as part of their fees for affiliation with the GFA gave cover to each club of £5,000,000 under public liability insurance. Mr Bob Attwood also explained to the meeting that Cheltenham Borough Council, who control the usage of Swindon Village playing fields, which were being utilised by Cleevonians for their home matches, also required each club to have £5,000,000 cover for Public Liability.
It was therefore agreed that the General Secretary should be instructed to write to Cleevonians to point out the fact that they were already covered for the requisite amount of public liability insurance. He was also asked to write to the Gloucestershire Echo to point out the salient facts in this case.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 8.55 pm

NEXT MEETING - WEDNESDAY 30th NOVEMBER 2005