Cheltenham League Meetings

Minutes of the Management Committee Meeting at the Victory Club Cheltenham on Wednesday 22nd February 2006.

Attendees: G Cook, J Crowther, N Oram, L Fisher, A.Stiley, B Hill, M.Lytheer, P Newcombe, T Onions, R.Overington, P.Tustain(part attendance until 7-45 pm),

Apologies: D Barrett, R Attwood, J Hunt,

Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 25th January 2006 were read and accepted

Matters Arising from the minutes.

An email has been received from St Marks replying to the League's request for an explanation for the late start to the Division Two home match with Moreton Rangers on 14th January. St Marks state that their team arrived at the ground at approximately 13.40 and that they are investigating the matter of this late arrival and the subsequent delay this caused to the kick off. They also explained that the administrative difficulties they experienced subsequent to this fixture were as a result of being obliged to utilise a stand in manager for this game, as the usual manager was in hospital.
An email has been received from Sherborne Harriers explaining the circumstances which lead them to being unable to provide showering facilities and assuring the League that this situation is about to be remedied
An email has been received from Hatherley Rangers explaining the circumstances in which the referees for two of their recent home matches, played at the same time, were compelled to share a changing room with a boys hockey team. Hatherley Rangers also issue assurances that they have spoken to the Royal Agricultural College about this matter and that it will not recur.
The meeting was informed that High-Tech Rangers Junior Charity Cup Quarter Final with Cheltenham Civil Service III had taken place on Saturday, 4th February as originally scheduled.
It was confirmed that the proposed rule changes for season 2006-2007, as agreed at the last meeting, were to be discussed by the GFA's Rules Revision and League Sanction Committee on Thursday, 23rd February.

Correspondence:

Reported for Discussion

Email from Smiths Athletic in which they request an apology for the worry that they were caused by receiving a telephone call from the League to inform them that they had not paid an outstanding fine. It was pointed out to Smiths in this call that, if the matter was not resolved by 6.00 pm the next day, the club would be suspended from the Cheltenham League. Subsequently, it became apparent that this matter related to an administrative error on behalf of the League.
Reply sent to Smiths, pointing out that Mr Les Fisher, had already apologised for this error on the League's behalf and that it was assumed that this matter was now closed
Email from Sherborne Harriers asking the League for the reimbursement of the £15 fee and expenses that they paid to Referee Chris Burridge when Finlay Rovers failed to attend their first round Minor Charity Cup tie in December.
It was agreed that this claim for reimbursement was reasonable and that the League should pay the £15 claimed directly to Sherborne Harriers. This would then be charged to Finlay Rovers.
Email received from Cheltenham Borough Council confirming the fact that payment of the amount invoiced for pitches used up until December, for which a final demand had been issued, had been received. It was noted that the Council are now making active efforts to build bridges with the League following the difficulties experienced last year.
Email from Sherborne Harriers requesting permission to cancel their match against Tewkesbury Town on April 15th because this is Easter Saturday and they will have a large number of players absent
Reply sent pointing out that this match is a Sherborne Harriers home game and suggesting that Sherborne Harriers two matches with Tewkesbury Town are switched, so that Sherborne Harriers play at home on March 18th and then away on the rearranged date in April
Further email received from Sherborne Harriers, suggesting that they might be able to field a side on April 15th after all.
Email from AFC Southside giving details of the background to the postponement of their Division 5 match away to Finlay Rovers Reserves on Saturday, February 18th.
It was noted that the referee had made a report to the Referees Secretary on the day in question with regard to the factors that lead to the postponement of this game. The Referee had commented that he did not believe any blame should be ascribed to Finlay Rovers and the meeting accepted this assessment. It was agreed, however, that the fitness of Finlay Rovers home facilities for further and future Cheltenham League matches would be discussed later on the agenda when the club was due to be in attendance.
Email from Belmore Jags asking for the League's permission to display a new sponsor name on their shirts and providing a sample of the related artwork.
This was agreed
Letter from Woodmancote requesting permission to play Steven Cheal in their Division Four side. Mr Cheal has played 15 league games for Chipping Norton this season. At the date of the meeting, Chipping Norton Town had played 28 games in the Hellenic League this season.
It was confirmed that Steven Cheal had not been a contract player at Chipping Norton Town and, as a consequence, the meeting could envisage no impediment to Mr Cheal playing in the Cheltenham League so long as he was registered by March 1st and satisfied all other criteria relating to the qualification of players.

Correspondence Notified to the Meeting but not discussed

Email from AC Olympia informing the League that their first choice colours would now be all navy blue. Their second choice colours are now light blue shirts, dark blue shorts and white socks
Email from AC Olympia requesting FA Cup Final tickets
Email from Tewkesbury Dynamos requesting FA Cup Final Tickets
Email from Finlay Rovers, confirming receipt of the letter from the League which detailed the League's requirement that Finlay Rovers attend a hearing at the Management Committee meeting to be held on Wednesday, 22nd February, 2006. This email also confirmed that Finlay Rovers would attend this meeting at 7.45 pm, as requested.
Email from Smiths Athletic, informing the League that the Club's reserve side had been drawn at home to Athletico Severn in the Junior County Cup and that this would require their home League game with Northleach Town to be postponed.
Email from Gaffers informing the League of the absence of their secretary between February 1st and February 17th
Email from AFC Southside, reiterating the concerns they articulated at the clubs meeting with regard to the matter of away sides refusing to play matches for which the home side had provided a stand in referee
Reply sent, assuring AFC Southside of the fact that, if a match was postponed because of a failure to agree on a substitute referee, the League Management Committee would decide which club was at fault and act accordingly.
Email from Cheltenham Civil Service, requesting permission to play Symon King in their fourth team.
Email from Bredon asking for permission to play J.Christian in Bredon's second team. The player has already played in more than half the League games of the 1st team
Reply sent requesting further details as required by League Rule 8(P)
Further email received from Bredon asking if they needed to detail the 1st team appearances of every player for whom they wished to gain permission in order to allow them to play in their 2nd Team
Reply sent confirming that these were the League's requirements
Email from AC Olympia in response to a direct query, stating that the tilt on the Minor Charity Cup, as returned by them at the end of January, was extant when they were awarded the trophy last May. AC Olympia also provided photographic evidence to support this.
Reply sent thanking AC Olympia for their co-operation in this matter and apologising, on the League's behalf, for presenting the club with a less than perfect trophy.
Letter from Martin Bick making enquiries with regard to applying for membership of the Cheltenham League for season 2006-2007.
Reply sent including an entry form and copy of the League Declaration form
Email from Winchcombe Town querying the eligibility of D Tremlett, who played for Hatherley Rangers in the Quarter Final of the Senior Charity Cup at Winchcombe on Saturday, 4th February
Reply sent asking Winchcombe to confirm that the player's name had appeared on the teamsheet and the name of the referee
Email from Smiths Athletic querying the proposed date and arrangements for the Senior Charity Cup Semi Final
Reply sent detailing the League's intention to hold the Senior Cup Semi Finals under lights at neutral venues during the course of March
Letter received from Cheltenham Civil Service requesting permission to play Ian Jervis in their second team from Saturday, 11th February. In their submission, Cheltenham Civil Service detailed the fact that Ian Jervis had played in 9 of their first team's 17 games so far this season.
Decision communicated by telephone that permission would not be granted as Cheltenham Civil Service were playing Naunton Park on Saturday, 11th February in a top of the table match. It was pointed out to Cheltenham Civil Service at the same time, however, that so long as the first team played on February 11th, Ian Jervis would be eligible for the second team in any event on Saturday, 18th February
Emails from Tewkesbury Dynamos explaining the damage that had been noticed to the Division Five trophy and the disappearance of the box that contained it
Letter from Mr & Mrs A Holmes, requesting an application form and any other relevant information regarding the registration of a new team into the League for next season
Reply sent, requesting more information of the club involved and enclosing copies of the entry form, declaration form and handbook
Letter from Tewkesbury YMCA apologising for not having returned the Division 4 trophy and giving details of the fact that they have passed the cup onto Phil Tustain

Rule Offences:

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 5I: Failure to make payment of invoices within 14 days
i. Late Payment of Invoices: Fine £15: Invoices due on 23/01/06: Northway (Invoice 75A, £5, paid 28/01/06),
ii. Late Payment of Invoices: Fine £15: Invoices due on 13/02/06: Sherborne Harriers (Invoice 1b, £5, paid 17/02/06), Belmore Jags (Invoice 97a, £35. Paid 17/02/06)

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 10b - Late Kick-offs (Away team) 21/01/06 - Div2 Finlay Rovers (15 minutes late - fine £8)

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 10f - failure to fulfil a fixture:
Minimum Fine £20 and 4 points deducted: 18/02/2006 - Div 2 Rowanfield United

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: 21/01/06 - Div 3 Falcons (No referee named when P. Pawsey), Div 4 Tewkesbury Dynamos (stated P.Harding when P . Langley); 28/01/06 - Div 2 Moreton Rangers (unreadable referees name but obviously not the match referee J.Marston), 04/02/06 - Div 2 Northleach Town (name no referee when W.Gibbard)
No Referees Marks: 04/02/06 Div 3 Falcons, Div 4 Hatherley Rangers; 11/02/06 - Div 3 Falcons, Div 4 Charlton Kings
No Sportsmanship Marks: 04/02/06 - Div 2 Rowanfield United
Incorrect Score: 21/1/06 Div 1 Belmore Jags (stated 5-1 when 5-2), 11/2/06 Div 5 Cleevonians (fail to give a score when 4-3)

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 11(b) - Notification of results or postponements to the Results Secretary: fine £10. 04/02/06 - Div 2 Northleach Town (No result), 11/02/06 - Div 1 Northway (No Result), Div 2 Finlay Rovers (No Result), 18/02/06 - Div 2 Northleach Town (No result), Div 5 Churchdown Panthers (No Result)

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 11c - late result cards. Fine £10: 11/02/2006 - Div 1 Belmore Jags, Div 2 Naunton Park, Div 3 Belmore Jags Div 5 Belmore Jags, Naunton Park

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 11(f) - teamsheets. Fine £10. 28/01/06 - Div 2 Bourton Rovers (No teamsheet).

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 13c - no assistant referee. Fine £5: 04/02/06 -Smiths Athletic

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 13(J) - Failure to submit referees cards or teamsheets. Fine £5: 21/01/06 - Div 1 Northway (No team sheets),Div 5 Finlay Rovers (No team sheets), Sherborne Harriers (No Card or sheets); 28/01/06 - Div 2 Cheltenham Saracens (No team sheet from Opponents), Senior Charities Cup Smiths Athletic (No Card), Belmore Jags (No Card), Minor Charities Cup Churchdown Panthers (No Card), 04/02/06 - Div 2 St Marks (No Team Sheets); 11/02/2006 - Div 1 Belmore Jags (No Card or Sheets).

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

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 19 - failure to attend a special general meeting. Fine £5: Charlton Rovers, Cheltenham Saracens, Warden Hill United

Hearing - Finlay Rovers

Finlay Rovers had been requested to attend the meeting to participate in an investigation into the state of their administrative affairs. Before Finlay Rovers representatives were invited into the meeting, the General Secretary explained that the club had accumulated 61 fines during the course of the last two seasons, 39 of which had been imposed so far during the course of season 2005-2006. It was pointed out that the cumulative financial effect of these fines had been £588 which had been payable to the league. It was also noted that this figure was worryingly substantial even if the exceptional fine of £100, which was imposed at the meeting of January 4th, was not taken into consideration. In addition, the Secretary informed the meeting that he had been told, by Finlay's latest Secretary, that the club had also been fined £350 by the GFA over the course of the last two months.
Details of Finlay Rovers' transgressions over the course of the last two years were circulated to Committee Members. In addition, the meeting was informed that, in season 2004-2005, Finlay Rovers played a player whilst he was serving a suspension on February 26th 2005 in a home match with Naunton Park. For this, they were charged with bringing the game into disrepute by the GFA, a charge for which they were found guilty.. It was also noted that Finlay Rovers ended the season with the second worst disciplinary record in the League, behind Northway.
The meetings attention was also drawn to the events of this season, during which Finlay Rovers have been reported by a referee for the behaviour of their manager and survived a vote of expulsion at a specially convened EGM by three votes after they deceived the League with regard to the result of their postponed match with Andoversford Nomads. They have also been the only club in the League to have been suspended by the GFA this season for failing to deal with the paperwork associated with cautions administered to two of their players. The two players received Sine Die suspensions until the caution notices were dealt with correctly.
In mitigation to this, the meeting was informed that Finlay Rovers are currently being served by their fourth secretary since October 2004, which is when Tony Martindale passed away. However, it was also noted that they currently have the worst disciplinary record in the League. It was pointed out to the meeting that when the fines imposed by the League over the last season and a half are added to the recent £350 fine incurred from the GFA, Finlay Rovers have paid at least £910 in fines since November 2004. No precise details are available with regard to any other fines that have been imposed by the GFA.
The delegation from Finlay Rovers was then asked to enter the meeting. The Chairman welcomed them to the meeting and asked them to identify themselves. The three delegates were Mark Boughton, the club's Treasurer, Louise Boughton, the club's Assistant Treasurer and Yashar Nasser, the Club Secretary. Mr Boughton apologised for the absence of the Club Chairman and explained that he had a prior engagement.
The League's Chairman explained that the League was keen to examine ways in which the future of Finlay Rovers in the League could be assured. He informed the club's delegation that they had been close to being called to a Management Committee meeting last season and that the fact that they had been called in now had nothing to do with the motion proposed against them at the recent EGM. He then invited the clubs delegation to give details with regard to what was currently happening with the club.
In response, Mrs Louise Boughton gave details of the club's finances, which were now, no longer, in as healthy a state as they had been at the beginning of the season. It was confirmed by Yashar Nasser that the club's hierarchy believed that most of their current problems revolved around finances and discussions then centred around the means by which the club could recover the significant sums that it was owed by its membership. The General Secretary outlined the procedures that were in place at both league and County FA level and the respective sanctions that could be imposed by these bodies. It was suggested that the club should be having a regular meeting with its membership to ensure that they were aware of the seriousness of the situation and this was accepted. In conclusion, the chairman asked the clubs representatives if they were confident that they could turn the clubs affairs around. The collective reply was in the positive, although some concern was voiced, by the club's delegates, about the club's continuing ability to run two sides. The Chairman then asked the three representatives of Finlay Rovers to leave the room whilst the Committee considered its findings.
Once the delegation was invited to return, it was informed that the club would be required to hold regular committee meetings, at least once a month, and that the club would be required to forward a copy of the minutes of these meetings to the General Secretary. They were also required to forward a balance sheet relating to the prevailing state of the club's finances with each set of minutes and were required to provide the League with a full list of the details of the club's current officers within 7 days of the meeting. These requirements were acknowledged.
Before they took their leave of the meeting, Finlay Rovers representatives were questioned with regard to the postponement of the Division Five fixture with AFC Southside on Saturday, 18th February. The reasons given by Finlay Rovers for the postponement equated with those that had been put forward in a report that the League had received from the Match Referee. Specific questions were asked about the fact that the referee had reported that one goal was larger than standard size. In supposition, Finlay Rovers delegates presumed that this must have been as a result of their attempts to rectify the situation after a vehicle had been in collision with one of the posts. It was pointed out to Finlay Rovers that, even though the ground and its equipment were provided by the council, they retained responsibility for informing the local council of anything that was wrong. Finlay Rovers were informed that, should the League receive any further reports of matches at their home ground being cancelled because one of the goals was too large, Finlay Rovers would be held responsible for the postponement and dealt with accordingly. It was pointed out to the club's representatives that, if their home ground was unlikely to be fit for play, for whatever reason, for a significant period of time, it was beholden upon the club to contact the League's Assistant Secretary to gain his assistance in identifying a suitable alternative venue.

Fixtures

The Assistant Secretary, John Hunt, was absent from the meeting because of a prior engagement but the General Secretary presented a report on his behalf. The Semi-Finals of the Charities Cup competitions have been arranged and details of these matches were circulated to the meeting. It was pointed out that both the two Senior Cup Semi Finals were to be played under floodlights during the course of March and that a charge would be made for admission at these games. All Committee members were asked to attend both these matches if at all possible. The other four Semi Finals, in the Junior and Senior Charity Cup, were scheduled for the first week in April. It was pointed out that, as it was the intention not to charge at the gate for these games, at least two and preferably three committee members were required at each game to ensure that matters were organised properly and that a collection was taken on the touchline. The Assistant Secretary asked that the League's thanks should be passed on to all clubs who had agreed to host Semi Final matches, in particular Bishops Cleeve and Cheltenham Saracens who would be providing the use of both their pitch and their floodlights.
The Assistant Secretary also reported that the Gas Green v Prestbury Rovers Res Division Three fixture had been moved to KGV on Saturday, 18th February as Agg Gardners Playing Fields had been unfit. In addition, the meeting was informed that Hatherley Rangers had requested that their reserves should now play all home game at The Burrows as from 25th February. It was confirmed that Hatherley had been informed that, in instances in which their was a clash of fixtures, Gaffers, who have used Burrows as their home ground all season, would be entitled to have first choice of pitch.
In conclusion, the meeting was informed that there were currently only two fixtures, which had been cancelled, that still needed to be rearranged and this was because they had been cancelled last weekend.

Winchcombe Town v Hatherley Rangers

The meeting was informed that an official protest had been lodged by Winchcombe Town against a player used by Hatherley Rangers in the Senior Charity Cup Quarter Final that was played at Winchcombe on Saturday, February 4th, 2006. It was confirmed that Winchcombe Town had registered this protest within 7 days of the match and that they had forwarded a cheque for £10 to the General Secretary to substantiate the protest. Before the details of the protest were given to the meeting, Mr Peter Newcombe and Mr Bob Overington were asked to leave the room in deference to their involvement with Hatherley Rangers FC. Mr Les Fisher, who was previously the secretary of Winchcombe Town, accompanied them.

Following this, the meeting was informed that Hatherley Rangers had used a player by the name of D.Tremlett as a substitute in this match and that Winchcombe Town had provided evidence, in the form of a photocopy taken of a programme from a Chipping Norton Town home match, that D.Tremlett had started 9 League games from 25 and also been named as substitute 7 times during the course of the current season. The meeting was further informed that Winchcombe Town believed this to be a contravention of the rules of the Charity Cup Competition.

Having examined the evidence provided, the General Secretary confirmed to the meeting that Dean Tremlett was listed as having started in 9 League games for Chipping Norton Town in the Hellenic League this season and that, in addition, he had made 5 appearances in League games as a substitute. At the time of the Senior Charity Cup Quarter Final on February 4th, Chipping Norton Town had played 25 League games.

After discussion, the meeting agreed that, in deference to the available evidence, Hatherley Rangers had contravened rule 6( c) of the Charities Cup Competition. As a consequence, it was decided that the club would be charged under the provisions of Charity Cup rule 6(e), which provides for the imposition of a fine of £5 upon the club and the expulsion of the team concerned from the relevant section of the competition.

At this stage, Messrs Newcombe, Overington and Fisher were invited back into the meeting. Mr Overington and Mr Newcombe were informed of the decision of the committee and given the background to the decision. It was also explained that, because the Semi Final in which Hatherley Rangers had been due to meet Belmore Jags was scheduled to be played on Thursday March 9th, 3 weeks before the next committee meeting, the decision of the committee would not be confirmed until the end of February so that Hatherley Rangers might be given the opportunity to present any evidence they might feel they had which would refute the charges made. It was further explained that, in the absence of any such satisfactory evidence, Winchcombe Town would be reinstated to the competition and would take Hatherley Rangers' place in the Senior Charity Cup Semi Final.

Cleevonians v Churchdown Panthers

The General Secretary reported that he had received a telephone call from an Official of Churchdown Panthers immediately following their away game with Cleevonians in Division Five on Saturday, February 11th. The Churchdown Panthers official reported several matters that had concerned him about the manner in which this match had been conducted, including the issue of threats of physical violence. The General Secretary informed the meeting that he advised the Churchdown Panthers official to submit the substance of the clubs grievance in this matter in a letter and to make sure that this letter, along with a cheque for £10, was sent to the League within 7 days to register an official protest.
In the meantime, the General Secretary contacted Cleevonians and asked them to submit a report on this match. This report was received on Tuesday, 21st February. In this letter, Cleevonians blamed Churchdown Panthers for the disagreements experienced during the course of the afternoon in question and reported that a Churchdown Panthers player was sent off during the course of the first half
The meeting considered this matter and agreed that, as no formal protest or complaint had been made by either club, no further action was necessary.

Northleach Town & St Marks Review

The General Secretary reported that neither club had submitted any minutes since the League's last Committee meeting. The last minutes received from Northleach Town were for a meeting dated 21st January and the last minutes received from St Marks had referred to a meeting held on January 12th. The General Secretary confirmed that both clubs ran the risk of being charged under the provisions of rule 5(h) if no documentation was received from them by the end of the month.
Further to this, it was reported that both clubs had fulfilled all their playing engagements since the last meeting. However, the meetings attention was drawn to the fact that Northleach were still picking up fines for administrative matters, particularly on match days and it was agreed that this would be monitored over the remaining months of the season.

Before continuing with Any Other Business, standing orders were suspended in deference to the time passing 9.00 pm

Any Other Business:

The meeting was informed that numerous cards had been received from the matches officiated over the preceding month by the Senior Referee whose conduct had been the subject of concern at the meeting of January 25th. It was noted that, despite the fact that the Referee's Secretary had contacted this referee by telephone to explain the League's concerns, no improvement had been forthcoming. It was agreed that the Referee's Secretary would write to this individual to stipulate the League's requirements with regard to the completion of Official Referees Cards and that this matter would be reviewed again at the next meeting.

The damage to a number of the League's trophies was reported to the meeting and the meeting was informed that an estimate of £195 had been received for the repairs needed to the Division One cup. It was agreed that repairs should be carried out as required and the Treasurer handed the General Secretary a Claim form to be completed in relation to the Division One Cup

An expense claim for £30 had been received from Cleevonians, in relation to the Division Five match against Tewkesbury Town. It was agreed that these expenses should be paid and that the cost should be passed on to Tewkesbury Town

Mr M Lytheer asked if the Cheltenham League was experiencing difficulties with its officials that compared to those that had been reported in an article in the Gloucestershire Echo, published on February 22nd and which had quoted the Secretary of the Northern Senior League. He was assured that no such problems existed at the moment in the Cheltenham League
Mr J Crowther pointed out to the meeting that Derek Goddard, a sports reporter with the Gloucestershire Echo, was retiring at the end of the month after many years service. He suggested that the League should write to Mr Goddard on the occasion of his retirement and this was agreed.

Mr Les Fisher asked for permission to transfer some of the interest that had accrued in the League's deposit account to the Benevolent Fund. It was agreed that £750 should be transferred.

Mr Fisher reminded all officers that claims for expenses relative to the current financial year should be registered with him by the end of April at the latest

Mr Arthur Stiley, the Referees Secretary, informed the meeting that he had received a report on Referee J Marston from Cheltenham Saracens, who had awarded the referee a mark of less than 4 after a recent match. This report was noted

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 9.12 pm

NEXT MEETING - WEDNESDAY 29th MARCH, 2006

AT 7-15 PM