Cheltenham League Meetings

CHELTENHAM ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Minutes of the Management Committee Meeting at the Victory Club Cheltenham on Wednesday 26th April 2006.

Attendees: G Cook, J Crowther, N Oram, L Fisher, A.Stiley, T Onions, B Hill, M.Lytheer, R.Overington, P.Tustain (part attendance until 8.00 pm).

Also in attendance R Skinner (GFA Football Development Officer, until 8.30 pm)

Apologies: D Barrett, R Attwood, J Hunt

Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 29th March 2006 were read and accepted

Matters Arising from the minutes.

17 trophies were provided to the two Finalists in the Senior Charity Cup Final. It was agreed that the cost of each of the extra trophies should be passed on to Smiths & Winchcombe Town. It was confirmed to the meeting that Winchcombe Town had requested a further 3 trophies.

A Letter had been received from Peter Newcombe but it was agreed to deal with this under correspondence.

It was confirmed that 16 Cup Final tickets had been received by the League and it was agreed to deal with the allocation of these tickets under Any Other Business

Correspondence:

Reported for Discussion

Letter from Dianne Johnson, secretary of St Marks, containing application and declaration forms for next season for both St Marks CA and a new club RSG. Ms Johnson and Mr Stephen Myatt appear as Secretary and Chairman, respectively, for both clubs.
This was noted
Letter from Prestbury Rovers FC detailing the events of Saturday, April 1st, when they played an ineligible player in a Division Three match against St Marks. This player was subsequently sent off following an incident in which he had his jaw broken and which required the police to be called
Email from Naunton Park, informing the League that Prestbury Parish Council had told them that they would not allow St Marks CA to play any further matches at Prestbury Playing Fields following the incidents of April 1st.
Reply sent following discussion with Prestbury Parish Council informing Naunton Park that no such ban had been put in place and that the Division Two match on April 13th could go ahead at Prestbury Playing Fields as planned
Email from Terry Onions stating that Prestbury Rovers had admitted to playing an ineligible player in their Div 3 match on Saturday, April 1st
Letter from St Marks claiming that the incident was at the instigation of the Prestbury player
Report received from Keith Iles, official referee for the Division Three match between Prestbury Rovers Reserves and St Marks Reserves.
It was noted that these matters would be the subject of ongoing action by both the police and the GFA and it was resolved to monitor events until both external bodies had reached a conclusion
Letter from Peter Newcombe in response to the Letter sent to him following the last Management Committee meeting
This was noted
Letter from Tewkesbury YMCA informing the League of their decision to withdraw their first team from the League with effect from the end of the season
The Meeting regretted the decision of Tewkesbury YMCA to drop out of the League altogether, most particularly because the club was a long standing and, previously, highly successful member of the League. The General Secretary was asked to communicate these sentiments to the Tewkesbury YMCA Secretary.
Email from Tewkesbury Dynamos expressing their disappointment at the costs passed onto them by the League at the Management Committee meeting of March 29th in respect of damage suffered by the Division 5 trophy.
Discussions then ensued in which it transpired that these costs had not yet been recovered from Tewkesbury Dynamos. It was agreed that the amount already paid by the club was the fine for returning the trophy in a damaged condition and the Treasurer was instructed to invoice Tewkesbury Dynamos for the full further £72 to cover the costs of repairs..
Email from Linda Wilson, the League's historian, indicating her intention to produce the historian's newletter on a quarterly basis from now on
Email from Star FC asking if it could be possible to include Referee's email addresses in the handbook next season
It was agreed that Mr Arthur Stiley would progress this matter, probably by inserting an extra input area on the Referee's registration form. It was pointed out that this form probably also ought to contain a tick box giving referees the propensity to opt out of having their email address printed in the handbook should any of them so wish.
Letter from Mr Dennis Barrett, President of the Cheltenham League, expressing his regret that he is unable to attend as many Cheltenham League Management Committee meetings as he would like and, as a consequence, tendering his resignation from his position.
The meeting expressed its genuine disappointment at Mr Barrett's conclusions but accepted his decision not to seek re-election at the next AGM. Mr John Crowther had been suggested, by Mr Barrett, as a possible successor in the role of President and, when asked, Mr Crowther indicated that he would be prepared to stand for election. The General Secretary was asked to write to Mr Barrett to convey the feelings of the meeting to him and to thank him for his enormous contribution to the league over the course of the last 63 years.
Email from Phil Crabb, received via the FA Full Time Website, claiming that the score in the game between Naunton Park and Cheltenham Saracens in Division 5, played on 15th April, was 3-2 to Naunton Park, whereas Full Time reported the score as 4-3 to Saracens.
It was noted that this was a mistake on the FA's Full time web site and that this had now been rectified.
Letter from Shipton Oliffe claiming that Tewkesbury YMCA twice played an ineligible player against them, on 25th March and 15th April.
After discussion, it was agreed that Tewkesbury YMCA had played an ineligible player and this was substantiated by the fact that their secretary had admitted the fact to the League's Registration Secretary, Mr Terry Onions. It was decided that, in addition to losing the three points gained from the fixture, in accordance with the stipulations of rule 8(q), Tewkesbury YMCA should be fined a further 3 points and £15.
Email from Referee Peter Daly relating to incidents in the Senior Charity Cup Final between Smiths Athletic Reserves and Winchcombe Town, which was played on Wednesday, 19th April 2006.
The comments made by Mr Daly in relation to this match were noted and discussion ensued appertaining to his suggestions that rules should be laid down, by the League, for the governance of the use and occupancy of dug outs and technical areas at the League's show piece matches. Mr Mike Lytheer had already prepared a first draft of a proposed set of guidelines for the use of these areas and it was agreed that these would form the basis of instructions that would be issued to the competing clubs at all the League's finals and the two Senior Charity Cup Semi Finals next season. It was further agreed that the issue of these guidelines would be accompanied by a stipulation that not to follow them would be a breach of League Rule 5(h)


Correspondence Notified to the Meeting but not discussed

Letter from the GFA containing an application form for FA Cup Final tickets.
Form completed and returned to the GFA before the deadline requesting 2 tickets for each of the 11 applications that were received by the League by the end of March
Letter from the Big Yellow Storage Company informing the League that the cost of its storage unit at the warehouse in Princess Elizabeth Way will be increasing from £20.80 per month to £22.80 at the next contract renewal, which is due at the end of August.
Letter from the GFA Referees Committee confirming the increases to Referees Fees for next season.
Email from Smiths Athletic formally requesting the provision of one additional trophy following the Senior Charity Cup Final and asking for details of the cost of providing such a trophy
Email from Winchcombe Town formally requesting the provision of four additional trophies following the Senior Charity Cup Final and asking for details of the cost of providing each trophy
Email from Smiths Athletic containing squad details for the Senior Charity Cup Final
Email from Winchcombe Town containing squad details for the Senior Charity Cup Final
Email from Star FC informing the League that the club has successfully achieved Adult Charter Status
Email from Prestbury Rovers informing the League that the Division Three match with Woodmancote, scheduled for Tuesday, 11th April, was postponed because Prestbury Rovers were unable to raise a team
Letter from Prestbury Rovers confirming that the club had cancelled this fixture because it was unable to raise a side
Email from Tewekesbury Dynamos thanking the League for passing on the compliments issued by Referee Keith Iles at the meeting of March 29th
Letter from Referee Jim Harding alerting the League to the fact that Belmore Jags were unable to provide him with a teamsheet or a result card for their home match in Division 5 with Naunton Park on Saturday, 8th April. Mr Harding also noted that Belmore Jags did not have any corner flags
Email from Gas Green giving details for their new secretary. He is John Overton, of 210a, Hewlett Road, Cheltenham, Glos, GL52 6UQ. His mobile number is 07769 705663 and his home telephone number is 01242 250860

Rule Offences:

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 5(I): Failure to pay invoices within 14 days: Fine £15: Invoices due on 17/04/06: Falcons (Invoice 40b, £65.79, paid 17/03/06), Finlay Rovers (Invoice 69b, £5, paid 20/04/06), Sherborne Harriers (Invoice 66b, £48.50, paid 20/04/06

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 8(q) - playing an ineligible player: 01/04/06 - Div 3 Prestbury Rovers (3 point deduction & fined £15), 15/04/06 - Div 1 Tewkesbury YMCA (loss of 3 points gained from the match, 3 point deduction for the offence and fined £15)

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 9(a) - failure to provide a change of kit in the event of a colour clash. Fine £5: 01/04/06 - Div 1 Belmore Jags

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 10(b) - No First Aid Kit: Fine £10 08/04/06 - Div 5 Cheltenham Civil Service

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 10(b) - Late Kick-offs (Home team) 08/04/06 - Div 4 Smiths Athletic (15 minutes late - fine £12); (Away Team) 13/04/06 - Div 2 Smiths Athletic (15 minutes late - fine £8).

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 10(b) - Failure to play fixtures in hierarchical order: Fined £25: 22/04/2006 St Marks

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 10(e) - playing with less than 11 players: 01/04/06 - Div 3 Andoversford Nomads (played with 10 players - fine £3)

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 10f - failure to fulfil a fixture:
Fined £15 and 3 points deducted: 11/04/2006 - Div 3 Prestbury Rovers
Fined £30 and 6 points deducted: 22/04/2006 - Div 2 St Marks

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 11(a) - failure to complete Result cards correctly. Fine £5 for each offence
No Referees Marks: 25/03/06 - Div 2 Moreton Rangers, 01/04/06 - Div 5 Northleach Town, 05/04/06 - Div 2 Moreton Rangers, 11/04/06 Div 5 Finlay Rovers
No Sportsmanship Marks: 11/03/06 - Div 4 Gaffers; 25/03/06 - Div 2 Moreton Rangers, Div 4 Gaffers

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 11(b) - Notification of results or postponements to the Results Secretary: fine £10. 01/04/06 - Div 2 Bredon (Incorrect Score. Stated 4-0 to Smiths when 4-0 to Bredon), Div 4 Gas Green (Incorrect score. Stated 3-1 when 3-2), Div 5 Charlton Rovers (late result 5:40pm); 15/04/06 - Div 5 Sherborne Harriers (Late Result - 6.15 pm); 20/04/2006 - Div 2 Finlay Rovers (Result not phoned in)

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 11(c) - late result cards. Fine £10: 25/03/06 - Div 2 Naunton Park, Div 4 Gaffers, Div 5 Naunton Park; 01/04/06 - Div 2 Naunton Park, Div 5 Naunton Park; 04/04/06 - Div 5 Naunton Park; 05/04/06 - Div 2 Moreton Rangers; 06/04/06 - Div 2 St Marks; 08/04/06 - Div 4 Phoenix United

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 13(c) - no assistant referee. Fine £5: 25/03/06 - Div 2 St Marks; 08/04/06 - Div 3 Andoversford

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 13(j) - Failure to submit referees cards or teamsheets. Fine £5: 18/03/06 - Div 5 Bredon (No Card or sheets), 25/03/06 - Div 2 Naunton Park, Div 3 Prestbury Rovers (No Card or Sheets); 01/04/06 - Div 1 Northway (No Card or sheets), Shipton Oliffe (No card or sheets), Div 2 St Marks (No card), Div 4 Gas Green (No card or sheets), Div 5 Charlton Rovers (No Card or sheets), Naunton Park (No card or sheets); 08/04/06 Div 1 Northway (No card or sheets); 11/04/06 -Div 2 St Marks (No card or sheets)

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 14a - failure to return an entry form for season 2006-2007 by March 31st, 2006: Fine £25: Belmore Jags

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with Charity Cup rule 8h - failure to submit a squad for a Final or Semi Final to the Registration Secretary - Fine £5: 23/03/06 - Senior Cup Smiths Athletic; 04/04/06 - Junior Cup Woodmancote, AC Olympia; 06/04/06 - Junior Cup Phoenix United, High Tech Rangers, Minor Cup Churchdown Panthers.


Football Development

The recently appointed Football Development Officer for the GFA, Rebecca Skinner, was in attendance at the meeting and addressed the Committee on a number of issues relating to the County FA's plans for Football Development. Rebecca explained that the main areas in which she was currently involved were the establishment of a Coaches association, the development of the FA's Charter Status Scheme for clubs, wand the consequent holding of in service training for the officials of such clubs. She explained that she was available to help clubs through the application process to become a Charter Status Club and that the GFA was even able to help clubs before this stage, with the running of courses, such as the Effective Football Club Management Course, to instruct clubs in ways in which they might be able to organise and administer themselves more effectively. She pointed out that she was anticipating being able to attend the League's next club's meeting in September and it was agreed that this would be beneficial to the League's member clubs. Rebecca then conducted a brief run through of a Charter Standard application form to demonstrate that the process was not at all arduous and explained that the idea behind the achievement of Charter Standard Status was to demonstrate a seal of approval and the attainment of a recognised standard, which could be taken as a simple indication of a club's standing by potential members or external organisations, such as schools. The meeting was then informed that the Cheltenham League currently had 6 Charter Standard Status clubs and that the latest of these was Star FC, who had gained their charter status within the last month. In response to a direct question, Rebecca explained that there were benefits to be derived from Charter Standard Status but that these were still more visible at Youth and Junior level. She also pointed out, however, that it was unlikely that any application for funding that might be made to the Football foundation would succeed if the applicant club did not possess Charter Status. She also elaborated to say that the GFA was likely to be aiming far more promotions and events exclusively at Charter Status Clubs in the future and that it was planning to hold an adult Charter Status festival at the end of the 2006-2007 season. She concluded by pointing out the fact that there was also funding available to League's, particularly for stationery and IT equipment for the League's General Secretary and Treasurer.

Applications for League Membership 2006-2007

A Summary of the 13 applications that had been received by the League, both from clubs new to the League and, also, clubs who wished to enter new teams into the League, had been circulated in advance and was considered by the meeting. It was noted that, following the mid season resignation of 5 teams, the intended resignation at the end of the season of two others and the likelihood that no one would be relegated from the Northern Senior League to the Cheltenham League, there would be 8 places available in the league constitution for next season. Following discussion, it was decided to further pursue the applications of four new clubs, which were Newton FC, FC Barometrics, Cheltenham YMCA FC and Beeches FC. It was agreed that these four clubs would be invited to attend the next Management Committee meeting, which was to be held on May 24th. In addition, it was agreed to further progress the applications of FC Electrics, Gaffers and Brockworth Albion to enter Reserve teams in the League next season, as well as Gala Wilton's application to re-enter a third team.

Of the remaining applicants, 3 were placed on a reserve list - Tewkesbury Town Reserves, Tewkesbury Dynamos Reserves and Tivoli Rovers - whilst the application from new club RSG was rejected, as was the application from Charlton Rovers to enter a third team. It was explained to the meeting that the General Secretary had encouraged Charlton Rovers to make an application to enter a third team into the League just in case it was considered practical to instigate a sixth division. As this now no longer seemed possible and Charlton Rovers already had a side in Division Five that had finished 5th in that division and which seemed unlikely, at this stage, to be moved up through reorganisation, it was decided not to pursue this application.


Treasurer's Report

Mr Les Fisher informed the meeting that the Senior Charity Cup Final had realised £677.25 net, which was an increase of £130 on last year. He went on to explain that this meant that the Senior Cup Semi Finals and Final had contributed £1,136.05 to this years charitable fund. Mr Fisher then went on to point out what he believed to be the deficiencies in the League's organisation of its show piece matches at the end of each season. In deference to his observations, he proposed that a working party be formed to formulate definite plans for the running of the Charities Cup Competitions next season. This was agreed and Messrs Oram, Fisher, Stiley, Hill and Overington were deputised to serve on this sub committee with Mr John Crowther in the chair. With regard to this years charity cup competitions, it was agreed that the Treasurer would make recommendations for the beneficiaries to the next meeting of the Management Committee, to be held on 24th May, 2006.
Mr Fisher then pointed out that Rowanfield United had not utilised all the Cheltenham Borough Council pitches for which they had been invoiced and it was agreed that they should be reimbursed for any games that they had not played before their resignation from the League. He also mentioned that Belmore Jags had apparently been playing matches at King George V playing fields and it was agreed that this matter would be pursued with Mr John Hunt, the Assistant Secretary.
Mr Fisher informed the meeting that the League's books for the current financial year would be closed on Saturday, 29th April and urged all officers to ensure that any claims that they would be making for expenses should be registered with him before that date.
Mr Fisher asked if the League would be running a raffle at the Junior Cup Final and it was agreed that this should take place.
Mr Mike Lytheer congratulated Mr Fisher on the letters that were sent to Referees who had donated their fees to the Charity Cup competition, which he felt was a very worthwhile gesture.

At the conclusion of the Treasurer's report, it was noted that the time was 9.00 pm and it was unanimously agreed that Standing Orders should be suspended.

Club Review

The General Secretary reported that he had not received minutes from any of the three clubs under review since the last meeting. It was reported that if the minutes required were not received by the end of April, each club in default would be charged, at the next Management Committee meeting, with a contravention of the provisions of League Rule 5(h)

He also informed the meeting that, with regard to playing matters, unfortunately matters had taken a downturn during course of the previous month. Whilst there had not been any problems with regard to Northleach Town, Finlay Rovers had still not informed the League of the result of the game that they had played against Andoversford Nomads on Thursday, 20th April. The meeting was informed that written communications had been sent to Finlay Rovers' secretary, warning him that unless the result had been received by the start of this meeting, Finlay Rovers would be charged under the provisions of Rule 5(h) .

It was also reported to the meeting that, as well as the incident reported earlier which had involved St Marks 2nd team at Prestbury Rovers in Division Three, the first team had failed to fulfil a Division Two fixture away to Moreton Rangers on Saturday, 22nd April, 2006. The reasons given for this were that numerous members of the team were detained in Gloucester following a Stag Party. It was noted that the 2nd team fulfilled a Division Three fixture against FC Electrics on the same day. Grave misgivings were expressed about the manner in which St Marks CA FC was conducting itself. It was noted that the latest events mirrored those which were extant at the time the club was required to attend a Management Committee meeting at the end of September and about which they were warned in the most severe of terms. The meeting noted that St Marks still had three Division 2 fixtures left to play before the end of the season, including the rearranged match with Moreton Rangers.

It was agreed that the General Secretary should write to each of the clubs involved in the strongest of terms and that the Management Committee would review these matters further at the meeting on May 24th.

Any Other Business:
.
The General Secretary Reported to the meeting that he had placed an order with AJ Green Printers for the League's printing requirements for next season. This order covered Triplicated teamsheets, Official Referees Match Result Card, Official Referees Match Report Card, Club Referees Card, Match Result Cards, Transfer forms, Registration forms and Envelopes. He informed the meeting that he had directed the printers to print his own name and address on the new Referees Report Card and urged other committee members to let him know as soon as possible if there was anything else that should be ordered

The General Secretary informed the meeting that the League had received 8 pairs of FA Cup Final Tickets to service the 11 applications that it had received. Before this matter was progressed any further, Mike Lytheer withdrew his application.
Following the conduct of a draw, it was agreed that the following tickets should be allocated.

Ben Hill 2 x £65
Les Fisher 2 x £90
AFC Southside 2 x £65
Smiths Athletic 2 x £90
Star FC 2 x £90
AC Olympia 2 x £90
Tewkesbury Dynamos 2 x £50
Charlton Kings 2 x £65

The unsuccessful applicants were Winchcombe Town and Phoenix United and it was agreed that these two clubs would be placed on a reserve list

It was agreed that the extension of the season to May 5th, which had been necessary to accommodate the rearranged date of the Junior Charity Cup final, also applied to League matches.

It was noted that AC Olympia had won the GFA County Primary Cup at Cirencester Town on Tuesday, April 25th. Mr John Crowther, who was in attendance at the game, recorded his delight at the manner in which the players and officials of AC Olympia had conducted themselves and commended them for being a credit to the League. The General Secretary was asked to write to AC Olympia to convey the League's congratulations.

The attention of the meeting was drawn to the fact that Naunton Park had been witnessed playing a Cheltenham League Division Two match in a full England Replica kit, including the use of the three lions badge on both the shirts and shorts and the display of the single Star motif above the shirt crest, indicating success in the World Cup Competition. It was confirmed that the colours used - Red Shirts, silver shorts and red socks - were the colours that had been registered with the League for this team at the beginning of the season. It was also confirmed that the team had played in numerous games this season in the same kit. After discussion, it was agreed that the wearing of any kit that incorporated the national team crest was inappropriate in the Cheltenham League and that this kit would not be deemed acceptable next season.

It was confirmed that Mr John Crowther would be prepared to stand for the position of President of the League at the next AGM.

Mike Lytheer reported his gratitude to the players and officials of Belmore Jags FC, whom he had refereed recently and whom he commended for their behaviour on the field of play.

The General Secretary was asked to write to Bishops Cleeve FC to congratulate them on their recent promotion.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 9.23 pm


NEXT MEETING - WEDNESDAY 24th MAY, 2006

AT 7-15 PM


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