Cheltenham League Meetings

CHELTENHAM ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Minutes of the Management Committee Meeting at the Victory Club Cheltenham on Wednesday 27th September 2006.

Attendees: G Cook, J Crowther, N Oram, L Fisher, J Hunt, A.Stiley, B Hill, M.Lytheer, R.Overington

Apologies: R Attwood , T Onions, P.Tustain.

Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 6th September 2006 were read and accepted

Matters Arising from the minutes.

In reference to the minutes of the meeting held on August 30th, the meeting was informed that correspondence had been received from Ashchurch Parish Council and that this would be dealt with under the appropriate item on the agenda.

Belmore Jags are still transgressing the rules of the competition on a regular, if not habitual, basis and had recently appointed a new secretary. They were also suspended from the League at the date of the meeting, for the failure to submit a referee's card for a match on Saturday, 16th September.

Correspondence & Referees Reports:

Correspondence Reported for Discussion

Email from Broadway United requesting permission to cancel the club's Junior Charity Cup tie, away to Elmbridge Old Boys, on October 14th due to one of their players getting married. All the other players are guests at the wedding.
The meeting was informed that the relevant fixtures had been rearranged and the Committee endorsed this action
Email from Belmore Jags in response to the message sent to the Club following the Management Committee meeting of 6th September. In response, Belmore Jags acknowledged the £200 fine, suspended indefinitely, placed upon the club but ask the League to consider not deducting points for matches that were unfulfilled by Belmore Jags as a result of the club's suspension at the beginning of the season. Belmore Jags also assured the League that Belmore Jags would now get to grips with its administration.
This was noted and it was resolved to deal with these matters under Rule Offences.
Letter from Ashchurch Parish Council, in response to the letter sent by the League relating to the problems experienced by Northway FC at Ashchurch Playing Fields, particularly at the end of last season in their home match with Hatherley Rangers. In this letter, Ashchurch Parish Council emphasise their support for the club and assure the League that they will be making a decision on the passing of bylaws prohibiting the consumption of alcohol at Ashchurch Playing Fields, and the practicalities of roping off the pitch, during the course of September.
Letter from Ashchurch Parish Council detailing the decision made on the implementation of a bye-law prohibiting the consumption of alcohol at Ashchurch Playing Fields on match days. The council has decided not to enact a bye-law but has suggested that signs, provided by the Council, be displayed on match days stating that no alcohol is allowed by order of the Parish Council. They also urge the club to contact the police if the consumption of alcohol in the environs of the pitch continues to be a problem on match days.
The progress made by Northway and Ashchurch Parish Council in putting measures into place to attempt to prevent a repeat of the events that marred the Division One game against Hatherley Rangers at the end of last season were welcomed by the Committee. Mr Arthur Stiley , the Referee's Secretary, was asked to request all referees officially appointed to matches at Ashchurch Playing Fields to report back to the League on the implementation of the measures proposed.
Email from Belmore Jags in response to a notification of club suspension, claiming that the missing referees result card, which had lead to the suspension, had been sent.
It was noted by the League that the non arrival of the Result Card in question because of the vagaries of the postal system had been accepted by the League as a valid excuse and that, in this instance, the suspension had been lifted.
Email from Finlay Rovers, in response to an email sent to them by the League. This email informed them that the referee for the club's Division Two match at home to High Tech Rangers, had told the league that he had completed the referee's card and handed it back to a Finlay Rovers representative. Finlay Rovers had previously informed the League that the referee had refused to sign and return the card and had said that he would send it in himself. In the email, Finlay Rovers agreed to send a referees result card for this match to Mr Arthur Stiley, the Referees Secretary, so that he might then forward it to the match referee for completion.
Mr Stiley confirmed that a card had been received from Finlay Rovers and that steps were being taken to bring about a resolution of this matter.
Letter from Bishops Cleeve Parish Council again pointing out the fact that Gaffers have failed to pay for the pitch that they used for a pre-season friendly and informing the League that the club has failed to respond to any of its attempts to correspond.
It was agreed that, as Gaffers had confirmed that they had used the pitch in question without first booking it with Bishops Cleeve Parish Council, or seeking to pay for the facilities used in advance, the League would reimburse Bishops Cleeve Parish Council and then recover the monies from Gaffers.
Letter from the Referee's Association, requesting replies to a number of points that had been raised at the Associations monthly meeting in August, which had been attended by Les Fisher on the League's behalf. It was agreed that these matters should be left to the auspices of the League's Secretary.

Correspondence Notified to the Meeting but not discussed

Email from Kings informing the League that they have a new Kit sponsor and that the name of the new sponsor will appear on their new kit, although their colours will remain the same
Email from Belmore Jags, giving details of the new postal address for their secretary. This is 24, Bramley Road, Hesters Way, Cheltenham GL51 7NN
Email from Belmore Jags informing the League that Mr Brian Millican has assumed the position of club treasurer
Email from Woodmancote giving details of the new email address for the club secretary
Email from Churchdown Panthers giving details of the email address to be used for all future correspondence with the club
Email from Craig King, received via the FA's Full Time facility, complaining about the lack of referee's available to officiate at matches at the beginning of the season.
Email from Woodmancote informing the League that their secretary is unavailable from September 16th until October 1st
Email from Star FC informing the League of a name change for their Secretary. Nicola Draper has now become Nicola Steele following her recent marriage.
Letter from Northleach Town containing the minutes from the club committee meeting that was held on Tuesday, September 13th. The next meeting is scheduled for October 11th,2006.
Email from Naunton Park, informing the league of a misunderstanding over kit colours that occurred in their Div 4 game with Gaffers. As Gaffers, who were the home side, had a listed first choice kit of navy and red and Naunton Park's first choice kit is red and their second choice is Navy, Naunton Park took a third, sky blue, kit with them. Gaffers also played in Sky Blue.
No referee's report card has been received from this match.
Email from Elmbridge Old Boys informing the League that the facilities the club uses at Oxstalls School have now become part of Bishops College Gloucester. All details remain the same but Elmbridge OB inform the League that fines will be issued by the authorities if litter is left around the pitch and that these will be passed onto visiting teams if they are found to be responsible.
Email from Belmore Jags, informing the League that the position of club secretary has now been taken over by Rowen Rushworth, whose mobile number is 07867940302 and whose address is 30 Graham Place, Cheltenham, GL51 0RT.

Referees Reports reported for discussion

Naunton Park v Shipton Oliffe, Div 1, Sat 09/09/06: Referee C.Burridge reports that Naunton Park were disrespectful to him with sarcastic remarks after the game and made him wait for his fee, albeit just within the 15 minute deadline.
Whaddon United v FC Electrics, Div 3, Sat 09/09/06: Referee M.Ball reports that large fixed metal open cup hooks are soldered into the inside of the upright of the goal posts.
Email sent to Whaddon United and Cheltenham Borough Council asking for their comments
Reply received from Peter Base, the Landscapes Manager of Cheltenham Borough Council, in which he states that he inspected the 3 football pitches on Priors Farm on September 19th and he did not find any hooks, legal or illegal, on any of the uprights, nor any sign that any had been attached and removed. Neither were there any illegal hooks in the crossbars. He also states that he has checked the football posts on a regular basis for over 12 years and that, as far as he can remember, he has never noted hooks of any sort attached to the uprights.
The General Secretary was asked to communicate the findings of the Cheltenham Borough Council Landscape manager to Mr Ball
Naunton Park v Winchcombe Town, Div 1, Tues 12/09/06: Referee D.Watts reports that this was a very sporting match
Belmore Jags Reserves v Falcons, Div 3, Sat 16/09/06: Referee S.Glyde reports that the changing rooms were not opened until 2.40 pm, that there were no corner flags, that the home side did not provide a match ball and that the home side did not have a linesman. In addition, the referee also reports that the home side did not have a referees result card.

The following details with regards to the number of cards received from referees for each match day were also reported to the meeting.

02/02/06: 24 matches, 20 with referees, 18 cards received.
05/09/06: 7 matches, all with referees, 6 cards received
06/09/06: 6 matches, all with referees, 4 cards received
09/09/06: 34 matches, 23 with referees, 15 cards received
12/09/06: 8 matches, all with referees, 6 cards received
16/09/06: 34 matches, 23 with referees, 15 cards received

Referees Reports Notified but not discussed

FC Barometrics v High Tech Rangers, Div 2, Sat 02/09/06: Referee D Watts reported two High Tech Rangers players wearing stress pants of a different colour to their shorts
Letter sent to High Tech Rangers pointing out the League Rules and asking them to make sure that their players conform in the future
Andoversford Nomads v Prestbury Rovers, Div 1, Wed 06/09/06: Referee M Ball reported the fact that he was requested, by Prestbury Rovers, to witness a registration form even though Andoversford Nomads had already done so. He notes that the explanation given by Prestbury Rovers was that two signatures are better than one
FC Barometrics v Cheltenham Saracens, Div 2, Sat 09/09/06: Referee C.Molnar reports on the fine pitch and excellent venue at the Newlands but comments that it would be desirable for a separate shower to be installed in the referee's room.
Charlton Rovers v Belmore Jags, Div 3, Tues 12/09/06: Referee J.Harding reports that it was agreed by both sides to play 35 minutes each way in this match
Charlton Rovers v Smiths Athletic Reserves, Div 3, Sat 16/09/06: Referee D Watts reported two Charlton Rovers players wearing stress pants of a different colour to their shorts
Email sent to Charlton Rovers pointing out the League Rules and asking them to make sure that their players conform in the future
Winchcombe Town v Dynamos, Div 1, Sat 16/09/06: Referee C.Burridge reports that this was a closely fought, excellent match in which Winchcombe had the better of the possession but only converted chances late on.
Brockworth Albion v FC Barometrics, Div 2, Sat 16/09/06: Referee M.Jefferies reports that this was a hard fought match

Rule Offences:

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 2e: Failure to notify the League of affiliation number by August 31st: Fine £5: Belmore Jags, FC Electrics, High Tech Rangers, Northleach Town, Whaddon United.

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 5i: Late Payment of Invoices. Fine £10

i) Invoices due 14/09/06: Phoenix United (invoice 84, £10, paid 24/09/06)

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 10b:

i. Failure to play a match in accordance with the Rules of the Game: Fine £5: 16/09/06 - Div 3 Belmore Jags (No corner flags)
ii. Failure to provide match balls as required: Fine £10: 16/09/06 - Div 3 Belmore Jags
iii. Late Kick-offs (away team). 12/09/06 - Div 4 Charlton Rovers (20 minutes late - fine £8). 16/09/06 - Div 1 Endsleigh (10 minutes late - fine £5), Div 5 Cleevonians (25 minutes late - fine £8).

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 10(e) - playing with less than 11 players: 16/09/06 - Div 4 Belmore Jags (played with 9 players - fine £6)

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 10f: Failure to fulfil a fixture:
Minimum Fine £15 and 3 points deducted: 02/09/2006 - Div 1 Belmore Jags, Div 4 Belmore Jags; 05/09/2006 - Div 3 Belmore Jags
Minimum Fine £20 & 4 points deducted 06/09/2006 Div 1 - Belmore Jags

After discussion, it was agreed that there was no provision in the rule that would allow the committee leave to consider Belmore Jag's request, as detailed in the letter reported under correspondence, that they were not fined points for the fixtures that they failed to fulfil whilst suspended at the beginning of the season. As a consequence, Belmore Jags were fined according to rule.

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 11(a) - failure to complete Result cards correctly. Fine £5 for each offence
Late Cards: 05/09/06 - Div 5 Gaffers; 09/09/06 - Div 5 Gaffers; 16/09/06 - Div 5 Gaffers
Incorrect referees Name: 5/9/06 Div 3 Bishops Cleeve (stated J.Marston when A.Hann); 09/09/06 Div 1 Northway (stated A.Butler when A.Richards), Div 3 Falcons ( no referee when C.Burridge); 12/09/06 Div 3 Belmore Jags (stated J .Marston when J.Harding), Div 4 Gaffers (stated C.Davis when P.Barratt)
No Referees Marks 16/9/06 - Div 3 Broadway United
No Score given: 09/09/06 - Div 2 FC Barometrics; 16/9/06 - Div 3 Broadway United
No Sportsmanship Marks: 02/09/06 - Div 1 Cheltenham Civil Service, Div 5 - Charlton Rovers; 09/09/06 - Div 3Belmore Jags; 16/09/06 - Div 3 Broadway United
No registration Numbers: 05/9/06 - Div 3 Broadway United; 16/9/06 - Div 3 Broadway United
Wrong Date: 09/09/06 - Div 3 Falcons give date of match( Falcons v AC Olympia) as 12/9/06

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 11(b) - Notification of results or postponements to the Results Secretary:
1st Offence - Fine £5: 02/09/06 - Div 3 Northway (late result - 18:15); 09/09/06 - Div 3 Phoenix United (late result - 18:00). 16/09/06 - Div 2 Gala Wilton (incorrect score - reported 1-2 when 1-4), Div 3 Broadway United (No result), Div 4 Charlton Rovers (Late result - 17:45), Smiths Athletic (Late Result - 17:47), Div 5 Finlay Rovers (late result - 17:45);
2nd Offence - Fine £10: 23/09/06 - Div 2 Finlay Rovers (late result - 18:20), Div 4 Smiths Athletic (late result 17:40)

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 13J -Submission of referees cards & teamsheets.

i. Submission of an incomplete Club Referee's Card. Fine £10: 02/09/06 - Div 3 Northway (No Score), Div 5 Tewkesbury Dynamos (No Score); 09/09/06 - Div 4 Tewkesbury Town (No Score), Div 5 FC Electrics (No Score); 16/09/06 - Div 5 Cheltenham Civil Service (No Score)
ii. Failure to submit Referee's Card within 5 days of the match. Fine £10: 09/09/06 - Div 2 Finlay Rovers, Div 4 Belmore Jags; 16/09/06 - Div 3 Belmore Jags
iii. Failure to submit Referee's Card within 10 days of the match. Fine £10 & club suspended from the League: 09/09/06 - Div 4 Belmore Jags; 16/09/06 - Div 3 Belmore Jags
iv. Failure to submit Teamsheets within 5 days of the match. Fine £5 for each missing teamsheet: 09/09/06 - Div 4 Belmore Jags (2 teamsheets)

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 14b - withdrawal of a team after the AGM. Fine £50: Smiths Athletic
It was noted that the rule offences involving Belmore Jags, as detailed in section (iii) above in relation to Rule 13(J) had resulted in Belmore Jags being suspended from the League for the second time in a matter of 4 weeks. It was confirmed that, because of County Cup commitments, this would not mean the postponement of any League matches before October 7th at the earliest and the Committee recorded its hope and expectation that the new secretary of Belmore Jags would rectify the situation with regard to the missing cards as soon as possible.

Fixtures

John Hunt, the League's Assistant Secretary, reiterated the point that had been made during the club's meeting with regard to the failure of the GFA to notify neither the League nor some of the League's clubs of the draw for the various County Cup Competitions. The Secretary was asked to take this matter up with David Neale, the Chief Executive of the GFA. Mr Stiley and Mr Crowther also undertook to raise the matter at the next meeting of the County Cups Committee, which was due to be held on October 12th.

Any Other Business:

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 8.50 pm

NEXT MEETING - WEDNESDAY 25th OCTOBER, 2006

AT 7-15 PM