Cheltenham League Meetings

CHELTENHAM ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Minutes of the Management Committee Meeting at the Victory Club Cheltenham on Wednesday 29th November 2006.

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

Apologies: None

After declaring the meeting open, the Chairman asked the Committee to stand for a minutes silence in memory of Brian Didcote, who had recently passed away. Mr Didcote was a former officer of the League, having served as Referee's Secretary for the years between 1982 and 1991 and he had also performed the duties as one of the League's GFA delegates from 1988 to 1991

Management Committee Vacancy.

The Chairman informed the meeting that the League had received an application for the position that was vacant on the League Management Committee. It was pointed out, however, that as there had not been an opportunity to convene the sub committee to interview the candidate, it had been decided to hold the interview at the beginning of this Management Committee meeting. The candidate, Alan Clayton, was then asked to enter the meeting.
Mr Clayton explained that he was currently the chairman of AC Olympia, who played in Division Three of the Cheltenham League. He informed the meeting that he had broken his leg during a game against Cheltenham Civil Service in March 2006 and that, as he has not yet returned to playing, he was looking to further his involvement in the administrative side of football. He also informed the meeting that he had taken a three year Sports Management Course at degree level and that he now wanted to put this knowledge to good use. He told the meeting that he viewed the prospect of joining the League Management Committee as a learning opportunity as his degree had centred more on the professional game, particularly in respect of its involvement with local communities. He now felt that he wanted to supplement this with first hand experience of the game at grass roots level. He also informed the committee that he felt that he might be able to represent the perspective of the smaller clubs in the League with the benefit of his years involved in the running of AC Olympia.
The Chairman informed Mr Clayton that most of the members of the Management Committee either were, or had been, secretaries of their respective clubs and welcomed the opportunity to consider bringing a fresh view to the committee. Mr John Crowther, the League President, stressed the need for confidentiality and Mr Clayton confirmed that he understood that, if elected, he would be representing himself and not AC Olympia on the committee. Mr Bob Overington asked for more details of what Mr Clayton's degree course had involved and was informed that Mr Clayton had been required to promote the game and study the running of a club at senior professional level. Mr Clayton explained that he had spent a significant amount of time with a League Two club, where he had been heavily involved in the football in the community programme, and that he had also carried this on with similar work with Cheltenham Town in the summer recess.
In response to a specific question, Mr Clayton confirmed that he had no problems with the commitment required of a committee member. He also stated that he understood the need to attend meetings on a regular basis and, also, to offer help and assistance whenever required, particularly at the end of the season with the Charity Cup Finals and Semi Finals. It was emphasised to Mr Clayton that, whilst he would not be representing AC Olympia, he would be excluded from any discussions or debates that either involved the club or matters which might be associated with it. Mr Clayton confirmed that he understood this.
Following the conclusion of the interview, Mr Clayton was asked to retire whilst the Committee considered his application. After a brief discussion, the meeting voted unanimously to invite Mr Clayton to join the committee and, once he had returned to the meeting, Mr Clayton accepted this invitation. The Chairman presented Mr Clayton with a League Centenary tie and invited him to stay for the rest of the meeting. Mr Clayton accepted this invitation as well.

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

Matters Arising from the minutes.

The Secretary informed the meeting that the matter of Andoversford Nomads and the missing referee's result card had eventually lead to Andoversford Nomads being suspended from the League. This was because the referee for the match had confirmed to the League that he had not been presented with a card after the game. It was reported that this matter was now resolved.
The meeting was informed that an email had been sent to the GFA asking them to replace Mr Les Fisher, on their mailing list for the distribution of County Cup fixtures, with Mr John Hunt. The meeting was also informed that enquiries had been made of the GFA Chief Executive with regard to the possibility of putting all County Cup fixtures onto the Cheltenham League Full Time facility, starting next season. This had been agreed in principle and the practicalities would be further examined in the summer.
The attention of the meeting was drawn to the fact that the details pertinent to the League that were appearing in the Gloucestershire Echo had been more reliable and more complete over the course of the last month and that the League tables were now even being printed with the results in the Monday edition.

Correspondence & Referees Reports:

Correspondence Reported for Discussion

Email from Winchcombe Town detailing the circumstances under which the Official Referee's Result Card for their Division One match on Saturday, 21st October failed to arrive with the League Result Secretary and the actions that they were taking to rectify the situation.
It was explained to the meeting that the specifics of this matter had been brought to their attention because of the League Results Secretary's previous close involvement with Winchcombe Town. The meeting accepted the course of action taken in this instance and the matter was, therefore, considered closed.
Email from the Chief Executive of the Gloucestershire Football Association stating the steps that the Association is intending to take to provide a better service with regard to providing information relating to cup draws.
Reply sent bringing the GFA's attention to the fact that the General Secretary of the League had not, by 17th November, received a copy of the draw for the next round of the County Cups and asking the Mr J Hunt replace Mr L Fisher as one of the League's nominated receivers of the draw.
It was noted by the meeting that, as yet, there had not been any evidence of an alteration to GFA processes and that, for the time being, things were being sorted out by the League rather than the County association. The General Secretary informed the meeting that he had asked the County FA Chief Executive whether or not it would be acceptable to input the complete draw, for the 4 County Cup competitions that affect Cheltenham League clubs, into the League's Full Time facility from the beginning of next season. The Chief Executive had agreed this in principle and the General Secretary informed the meeting that this was a matter that would now be progressed further during the close season.

Email from Broadway United asking the League Registration Secretary to forward details of their registration numbers as a matter of urgency and stating that they had sent a stamped addressed envelope to his home address 5 days before the email to facilitate the dispatch of this information.
It was confirmed by the Registration Secretary that this matter was now resolved.

Letter from Belmore Jags, received on Friday, November 10th, giving details of the club's officers and finances, as required by the decision taken at the Management Committee meeting held on October 25th

Email received from Philip Crabb, Treasurer of Belmore Jags, giving provisional notice of the clubs intention to withdraw its 3rd team from the Cheltenham League forthwith. This email was sent on Saturday, 18th November.
Letter Received from Belmore Jags, signed by the Club Secretary, informing the League of the club's decision to withdraw its third team from Division Four. The letter is dated 20/11/06
It was unanimously agreed to accept Belmore Jags withdrawal of their third team from Division 4
It was noted by the meeting that, in the information sent to the League on November 10th, Belmore Jags had listed 68 players whom they considered to be registered with them at that juncture. The Registration Secretary also informed the meeting that, since the request to withdraw their third team from Division 4 had been received, Belmore Jags had asked for another book of Registration Forms, which had now been dispatched.
Concerns were voiced that, as Belmore Jags now only had two teams, there might be a significant number of players requiring transfers. It was agreed that Belmore Jags should be given the opportunity of cancelling the registrations of nominated individuals, so that these players might then re-register with another club, if they chose to do so. The General Secretary was asked to write to Belmore Jags and request them to supply a list of the players for whom they required registration to be cancelled.

Email from Linda Wilson informing the League that she would be moving to South Korea at the end of November and thus resigning from her position of League Historian. She also gives details of the new secretary for Gaffers, who is Jim Wilson, 3, Oldbury Close, Cheltenham, GL51 0EZ, mobile 07919 537347 and 01242 693066
Letter from Linda Wilson resigning her position as League Historian as she is leaving the country to work abroad
The Committee noted this resignation and recorded its thanks for Linda's efforts to date. The General Secretary was asked to pursue the identification of a successor in the usual manner.

Letter from the Cheltenham & District Sports Associaition for the Disabled inviting a member of the Management Committee of the Cheltenham League to their Christmas Dinner on Saturday, December 9th, 2006.
Reply sent by the League's Chairman thanking the Association for their kind invitation and informing them that the matter would be discussed at the League's next Management Committee meeting.
It was confirmed that the General Secretary and his partner would attend this function as the League's Representatives.

Email from Charlton Rovers registering their disquiet with the lateness with which clubs were provided with information relating to Referee appointments each week
This was noted.

Email from Referee M Kimber, explaining that he was compelled to postpone the match between Finlay Rovers and Moreton Rangers in Division Two on Saturday, 25th November, 2006 because of a badly waterlogged pitch. Mr Kimber also expressed his surprise that Finlay had not arranged for a local referee to inspect the pitch at an earlier juncture so that he could have been spared a 25 mile round trip for nothing and, similarly, Moreton Rangers would not have been compelled to undertake a fruitless 75 mile return journey.
Reply sent asking for Mr Kimber's assessment of how bad the pitch conditions would have been at noon on the day of the fixture.
Email from Moreton Rangers claiming travelling expenses for this game.
It was noted that the sum claimed by Moreton Rangers was generously low and it was decided that this should be paid by the League and then recovered from Finlay Rovers. The General Secretary was also asked to confirm with Finlay Rovers that Mr Kimber was paid his travel expenses as well as half his match fee, as per League Rule 13(b)

Email from Elmbridge Old Boys, with a letter attached, reporting an incident at their match with Whaddon United Reserves in Division Four on Saturday, November 25th, 2006.
The contents of the letter from Elmbridge Old Boys were noted but it was confirmed by the meeting that, as this matter had been reported to the GFA, the League was not able to consider whether or not to take any action of its own until the completion of the County FA's Disciplinary process.

Correspondence Notified to the Meeting but not discussed

Email from Phoenix United detailing a change of colours for the club. Their new colours are Navy Blue Shirts, Navy Blue Shorts and Red Socks for first choice and Red Shirts, Black Shorts and Black Socks for change kit.
Email from Finlay Rovers, containing the minutes from the club committee meeting held on October 19th.
Email from Brockworth Albion stressing the actions that the club took to attempt to contact Mr Keith Iles to inform him of the location of their ground prior to the game at which he was due to officiate when he became lost and failed to turn up
Email from Bourton Rovers, detailing a change of kit for Bourton Rovers Reserves. The side will now play in Navy & Gold Shirts, Navy Shorts and Navy Socks whilst their change kit will now be White Shirts with Navy Shorts and Navy Socks
Email from Finlay Rovers containing copies of the minutes from the club committee meetings held on 24th June, 28th June and 8th August. Finlay Rovers state that they had sent these minutes previously.
Email from Dynamos assuring the League that the problems that were experienced at the recent home match against Hatherley Rangers, as reported by referee Mr M Ball at the last meeting, were entirely anomalous and were unlikely to be repeated.
Letter from Cheltenham Civil Service stating that the club will have a new secretary from November 19th. The new secretary will be Paul White, whose address is 217, Arle Road, Cheltenham, Gloucs GL51 8LS. Paul's telephone numbers are 01242 699636 (h) & 07747 727269 (m). His email address is Paulwhite@tridexdie.co.uk
Email from Sherborne Harriers giving further details of the malicious damage that had been caused to their pitch by vandals, as originally reported to the Management Committee meeting of October 25th. Sherborne Harriers also request that their match against Star FC III on November 11th be switched to be the Star FC home match.
Reply sent stating that the match against Star FC could not be reversed as their home ground was already up to capacity on that day.
Further email received from Sherborne Harriers stating that Sherborne Harriers had marked out a second pitch and asking for permission to play against Star FC on this pitch
Reply sent agreeing to this match taking place on the new pitch subject to the agreement, with regard to its suitability, of the referee on the day and stating that a full inspection of the facilities, including the new pitch, would be arranged as soon as possible.
Email from the Chairman of Sherborne Harriers stating that he had resigned from his position and no longer had anything to do with the club. The email additionally stated that the Club's Treasurer had also resigned.
Further email from Sherborne Harriers confirming the resignations
Email from Tewkesbury Dynamos asking permission to display the name of their new sponsors, "The Olde Black Bear" on their shirts.
Reply sent granting permission subject to the usual caveats with regard to size, etc
Letter from High Tech Rangers registering a protest against Cheltenham Saracens, whom High Tech Rangers claim to have played an ineligible player against them in the Division Two match on Saturday, November 11th, 2006. The letter is dated 17th November 2006 and was received on this date, having been hand delivered.
Email from Finlay Rovers pointing out the fact that the club has two home ties in the Charities Cup Competitions on Saturday, December 9th and asking if it would be permissible to start one game half an hour early to ease congestion in the changing rooms.
Reply sent advising the club to liase with the League's Assistant Secretary on this matter, which ostensibly depends on the agreement of the opposition and the appointed referee
Email received from Brockworth Albion informing the League that the club will not have the use of the changing facilities at the Brockworth Sports Centre until mid January 2007. The club proposed that it be allowed to move its home games to John Daniels Playing Fields in Churchdown until that date and stated that it was already in negotiations with Churchdown Parish Council to this effect. The club also asked if the League might be able to provide pitches should negotiations with Churchdown Parish Council not prove to be fruitful
Letter from the GFA, received on November 20th, containing details of the draw for the next round of the County Cups
Letter from Cheltenham Saracens admitting to playing an ineligible player in the div 2 match against High Tech Rangers on Saturday, November 11th, 2006
Email from Endsleigh regarding the various playing matters dealt with in correspondence reported to the League Management Committee meeting of October 25th.
Email from Naunton Park claiming that the result of their Division Four match on Saturday, 4th November, should be 6-1 to Naunton Park and not 2-1 as stated on Full Time
Letter from Tewkesbury Dynamos stating that the result of their Division 5 match against Cheltenham Civil Service on Saturday, 23rd September, 2006 had been 10-1 and not 8-1 as detailed on Full Time.
Reply sent stating that the Club Referee's card submitted for this game and signed by the official agreed upon by both clubs, states that the score was 8-1

Referees Reports reported for discussion

High Tech Rangers v Star FC Res, Div 2, Sat 04/11/06: Referee A Ward reports that High Tech Rangers Management and Supporters were at times abusive and unsporting to opposition players and their assistant referee and that their attitude effects their own players on the pitch.
The General Secretary was asked to write to High Tech Rangers to ask for their comments on this matter.
FC Electrics Reserves v Charlton Rovers III, Div 5, 11/11/06: referee N Newport-Black reports that he was asked to referee this game at the last minute by Trevor Middlecote, the manager of FC Electrics Reserves.
It was noted that the person quoted by Mr Newport-Black as being the manager of FC Electrics Reserves was the same person registered by Churchdown Panthers as their secretary. It was confirmed that, in the interests of the integrity of the competition, this was not acceptable, most especially because both FC Electrics Reserves and Churchdown Panthers were both in Division Five. The General Secretary was asked to write to Mr Middlecote to express the League's views on this matter and to ask him to confirm which, if either, position he was intending to continue as the League would not accept that he fulfilled both positions at the same time. The General Secretary was also asked to stress to Mr Middlecote that, until his decision on this matter was communicated to the League, the League would not recognise him as Secretary of Churchdown Panthers.
Moreton Rangers v FC Barometrics, Div 2, 18/11/06: Referee J Marston reports that at the end of the match, offensive comments were made to him by an official of FC Barometrics and that a FC Barometrics player entered his changing room after the game and made offensive remarks to him.
It was noted that FC Barometrics had also been reported by another referee for their behaviour, along with that of their opponents, Woodmancote, in another Division Two match in November and the General Secretary was asked to write to FC Barometrics to ask for their comments on this matter.

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

Match Day Breakdown

21/10/06: 33 matches, 23 with referees, 14 cards received.
28/10/06: 10 matches, all with referees, 7 cards received
04/11/06: 18 matches, 11 with referees, 7 cards received
11/11/06: 34 matches, 28 with referees, 15 cards received
18/11/06: 34 matches, 23 with referees, 14 cards received

Referees Reports Notified but not discussed

Tewkesbury YMCA v Woodmancote, Div 2, Sat 21/10/06: Referee J Marston reports that the dressing rooms at Tewkesbury School were not opened until just before kick off, that all teams were obliged to change at the pitch side and that the pitch markings were very poor. Mr Marston does exonerate Tewkesbury YMCA from any blame, however.
Charlton Rovers v Winchcombe Town, Div 3, Sat 21/10/06: Referee E.Baker reports that this match was contested between two well behaved teams in testing weather conditions
Woodmancote v Northleach Town, Div 2, Sat 28/10/06: Referee D Watts reported that a Woodmancote player was wearing black undershorts beneath blue shorts
Email sent to Woodmancote reminding them of the requirements of League Rule 9(a)
Charlton Rovers Res v Elmbridge Old Boys, Div 4, Sat 04/11/06: referee W Wain reports that Charlton Rovers did not have the correct card for the referee to fill in and obliged him to complete an old one
FC Barometrics v Woodmancote, Div 2, Sat 11/11/06: referee C Burridge reports that this was a very highly charged match which ended in a 2-2 drw. Discipline was poor on both sides including club officials
Kings Reserves v Cheltenham Saracens IV, Div 4, Sat 11/11/06: referee E Baker reports that behaviour was good on both sides
Naunton Park Reserves v Tivoli Rovers, Div 4, 11/11/06: referee J Marston reports that he cautioned 2 Naunton Park players, one of whom gave his name as A.Calouri. The referee points out that when it came to filling out the report card, he noticed that A.Calouri does not appear on the teamsheet for Naunton Park Reserves
Gaffers Reserves v Gala Wilton III, Div 5, 11/11/06: referee A Butler reports that there were no corner flags provided for this game by the home side
Northleach Town v Star FC Reserves, Div 2, 18/11/06: referee M Ball reports that the penalty mark in both penalty areas needs to be established and marked out correctly as one was short of 9.15 metres and the other one was greater.

Mr Ben Hill highlighted the fact that, as well as the relatively negative reports that were highlighted for discussion, there were also numerous reports received from referees of a rather more positive nature, praising teams for their conduct and the manner in which they played the game. This was noted and agreed

Protest - High Tech Rangers

Before this agenda item was considered, Mr Bob Attwood and Mr John Hunt retired from the meeting.

The General Secretary informed the committee that a protest had been duly registered by High Tech Rangers against Cheltenham Saracens. In this protest, High Tech Rangers had alleged that Cheltenham Saracens had played an ineligible player in the club's third team during a Division Two match on Saturday, 11th November, 2006. The player concerned was Colin Clarke, who at the time was still registered for Hatherley Rangers. It was confirmed that a transfer of this player, from Hatherley Rangers to Cheltenham Saracens, had since been completed.
The meeting was informed that Cheltenham Saracens had admitted the offence and that, in mitigation, they had asked that the fact that their team manager had resigned his duties on the Thursday before the match be taken into consideration. This meant that, as no team had been selected for the match at this juncture, two senior players in the side had to be put in charge of matters and they had not appreciated that the player had not yet transferred.
Following discussion of this matter, it was decided that, in accordance with League rule 8(q), it was obligatory for Cheltenham Saracens to lose the point that had been gained from this match from their total in Division Two. It was also decided that the club should be fined £15 and that a further deduction of three points should be made from the club's total in Division Two.

Mr Attwood and Mr Hunt then returned to the meeting and the decision reached by the committee was communicated to them immediately.

Rule Offences:

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 5(I): Late Payment of Invoices. Fine £15

i) Invoices due 13/11/06: Bishop's Cleeve (invoice 17a, £15, paid 16/112006 ) , Gaffers (invoice 15a, £5), Kings (invoice 13a, £5, paid 15/112006 )

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 8(Q): Playing an Ineligible Player. Fine £20 and 4 points (1 point gained in match and three additional points): 11/11/06 - Div 2 Cheltenham Saracens

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

i. Failure to play a match in accordance with the Laws of the Game: Fine £5: 11/11/06 - Div 5 Gaffers (No corner flags); 18/11/06 - Div 2 Northleach Town (Penalty spots not marked correctly)

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 10(f): Failure to fulfil a fixture:
Mimimum Fine £20 & 4 points deducted: 18/11/2005 Div 4 - Belmore Jags

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: 21/10/06 - Div 4 Belmore Jags; 11/11/06 - Div 1 Belmore Jags; 18/11/06 - Div 1 Naunton Park, Div 4 Naunton Park
Incorrect referees Name: 21/10/06 - Div 1 Naunton Park (stated A Kames when A Johnson), Div 3 Phoenix United (No referee named when C Bowen), Div 5 Gaffers (No referee named when P Gilder); 18/11/06 - Div 1 Northway (stated W Gibbard when M Jefferies), Div 2 FC Barometrics (stated M Jones when J Marston)
No Referees Marks 18/11/06 - Div 3 Bishops Cleeve
No Score given: 21/10/06 - Senior Charity Cup Moreton Rangers, Junior Charity Cup Broadway United;
Incorrect Score Given: 11/11/06 - Div 5 Gaffers (stated 2-1 when 2-3)

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 11(b) - Notification of results or postponements to the Results Secretary:
Fine £5 (first offence). 28/10/06 - Div 2 Moreton Rangers (late 5.35 pm), County Cup Tewkesbury Town (No result); 04/11/06 - Div 4 Cheltenham Saracens (incorrect score - reported 1-2 when 1-6)
Fine £10 (second offence).); 04/11/06 - County Cup Northleach Town (no result; 18/11/06 - Div 3 Northway.(no result), Div 4 Belmore Jags (no notification of postponement until 7.25 pm)
Fine £15 (third offence): 28/10/06 - Div 2 Tewkesbury YMCA (late result 30/10/06), County Cup Charlton Kings (no result); 11/11/06 - Div 3 Smiths Athletic (late 6.05 pm)

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 11(f) - Failure to correctly complete teamsheet. Fine £10: 11/11/06 - Div 2 Cheltenham Saracens (did not name C.Clarke), Div 4 Naunton Park (did not name A Calouri, who was subsequently cautioned by the referee)

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 13(h) - Failure to submit a report on a referee awarded a mark less than 40. Fine £5: 11/11/06 - Div 3 FC Electrics (awarded mark of 30)

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

i. Submission of an incomplete or incorrect Club Referee's Card. Fine £10: 14/10/06 - Div 5 Gala Wilton (incomplete card - no date); 04/11/06 - Div 4 Belmore Jags (incomplete card - no score); Div 5 Gala Wilton (incomplete card - no score); 11/11/06 - Div 5 Northleach Town (incomplete card - no referee's name), 18/11/06 - Div 4 Charlton Rovers (no division)
ii. Failure to submit Referee's Card within 5 days of the match. Fine £10: 14/10/06 - Senior Charity Cup Naunton Park, Andoversford Nomads; 21/10/06 - Div 5 Southside; 28/10/06 - Div 2 Tewkesbury YMCA; 11/11/06 - Div 1 Kings, Div 3 Kings
iii. Failure to submit Referee's Card within 10 days of the match. Additional Fine £10 & Club suspended. 14/10/06 - Senior Charity Cup Naunton Park (suspension now lifted), Andoversford Nomads (suspension now lifted); 21/10/06 - Div 5 Southside (suspension now lifted); 11/11/06 - Div 4 Kings (suspension now lifted)
iv. Failure to submit Teamsheets within 5 days of the match. Fine £5 for each missing teamsheet: 14/10/06 - Senior Charity Cup Naunton Park (both sheets missing); 21/10/06 - Div 1 Shipton Oliffe (both sheets missing), Div 5 Southside (both sheets missing); 28/10/06 - Div 2 Tewkesbury YMCA (both sheets missing); 11/11/06 - Div 1 Kings (both sheets missing), Div 4 Kings (both sheets missing)

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 14b - withdrawal of a team after the AGM. Fine £50: Belmore Jags

Fixtures

John Hunt, the League's Assistant Secretary, informed the meeting that 6 games had been postponed due to the weather on Saturday, 25th November, 2006 and that he was now in the process of making new arrangements for these fixtures.
Mr Hunt also reported to the meeting the fact that he had received a request from Finlay Rovers to play both of their Charity Cup matches on Saturday, 9th December at their home ground at Blackbridge. Mr Hunt informed the meeting that Finlay Rovers had been drawn at home in both the Senior and Minor Charity Cups and that they wished to actually play both games at home on December 9th, utilising the two pitches that they had at their disposal. Mr Hunt explained that Finlay Rovers proposed to get round any difficulties that this arrangement might present with regard to changing facilities by staggering the kick off times. It was noted that it was not possible, in either instance, for the fixture to be reversed.
The meeting was of the opinion that it was impractical to stagger kick off times, as the matches were already required to kick off at 1.45 pm. It was confirmed that neither match could start any later than this and that it was not plausible to start either match any earlier. Mr Hunt also elucidated his concern that the changing facilites at Blackbridge would be able to cope even under these arrangements.
In conclusion, Mr Hunt was asked to liase with Finlay Rovers and confirm to them that it was their prerogative to find a appropriate, alternative venue to suit them to act as their home ground for one of these matches but that, if they were unable to do this, the League would allocate a pitch for them.

Mr Hunt then went on to express his disquiet at the fact that Naunton Park had relocated their Division One match with Belmore Jags on Saturday, November 25th, 2006, so that it was played at King George V playing fields rather than Prestbury, without contacting him. The General Secretary confirmed that Naunton Park had made contact, by mobile phone, with him at 11.00 am on the morning of Saturday, 25th November and that, during the course of this conversation, the Naunton Park secretary had informed him that he had been unable to contact Mr Hunt and that he had been told that he would not be available until after noon at the earliest. Mr Hunt stated that, as the match of the team that he is involved with had been postponed the night before, he was available all morning. The General Secretary was asked to write to Naunton Park and ask them to give details of the call in which they were informed that Mr Hunt would not be available until 12.00 pm at the earliest.

The meeting was informed that the General Secretary and Arthur Stiley, the Referees Secretary, would be attending a Senior Charity Cup match at Endsleigh on Saturday, 9th December, 2006.

League Administration.

The attention of the meeting was drawn to the letter, dated Tuesday, November 7th, 2006 from the General Secretary that had been distributed to all members of the Committee. This letter had highlighted the growing number of informal remarks and observations that were being made by members of the Management Committee, outside of Committee meetings, that related to the manner in which the League was being administered on a day to day basis by its senior officers. The General Secretary explained the rationale behind the working practices that were adopted by himself and the League's Treasurer and Results Secretary, Mr Les Fisher. It was emphasised to the meeting by the General Secretary that both he and Mr Fisher felt that they had no mandate to make any subjective judgements with regard to which rules were applied to which clubs, in certain circumstances, and which weren't. He pointed out to the meeting that those clubs that were reported to monthly committee meetings for rule offences were not, at that stage, guilty of any offence. He explained that it was only after the matter of these rule offences had been considered and then either agreed or dismissed by the committee that clubs were fined. He urged Committee members to voice their disagreement with any or all of the fines that were reported in the proper forum, this being the Committee meeting, and not over the phone to either Mr Fisher or himself after the meeting, whether this be when it came to the time for invoices to be paid, or when reporting results, or any other time.
The General Secretary then went on to explain the matter of suspending clubs for a failure to submit a referee's card after a match. The attention of the meeting was drawn to rule 13(j), which covered the League's requirements in this regard. It was explained that clubs were fined if the card did not arrive within 5 days of the match and that they were subsequently suspended if the card had still not reached Mr Fisher on the 10th day after the match. The meeting was assured that no reminders were issued in this regard to any clubs but that it only seemed right to inform clubs that they were suspended if the card failed to arrive after 10 days. In general terms, this gave offending clubs 3 days in which to rectify matters to ensure that they were not suspended from the League by the time the next weekends fixtures were played. The meeting was also informed that several clubs had claimed this year that the relevant cards had been lost in the post: as there was a specific clause in the rule to cover this eventuality, this had meant that all these clubs had been released from suspension pending their attempts to provide a replacement card.
In conclusion, the General Secretary urged all committee members to present a united front and to bring up matters which concerned them about the way in which the League was being run in the proper manner, in a committee meeting where matters could be debated properly.
The Chairman echoed these final sentiments and confirmed his support for the League's General Secretary and Treasurer. Members of the Committee then agreed unanimously to accept the General Secretary's position on this matter and to deal with matters appertaining to the League accordingly.

As the time had, by this stage, reached 9.00 pm, it was unanimously agreed that Standing Orders be suspended.

Following this, the League's President, Mr John Crowther, noted that, in the letter sent out to all Management Committee members by the General Secretary on November 7th, he had made mention of the fact that Mr Les Fisher, the League's Treasurer and Results Secretary, had been verbally abused over the telephone by a referee registered with the League. Mr Crowther asked the meeting to join with him in condemning this action and this was agreed. Mr Crowther also proposed that the General Secretary be requested to write to the referee concerned to ask for his comments on this issue, pending the possibility of the League considering further action on this matter, and this was unanimously agreed.

Any Other Business:

The General Secretary reminded the meeting in general, and the members of the sub committee in particular, that the next Charity Cup Sub Committee meeting was planned for Wednesday, December 13th, 2006. This meeting was to be held at the Victory Club with a 7.15 pm start

Mr Les Fisher, the League's Treasurer, informed the meeting that he had received an appeal from Finlay Rovers against two fines that had been imposed upon the club in September. It was confirmed that it was too late for these appeals to be considered.

Mr Fisher asked the meeting on what basis he should invoice Belmore Jags for pitch hire in light of the fact that they had now withdrawn their third team. After a brief discussion, Mr Fisher was asked to invoice the club for pitches used unless the charging basis adopted by Cheltenham Borough Council dictated to the contrary.

Mr Fisher asked for an explanation of the reasons that Belmore Jags had not been suspended for a failure to supply the Registration Secretary with a result card within 10 days of the playing of a match. It was confirmed that Belmore Jags had informed the Registration Secretary that the missing cards had been lost in the post and that, consequently, they had been given additional time to rectify the matter. It was decided that the matter of suspensions due to the non arrival of Match Result Cards would be reviewed on a weekly basis by the General Secretary and the Registration Secretary, in the same manner that is currently applied to Referee's Result Cards.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 9.15 pm

NEXT MEETING - WEDNESDAY 3rd JANUARY, 2007

AT 7-15 PM