Cheltenham League Meetings

CHELTENHAM ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Minutes of the Management Committee Meeting at the Victory Club Cheltenham on Wednesday 31st January 2007.

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

Apologies: M.Lytheer

Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 3rd January 2007 were read and accepted

Matters Arising from the minutes.

The General Secretary informed the meeting that he had received notification of the action taken by the GFA against the individual who was alleged to have perpetrated the head butt in the Division 4 match between Whaddon United and Elmbridge Old Boys at the end of November. The Secretary confirmed that the offence had been found to be proven and that the player in question had received a suspension of 112 days, which was to run from 25/12/2006 to 15/04/2007. It was pointed out to the meeting that this meant that the suspension would be completed before the end of the Cheltenham League season. The General Secretary proposed that, in view of the nature of the incident, the player's registration to the Cheltenham League be cancelled for season 2006-2007 and this was agreed.
The General Secretary informed the meeting that a letter and Email had been received from Smiths Athletic in appeal against the fine imposed upon the club at the meeting held on Wednesday, 3rd January for a transgression of League Rule 13(j). The club had been fined for incorrectly completing a Club Referee's Card and appealed on the basis that the match had been refereed by an officially appointed official. In considering this matter, the card submitted was provided to the meeting for inspection. It became evident during the course of this inspection that the Officially appointed referee had been provided with a Club Referee's card by Smiths Athletic for the game in question and not an Official Referee's Result Card. As this was substantiated as a fact, it was unanimously decided that the appeal should fail and that the appeal fee should be forfeit.
The meeting was also informed that an Email had been received from Winchcombe Town in appeal against the fine imposed upon the club at the meeting held on Wednesday, 3rd January, in regard of a transgression of rule 10(b) for being responsible for a late kick off. Winchcombe Town claimed that it was their opponents, FC Electrics, who had been responsible for the late kick off
In considering this matter, the Committee examined the Official Referee's Report Card that had been submitted for this match and discovered that the referee had reported both a kick off time of 2.05 pm, instead of 2.00 pm, and that the away side had been responsible. This being so, it was unanimously agreed that the appeal should fail but that the appeal fee should be returned.
A further Email had been received from Star FC in appeal against the fine imposed on the club at the meeting held on Wednesday, 3rd January for a transgression of League Rule 11(f). The club admitted that a teamsheet had not been submitted, as required by the rule, for the away match with FC Electrics on Saturday, 25th November, 2006. In mitigation, Star FC pointed out that, despite the fact that they only had 12 players, their substitute, who was also the team manager, was obliged to referee the match to make sure it was played as FC Electrics had no substitute referee. There was no officially appointed referee for this match. Star FC claimed that, in such circumstances, it was understandable that the team manager might forget to submit a teamsheet and the club also expressed their opinion that more should have been done by FC Electrics to make sure, firstly, that the game was played and, secondly, that the teamsheets were completed.
The Committee accepted the mitigation submitted by Star FC and upheld the appeal. It was also proposed that FC Electrics should be fined for failing to provide a substitute referee and it was agreed that the General Secretary would look into this with a view to charging FC Electrics with an appropriate rule offence at the next meeting.

Correspondence & Referees Reports:

Correspondence Reported for Discussion

Letter from FC Electrics complaining about the club referee provided by Finlay Rovers for the Division 5 match played on Saturday, 23rd December, 2006
It was confirmed to the meeting that this letter had been written by the Manager of the FC Electrics Reserve team and countersigned by the club secretary. Its contents were noted
Email from Cheltenham Saracens offering the League numerous dates for the Senior Cup Semi Finals and the Minor Cup Final
It was agreed that these dates should be passed to the Charity Cup Sub Committee for further consideration.
Email from Tewkesbury Dynamos alleging that Northway Reserves named players on the team sheet for the Division Three match on Saturday, 23rd December between the two clubs who were not playing
Further email from Tewkesbury Dynamos providing further details.
After discussion, it was agreed that the General Secretary would liase with the Registrations Secretary to ascertain whether or not a transgression of rule 8(q) had occurred in this matter.
Letter from Cleevonians stating that they have no comment to make with regard to the refereeing on Mr A Smith in the Division 5 match with Cheltenham Civil Service on Saturday, 23rd December, 2006
This was noted.
Email from Cheltenham Civil Service, informing the League that they received no notification on the match day from either referee Mr A Smith or Cleevonians that Mr Smith was the brother of one of the Cleevonians players in the Division 5 fixture played on Saturday, 23rd December, 2006.
The comments of Cheltenham Civil Service were noted. It was confirmed to the meeting that the GFA hearing into the events concerning this match was scheduled for Monday, 5th February, 2007 and it was agreed to defer all League considerations of this matter until the findings of this hearing were known.
Letter from Whaddon United giving their response to the referee's report that was considered at the meeting held on Wednesday, 3rd January, detailing the behaviour of Whaddon United players towards the referee at the end of the club's Division Three match with AC Olympia on Saturday, 16th December, 2006.
These were noted and the General Secretary was asked to write to Whaddon United to thank them for their response and to confirm that this matter was now considered closed.
Letter from Smiths Athletic detailing the reasons behind the clubs decision to award referee Andy Smith a mark of 10 out of 100
In light of the fact that Mr A Smith had been the referee in the match that was due to be considered by a GFA Hearing on Monday, 5th February, 2007 it was decided to defer further consideration on this matter until after the results of the hearing were known. In the meantime, the General Secretary was asked to write to Smiths Athletic to make them aware of this decision.
Email from Kingsmead School asking for clarification of the situation relating to fixtures detailed on Full Time for Saturday, 20th January, 2007 when Belmore Jags were indicated to be playing a Charity Cup match at the school premises. The email also informs the League that the school are in the process of pursuing County Court proceedings against Belmore Jags for payments that are due for pitch usage last season
Reply sent apologising for the error on Full Time and assuring Kingsmead School that Tivoli Rovers are the only Cheltenham League side to have nominated their facilities as its home ground.
The General Secretary was asked to write to Belmore Jags to ask them for their comments on this matter.
Letter from Paul Bonner, the Secretary of St Marks Juniors bringing the League's attention to the fact that the Division Four match between Naunton Park Reserves and Whaddon United was played on the St Marks pitch at King George V Playing Fields. Mr Bonner informs the League that this match was moved on to the St Marks pitch at the instruction of the match referee, Mr L Cole.
Mr Bonner's comments were noted and the Referees Secretary was asked to make sure that all referees registered with the Cheltenham League were made aware of the fact that no Cheltenham League games were to be played on the St Marks Community Association Pitch at King George V Playing Fields under any circumstances unless express instruction had been issued by the League.
Letter from Belmore Jags containing details of a club meeting that was held on Saturday, 20th January, 2007.
This letter was held to be totally inadequate as a record of a club meeting and it was agreed that the submission of this document did not therefore represent compliance by Belmore Jags with the special instructions issued by the Management Committee at the meeting held on October 25th. As a consequence, it was further agreed that Belmore Jags should be charged with failing to satisfactorily attend to the business of the League, in contravention of the requirements of League Rule 5(h)

At this point of the meeting, with the time having passed 9.00pm, it was unanimously agreed to suspend Standing Orders. It was also at this point that Mr Dennis Barrett, the League's Patron, took his leave of the meeting.

Letter from FC Electrics detailing their dissatisfaction at the manner in which the re-arrangement of their Minor Charities Cup Quarter Final against Bredon on 20th January 2007 was handled, claiming recompense for the expenses that were incurred during the course of this issue and asking that the League fine the Fixtures Secretary for the part that he played in this matter. This letter was written by Mr T Middlecote, the manager of FC Electrics reserve side and counter signed by the Club Secretary, Mr G Walker
Following the reading of this letter, Mr John Hunt, the League's Assistant Secretary, was asked to give his account of the events surrounding this match. On hearing Mr Hunt's account, he was commended for his actions and condemnation of both the content of the FC Electrics letter and the manner in which it was written was unanimous. In response, it was agreed that the General Secretary should write to FC Electrics to express both the views of the Management Committee with regard to this letter and, also, to issue the instruction that the League would not accept any further letters penned by Mr Middlecote and countersigned by the Secretary of FC Electrics. Further to this, it was also agreed that the letter constituted a failure on behalf of FC Electrics to deal satisfactorily with the business of the League. As a consequence, it was unanimously agreed that FC Electrics should be charged in accordance with the stipulations of rule 5(h) under the Rule Offences agenda item for this meeting.
Email from Star FC requesting permission to play G.Lozynsky, who played in 12 of their first teams 17 League games to date before sustaining injury early in December, in their second team on an ongoing basis.
The request from Star was briefly considered and then agreed unanimously
Email from Moreton Rangers offering the use of their ground and floodlights for a Charity Cup Semi Final, most particularly their own Semi Final against Hatherley Rangers
It was agreed that the General Secretary should write to Moreton Rangers to thank them for their generous offer and to point out that the League was unable to accept in this instance because tradition dictated that Charity Cup Semi Finals were always played at a neutral venue.

Correspondence Notified to the Meeting but not discussed

Email from Naunton Park giving notification of a change of address and home telephone number for their secretary. His new address is 49, Stanway Road, Benhall, Cheltenham, GL51 6BU and his new telephone number is 01242 693830
Email from Southside giving details of a new Secretary for the club. This is Mrs Angela Swales, whose address is 1 Friars Close, Cheltenham, Gloucs, GL51 3DU. Mrs Swales home telephone number is 01242 244682 and she can be contacted on email at ianfootball@blueyonder.co.uk.
Email from Mike Lytheer detailing his comments on the letter received from Endsleigh, dated 22nd December 2006, in which Endsleigh claim that their Senior Charity Cup tie with Shipton Oliffe, played on 16th December 2006, should not have been allowed to go ahead because of adverse ground conditions
Letter from Referee Will Wain giving notice of a new address and telephone number. Mr Wain's new address is to be 13, Cordingley Close, Churchdown, Gloucester GL3 2EN and his new work telephone number is 01452 712612 ext 7000
Email from Phoenix United giving notice of new details for their secretary. His new address is 311 London Road, Charlton Kings, Cheltenham, Gloucs, GL52 6YY. His telephone numbers are 01242 570608 (h) and 07800 121610 (m)
Email from Smiths Athletic applying for FA Cup Final tickets
Letter from Whaddon United detailing a change of address and telephone numbers for their secretary. His new address is 78, Whaddon Avenue, Cheltenham, Gloucs GL52 5NW and his telephone numbers are 01242 704804 (h) & 07769 803101 (m)
Email from Jon Owen, explaining the circumstances in which he ceased to be Secretary of Southside and asking for application forms to enter a new team into the League for Season 2007-2008
Letter from Mark Baker, asking for application forms to enter a new club into the League for season 2007-2008
Email from Simon Goodwin, asking for application forms to enter a new club into the League for season 2007-2008
Email from Smiths Athletic asking for a matter relating to a referee to be considered under Any Other Business during the clubs meeting on January 31st
Email from Tewkesbury Town with regard to the procedure for entering a reserve side in the League for season 2007-2008.
Reply sent detailing the steps the club needs to take to instigate this process
Email from Adam Irwin asking for application forms to enter a new club into the League for season 2007-2008
Email from Elmbridge Old Boys informing the League that the club achieved Charter Status in December 2006
Email from Tewkesbury Dynamos asking for clarification of League Rule 8(p)
Email from Cheltenham Borough Council pointing out the fact that the drains at several council venues were clogged with mud and asking the League to point out to all clubs that boots were not to be washed in the showers or the hand basins.
Email sent out to all League clubs requesting that they comply with the requirements of the Borough Council
Letter from Apperley Football Club requesting entry forms for the 2007-2008 season.
Email from Tewkesbury Dynamos requesting clarification of the requirements of League Rule 8(p) with regard to the selection of players for lower teams who have played for a team of higher County Cup Classification
Email from Elmbridge Old Boys requesting FA Cup Final Tickets
Letter from the GFA giving details of the fact that the next meeting of the League Sanctions and Rules Revision Committee is to be held in mid April and requesting that all proposed changes to League Rules for next season be submitted to them by 10th April 2007
Email from Finlay Rovers containing the minutes of a Club meeting that was held on 28th January
Email from Moreton Rangers requesting clarification of the details for their Senior Charity Cup Semi Final against Hatherley Rangers
Reply sent informing Moreton Rangers that the details for the Semi Finals will be finalised at the meeting of the Charity Cup Sub Committee which will be held on February 7th
Email from AC Olympia requesting FA Cup Final Tickets

Referees Reports reported for discussion

Belmore Jags Reserves v Smiths Athletic Reserves, Div 3, Sat 13/1/07: Referee A Smith reports that this was a steady game in which he booked one player and sent another off. He comments that Belmore Jags were winning 1-0 when, in the 87th minute, Smiths scored a goal from a corner but the referee disallowed it due to a Smiths player pulling down on an opponent. The Smiths goalkeeper then came up from his end and used foul and abusive language to the referee, so he was dismissed from the field of play
This report was noted but discussion was deferred, in accordance with the decision taken with regard to correspondence previously reported to the meeting involving referee A Smith.
Bishops Cleeve IV v Charlton Kings, Junior Charity Cup, Sat 20/1/07: Referee D Watts reports that he donated his £15 match fee back to the home club, to be forwarded to the League.
The League recorded its thanks to Mr Watts for his generosity

Referees Reports Notified but not discussed

Tivoli Rovers v Smiths Athletic IV, Div 4, Sat 6/1/07: Referee J Marston reports that the home side made an excellent effort to get the pitch playable and congratulates them on their efforts. He also commends both sides as a credit to the Cheltenham League
Gala Wilton III v Cheltenham Civil Service IV, Div 5, Sat 6/1/07: Referee W Wain reports that the home side did not have the correct Result Card for him to sign
Northleach Town Res v Tewkesbury Dynamos Res, Div 5, Sat 6/1/07: Referee M Davies reports that the match was called off at 11.30 am
Hatherley Rangers v Andoversford Nomads, Div 1, Sat 13/1/07: Referee D Watts reports that this was a very sporting game which reflected credit on both clubs and laments the fact that there was a strong crossfield wind
Belmore Jags v Bishops Cleeve III, Div 1, Sat 13/1/07: Referee S Glyde reports that he benefitted from the assistance of two level four referees as Linesmen for this match and that he did not, therefore, submit linesmans marks for either side.
Falcons v Belmore Jags Reserves, Div 3, Sat 20/1/07: Referee R Price reports that he has reported a Belmore Jags official to the GFA following this match

Rule Offences:

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 5(H): - Failure to satisfactorily attend to the Business of the League Fine at discretion of Management Committee: Belmore Jags (failure to hold regular committee meetings and to submit the minutes of such meetings to the General Secretary. Fine £75), FC Electrics (submission of an letter inappropriate in manner and content. Fine £25)

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 5(I): - Late Payment of Invoices. Fine £15
Invoices due 13/11/06: Tewkesbury YMCA (invoice 53a, £8, paid 26/01/2006 )

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 10(f): - Failure to notify the Assistant Secretary in writing of a postponement within 3 days of the match. Fine £15: 25/11/06 - Div 2 Bourton Rovers, Div 2 Bredon, Div 3 Winchcombe Town, Div 4 Charlton Rovers, Naunton Park, Tewkesbury Town; 09/12/06 - Senior Charity Cup Northway; 16/12/06 - Div 2 Finlay Rovers, Div 3 Northway

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 11(a) - failure to complete Result cards correctly. Fine £5 for each offence
No Sportsmanship Marks or incorrect marks: 16/12/06 - Div4 Charlton Kings; 13/01/07 Div 1 Endsleigh (awarded marks out of 100 instead of 10), Div 2 TewkesburyYMCA (awarded marks out of 100 instead of 10);
No Score or Wrong Score Given: 9/12/07 - Junior Charity Cup Naunton Park ( match v Charlton Kings stated score 2-3 when 1-3)
Incorrect referees Name: 23/12/06 - Div 4 Naunton Park (stated N.Peters when no official referee)
No teams or incorrect teams named: 23/12/06 - Div 4 Charlton Kings (Participating clubs not on result card)

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): 23/12/06 - Div 4 Kings (late 6.10 pm) , Div 5 Star (incorrect score); 06/01/07 - Div 3 Falcons (No notification of postponement)
Fine £10 (second offence): 16/12/06 - Div 3 Broadway United (No notification of Postponement); 06/01/07 - Div 4 Gaffers (No Notification of Postponement) , Tewkesbury Town (No Notification of Postponement)
Fine £15 (second offence): 06/01/07 - Div 3 Phoenix United) (No Notification of Postponement)
Fine £20 (fourth offence): 23/12/06 - Div 3 Charlton Rovers (No Notification of Postponement); 06/01/07 - Div 2 Tewkesbury YMCA (No Notification of Postponement)
Fine £25 (fifth Offence) 13/01/07 - Div 3 Charlton Rovers (No Notification of Postponement).

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 11(f) - Failure to correctly complete teamsheet. Fine £10: 23/12/06 - Div 3 FC Electrics (Blank Sheet); 06/01/07 - Div 5 Sherborne Harriers (No Sheet Submitted)

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 13(h) - submitting incorrect marks for referees.
i) Marking Referee out of 10 instead of 100 Fine £5: 06/01/07 - Div 2 Cheltenham Saracens, Northleach Town, Div 4 Chelenham Saracens, Charlton Kings, Div 5 FC Electrics, Sherbourne Harriers; 13/01/07 - Div 1 Dynamos, Belmore Jags, Div3 Belmore Jags, Div 4 Chelt Saracens, Charlton Kings, Div 5 FC Electrics, Churchdown Panthers, Southside.

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: 23/12/06 - Div 4 Naunton Park (No Date)
ii) Failure to submit Referee's Card within 5 days of the match. Fine £10: 16/12/06 - Div 4 Naunton Park, Senior Charity Cup Northway; 13/01/07 - Div 1 Northway
iii): Failure to submit Referee's Card within 10 days of the match. Additional Fine £10 & Club Suspended: 16/12/06 - Div 4 Naunton Park, (Suspension now lifted), Senior Charity Cup Northway (Suspension now lifted); 13/01/07 - Div 1 Northway
iv) Failure to submit Teamsheets within 5 days of the match: Fine £5 for each missing teamsheet: 16/12/06 - Div 4 Naunton Park, (both sheets missing), Senior Charity Cup Northway (Both Sheet missing); 13/01/07 - Div 1 Northway (Both sheets missing)

It was noted that Naunton Park had received a significant number of fines at this meeting. It was confirmed by the General Secretary that the fines imposed this month were in addition to the 21 fines that the club had already received during the course of the season so far. The General Secretary was asked to write to Naunton Park to warn them that the acquisition of further fines at the same rate during the course of the rest of the season would leave them liable to be called in front of the Management Committee to account for their poor administrative record.

Fixtures

John Hunt, the League's Assistant Secretary, informed the meeting that he had nothing further to add to the report that he had delivered to the Club's meeting.

Complaint by Endsleigh Football Club

The dissatisfaction felt by Endsleigh FC at the decision taken by the match referee for their home Charity Cup match with Shipton Oliffe on Saturday, 16th December, 2006 had been discussed at the previous meeting on January 3rd. At this meeting, it had been decided to defer further discussion until all members of the committee had been given an opportunity to read the letter from Endsleigh, in which they explain that they did not feel that the pitch was playable, that Shipton Oliffe agreed and that, as a result of the match being played, significant damage was inflicted on the pitch which will now require substantial funds to rectify. The General Secretary had distributed a copy of the letter to all members of the committee in advance of the meeting
The Committee was also informed that the General Secretary was now in receipt of an email from the match day referee in question, Mr M Lytheer, in regard to this matter and this email was read to the meeting.
Having heard the testament of both the club, the referee and the two League representatives who were present at the match, it was unanimously agreed to support the referee's decision to play the match and that no further action was required in regard to this matter.
The General Secretary was asked to communicate this decision in writing to Endsleigh.

Cheltenham Borough Council

The meeting was informed that the latest invoice from Cheltenham Borough Council, to cover pitch usage up to 23rd December, 2006 had been received by the League Treasurer, Mr Les Fisher. It was pointed out that the invoice was based on a unit price of £20.95 per pitch per match and that Mr Fisher had invoiced the clubs on the basis of a unit price of £20.43 per pitch per match. It was explained to the meeting that the reason for invoicing the clubs at the lower amount was the fact that this was the unit price last season and the League had not been in receipt of written notification of any change to this price. The General Secretary informed the meeting that a series of emails had passed between himself and Jean Smith at Cheltenham Borough Council, in which the Borough Council had been given an opportunity to indicate when and how they had informed the League of the increase in price. It was noted by the meeting that the Borough Council had accepted the obligation to inform the League of an increase in Unit price by June 30th each year at the meeting held between the League and Council representatives on July 11th, 2005. This was recorded in notes that the League's General Secretary had prepared immediately after this meeting and which he had distributed to all Council representatives present at the meeting. It was pointed out to the meeting that the Council had, so far, only suggested that the League should have known about the price increase because it had been reported in the Gloucestershire Echo.
Following consideration of this matter, it was agreed that the League should pay for the number of pitches used, as stipulated in the invoice, at a unit price of £20.43 and that the General Secretary should write a covering letter, to accompany the payment, explaining why this action had been taken.

Any Other Business:

Mr Les Fisher informed the meeting that he felt that Northway Football Club should be suspended from the League forthwith for having failed to submit the correct Referee's card for a recent match. This was agreed and Mr John Hunt, the Assistant Secretary, was asked to contact Northway to inform them that this matter had to be resolved by 6.00 pm on Friday, 2nd February if the club was to meet its fixture obligations for the coming weekend.

The meeting was informed that the next meeting of the Charity Cup sub committee was to be held on Wednesday, 7th February and that it was at this meeting that the dates of the Charity Cup Semi Finals would be set. It was pointed out that the first Senior Cup Semi Final was likely to be before the next Management Committee meeting and, consequently, all Committee members were asked to watch out for the circulation of the dates by the General Secretary

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 9.50 pm

NEXT MEETING - WEDNESDAY 28th FEBRUARY, 2007