Cheltenham League Meetings

CHELTENHAM ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Minutes of the Management Committee Meeting at the Victory Club Cheltenham on Wednesday, 28th March 2007.

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

Apologies:None

Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 28th February 2007 were read and accepted

Matters Arising from the minutes.

The General Secretary informed the meeting that a letter had been received from Sherborne Harriers in appeal against the decision to fine the club £15 and 3 points under the provisions of League Rule 10(f) at the meeting held on 28th February, for failing to fulfil a fixture. In mitigation, the club pointed out in their letter tha, 7 players had gone down with food poisoning on the morning of the match, which left them no option but to cancel the fixture.
After due consideration of this matter, it was decided that the appeal was unsuccessful and that the appeal fee should be retained.
The General Secretary directed the attention of the meeting to an email that had been received from Cheltenham Civil Service. In this email, the club assured the League that they did not play an ineligible player in the Division One match against Hatherley Rangers on Saturday, 10th February, 2007, as reported to the last meeting, and promised to convey the information necessary to clear this matter up to the League's Registration Secretary as soon as possible.
Before consideration was given to this matter, Mr Bob Overington took his leave of the meeting
It was confirmed by the Registration Secretary that the necessary information had been provided by Cheltenham Civil Service and that it showed that the player in question was eligible to play in the match on February 10th. It was decided, therefore, that this matter was to be considered to be closed.
Following this, Mr Bob Overington returned to the meeting.
The General Secretary informed the meeting that, following correspondence between the League and Endsleigh with regard to the club's pitch, numerous points had been accepted by both sides and games were now, once again, being staged at Shurdington Road.
It was reported that Phoenix United had responded to the email sent to the club by the League detailing concerns about the state of the pitch being used by the club for its home games at Tuffley Park. Phoenix United inform the League that they have referred the matter to Accorn, who control the usage and maintenance of the pitches and promise to keep the League informed of developments whilst apologising for the problems experienced so far.
The meeting was informed that an email had been received from Brownings detailing the work required to the Senior Charity Cup to repair the damage inflicted upon it . Additionally, the it was reported that this had been used as the basis of a claim that had now been sent to the League's Trophy Insurers in order to attempt to minimalise the liability that would have to be accepted by Winchcombe Town in this regard. It was, however, noted that, at the very least, the excess, which was believed to be £100, would be payable by Winchcombe Town.
The General Secretary reported that Tewkesbury Town had formally apologised to Kingsmead School for the unsatisfactory condition in which the club had left the boys changing room at the school following the Division Four match against Tivoli Rovers on Saturday, 24th February, 2007. It was also noted that the school had not made any claim for additional expenses.
The meeting was informed that an expense claim had been received from Mr M Murray, the referee at the Division Three match between AC Olympia and FC Electrics on Saturday, 24th February, 2007. Mr Murray had complained to the League that damage was done to his property during and after the match by the person running the line for FC Electrics. Mr Murray informs the League that he is £35 out of pocket as a result of the expenses he has incurred replacing the damaged items. In addition, it was reported to the meeting that FC Electrics disputed Mr Murray's claims that damage had been inflicted on his property and had asked for a personal hearing with the League's Management Committee. This was noted
The General Secretary informed the meeting that Elmbridge Old Boys had asked that it should be pointed out that the dismissal reported at the last meeting on February 28th, which involved a player kicking another player, was not a premeditated act but, rather, was a rush of blood following a tangle of legs. Elmbridge Old Boys also point out that the player involved received a suspension that will result in him missing 5 matches.

Correspondence & Referees Reports: Correspondence Reported for Discussion

Email from Tewkesbury Dynamos pointing out to the League that they had submitted a registration form after the March 1st deadline and also querying why the clubs name had not appeared on the list of applicants for cup final tickets.
It was noted that the registration issue had been dealt with by the General Secretary and the Registration Secretary and these actions were endorsed by the committee. It was also noted that Tewkesbury Dynamos had not provided a copy of the email that they claimed had been sent to the League in application for FA Cup Final tickets and it was agreed that the club should not, therefore, be added to the list of clubs requesting tickets
Email from Bishops Cleeve informing the League that the Division Three match away to Andoversford Nomads Reserves was played with a substitute referee even though the officially appointed Referee had postponed the fixture.
Email from Andoversford Nomads giving their explanation of the reasons for this game being played subsequent to the officially appointed referee postponing the fixture
Email sent to both clubs warning them that this action was contrary to the provisions of League rule 13(d) and pointing out the possible implications that the decision to play the match might have had on any Insurance claim that might have derived from an incident in the match
It was reported that an email had been sent to the whole League warning every club that there should be no repetition of this incident.
Significant concern over this matter was voiced by various committee members, although it was agreed that, now that all clubs had been warned against similar behaviour in the future, the matter should now be regarded as closed without any further action. There was also concern over the implications for the match official, however, and the General Secretary was asked to write to the referee in this instance to explain the actions that had been taken.
Email from Tewkesbury YMCA asking for clarification of League Rule 11a, under the provisions of which the club was fined at the meeting held on February 28th, 2007.
It was noted that no reference was made in the handbook to the fact that Sportsmanship marks should be awarded out of 10. It was agreed, however, that prevailing convention dictated that 10 was the maximum mark that was allowed and that numerous references to this being the case had been made at various meetings and newsletters over the course of the last year. The meeting was informed, by the General Secretary, that a rule change was to be proposed that would specifically stipulate, in the hand book, the maximum mark for opposition sportsmanship. It was also noted that Tewkesbury YMCA had not registered an appeal in this instance.
Email from Dynamos relating to certain playing matters
The contents of the email were noted, as was the feeling of the Committee that it was not in a position to be able to progress the matters raised in the email any further
Letter from the FA, containing an application form for Grant Aid, which can be used to help fund the purchasing of essential equipment for the administration of the League.
The Committee approved the request from the General Secretary that he should actively pursue this funding opportunity to investigate the purchase of a laptop computer for his use in the administration of the League
Letter from Kingsmead School detailing the size of the debt owed to them by Belmore Jags for pitch usage and training facilities provided during the course of the 2005-06 season. The school also enclosed copies of the letters that had been sent to the club in an attempt to gain payment for the debt. The School ask for the League's help in recovering the amount outstanding and inform the League that, if this is unsuccessful, they will have to resort to the County Court to try to obtain payment of the monies owed.
Letter sent to Belmore Jags informing them of the information received by the League and asking them to detail their intentions with regard to paying Kingsmead School the amount that is owed
Email from Kingsmead School informing the League that the Secretary of Belmore Jags had made contact with the School
Letter from Belmore Jags informing the League that they have been in contact with Kingsmead School with regard to the unpaid debt and that the club are now in negotiations with the School to reach an agreement over the outstanding monies
The recent correspondence with regard to the matter of Belmore Jags' unpaid debt to Kingsmead School was noted and the General Secretary was asked to monitor developments in this regard over the coming months.
Letter from the Chelsea Building Society in acknowledgement of the League's invitation to the Building Society's Chief Executive to present the trophies at the Senior Charity Cup Final and asking for details of the date of the match as soon as the League has them.
This was noted.
Letter from Belmore Jags containing minutes from the club committee meeting, attended by two people, that was held on March 13th, 2007. The minutes report that the date of the next meeting will be April 16th, 2007.
It was noted by the meeting that, whilst the minutes provided had, again, improved, only two people were in attendance at this meeting. The General Secretary was asked to write to the club to instruct them in the need to have a meaningful quorum at committee meetings.
Email from Naunton Park, dated 21st March, in which the club gives notice of its intention to withdraw its reserve side from Division Four of the Cheltenham League with immediate effect.
Whilst the committee felt that it had no option but to accept Naunton Park's resignation from Division Four, it was not felt by the meeting that the reasons given were satisfactory for the withdrawal of a team at such a late stage in the season. Consequently, it was decided that, in addition to being fined under the provisions of rule 14(b), Naunton Park should forfeit their £50 deposit for the season. It was noted that this would require Naunton Park to pay a new deposit at the beginning of season 2007-08
Letter from Elmbridge Old Boys bringing the League's attention to their suspicions that Whaddon United fielded an ineligible player against them in the Division Four match played on Saturday, 17th March, 2007.
Email sent to Whaddon United asking for their comments on this matter
Email from Whaddon United categorically denying the allegations made by Elmbridge Old Boys
It was noted that both clubs had provided the League with very eloquent and apparently factual accounts of the events in question and that these accounts gave entirely different versions of these events. It was also noted that the player named by Elmbridge Old Boys was actually in the middle of serving a suspension imposed by the GFA on Saturday, 17th March. In an attempt to further progress this matter, Mr Arthur Stiley, the referee's secretary, was asked to contact the match day referee and ask him if he could corroborate the allegations made by Elmbridge
Email from Endsleigh requesting permission to rearrange their Division One match with Naunton Park, which is currently scheduled for April 24th, two days before the Senior Cup Final.
Mr John Hunt, the Assistant Secretary, confirmed that this request could be accommodated within the fixture schedule of both clubs involved in the Division One match involving Endsleigh on April 24th and it was therefore agreed that this match should be rescheduled
Letter from Northway informing the League of the Club's decision to withdraw its reserve team from Division Three with immediate effect and asking permission to re-enter the team in Division Five next season.
The Committee again felt that it was wholly unacceptable for a club to withdraw a team from the League at such a late stage in the season and that, whilst it had no option but to accept the resignation of Northway from Division Three, Northway should lose their deposit for the season. This was agreed unanimously.

Correspondence Notified to the Meeting but not discussed

Email from Naunton Park confirming the club's intention to disband its second team at the end of the season and to withdraw the team from the Cheltenham League
Email from Cheltenham Civil Service assuring the League that they did not play an ineligible player in their match against Hatherley Rangers on Saturday, 10th February, 2007 and promising to convey the information necessary to clear this matter up to the League's Registration Secretary as soon as possible
Email from Endsleigh in response to an email sent to the club by the League with regard to the condition of the playing surface at the club's home ground
Email from Whaddon United requesting that their second team match, which was arranged to be played on Thursday, 12th April, 2007, be rescheduled so that it didn't clash with their first team's Charity Cup Semi Final
Email from Bishops Cleeve informing the League that their home game on Saturday, 3rd March against Naunton Park in Division One had been relocated to Newlands Park
Letter from Shipton Oliffe informing the League that their goalkeeper, S Benbow, had been signed on as cover by Bishops Cleeve and asking if the player would still be eligible to play for Shipton Oliffe once he returned to them
Email from Winchcombe Town requesting permission to play W Major in the second team until further notice
Email sent in reply granting permission for W Major to play for Winchcombe Town 2nds, up until the next occasion on which he plays for the 1st team and dependent on the first team having a fixture at the same time
Email from Bourton Rovers informing the League that the new email address for their secretary is joannaherbert@tiscali.co.uk
Email from Phoenix United in response to the email sent to the club by the League detailing concerns about the state of the pitch being used by the club for its home games at Tuffley Park. Phoenix United inform the League that they have referred the matter to Accorn, who control the usage and maintenance of the pitches and promise to keep the League informed of developments whilst apologising for the problems experienced so far.
Email from Philip Crabb, in response to a letter and email that were sent to the Secretary of Belmore Jags and of which he received copies, pointing out that he is no longer the Chairman of the club.
Email from Brownings detailing the work required to the Senior Charity Cup to repair damage inflicted upon it.
Email from Tewkesbury Town containing a copy of the apology sent to Kingsmead School for the unsatisfactory condition in which the club had left the boys changing room at the school following a Division Four match against Tivoli Rovers on Saturday, 24th February, 2007
Email from Charlton Kings requesting permission to play the club's Junior Cup Semi Final on a day other than Thursday, April 12th as the club believed that it would be unable to raise a side on this evening
Further email received from the club informing the League that they would be able to fulfil the fixture on the prescribed date
Letter from Tewkesbury Town containing an application to enter a reserve team in the League for season 07-08.
Letter from Mr M Murray, the referee at the Division Three match between AC Olympia and FC Electrics on Saturday, 24th February, 2007 who had complained to the League that damage was done to his property during and after the match by the person running the line for FC Electrics. Mr Murray informs the League that he is £35 out of pocket as a result of the expenses he has incurred replacing the damaged items
Letter received from FC Electrics disputing Mr Murray's claims that damage had been inflicted on his property
Email from Elmbridge Old Boys pointing out to the League that the dismissal reported at the last meeting on February 28th, which involved a player kicking another player, was not a premeditated act and was a rush of blood following a tangle of legs. Elmbridge Old Boys also point out that the player involved received a suspension that will result in him missing 5 matches.
Email from Leon Blount, manager of Tewkesbury Dynamos Reserves, asking permission to sign Scott Bunt from Tewkesbury YMCA as goalkeeping cover for the rest of the season
Reply sent informing Mr Blount that all correspondence of this nature must emanate from the Club Secretary
Email from Tewkesbury Dynamos, sent by Club Secretary Wayne Lippett, detailing the fact that Scott Bunt had played in every Cheltenham League game for Tewkesbury YMCA so far this season
Email from FC Barometrics informing the League that their Secretary will be unavailable from 16/03/07 to 03/04/07 and that the alternative contact, as per the handbook, should be used in his absence
Email from Smiths Athletic informing the League that the score of the clubs Division Four match with Tewkesbury Town on Saturday, 19th March, 2007 was reported incorrectly on Full Time.
Amendment made to Full Time to correct the score
Email from Broadway United enquiring as to whether or not it was possible to lodge an appeal against a fine imposed at the meeting of February 28th, even though 12 days had now elapsed since the meeting.
Reply sent informing the club that, as appeals had to be lodged within 10 days of the meeting, it was now too late
Letter from St Marks Juniors, asking for application forms to enter a team into the League for season 2007-2008
Letter from Elmleaze FC, asking for application forms to enter a new club into the League for season 2007-2008
Letter from Martin Gulliver, asking for application forms to enter a new club into the League for season 2007-08
Letter from Endsleigh Insurance Services, giving details of the cover extended by the League's renewed Officers Indemnity Policy for the forthcoming year.
Letter from Hatherley Rangers containing a copy of the Club's application to join the Northern Senior League for season 2007-08
Email from Star FC containing a report on Referee M Weller, explaining the award of a mark of 20 for the referee's performance in the Division Five match against Churchdown Panthers on Saturday, 24th March, 2007
Email from Sherborne Harriers querying the fact that the score of the clubs match against Tewkesbury Dynamos on Saturday, 24th March, 2007 is reported on Full Time as being 5-0 to Tewkesbury Dynamos. Sherborne Harriers state that they believe that the match ended in a 1-0 win to Tewkesbury Dynamos

Referees Reports Notified but not discussed

FC Barometrics v Moreton Rangers, Div 2, Sat 10/3/07: Referee C Burridge reports that this was a very competitive match but not very sporting
Belmore Jags Res v Broadway United, Div 3, Sat 10/3/07: Referee A Butler reports that Belmore Jags played in Blue shirts with white sleeves and that Broadway United had shirts that were blue and white hoops but that Broadway United did not have a change of kit. The referee states that he consented to the game being played but would have preferred Broadway to have changed.
Phoenix United v Tewkesbury Dynamos, Div 3, Sat 10/3/07: Referee A Ward reports that both teams were excellent and extremely sporting
Cleevonians v Gala Wilton, Div 5, Sat 10/3/07: Referee E Bishop reports that this was a competitive game played on a terrible pitch
Sherborne Harriers v Southside, Div 5, Sat 10/3/07: Referee J Marston reports his congratulations to Sherborne Harriers for a well marked pitch, goal nets that were put up correctly and a good playing surface despite the recent bad weather
Belmore Jags v Naunton Park, Div 1, Sat 17/3/07: Referee P Gilder reports that Belmore Jags did not number their team sheet in accordance with the numbers that were appropriate to the players
Tewkesbury Dynamos v Charlton Rovers, Div 3, Sat 17/3/07: Referee E Baker reports that the two teams for this match provided the best impartial club linesman he had encountered all season
Gaffers v Charlton Rovers Res, Div 4, Sat 17/3/07: Referee C Burridge reports that Charlton Rovers failed to provide a teamsheet as requested
Charlton Rovers III v Gaffers Reserves, Div 5, Sat 17/3/07: Referee N Newport Black reports his congratulations to the two teams for the spirit in which this match was played.
Star FC III v FC Electrics, Div 5, Sat 24/3/07: Referee E Bishop reports that this was a great game and a pleasure to referee

Before consideration was given to Rule Offences, Mr Phil Tustain took his leave of the meeting
Rule Offences:

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 9(a):
i) No change of kit: Fine £5: 10/03/07 - Div 3 Broadway United
ii) Using a shirt without a number: Fine £5: 22/03/07 - Senior Charity Cup Endsleigh

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 10(b):
i) Delaying the kick off 03/03/07 - Div 3 Belmore Jags (10 minutes - away team. Fine £5), Div 4 Naunton Park (7minutes - away team. Fine £5);
ii) ii) No First Aid kit: Fine £5 03/03/07 - Div 4 Naunton Park

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 10(e): - Failure to play a match with 11 players: 03/03/07 - Div 3 Belmore Jags (10 players - fine £3); 10/03/07 - Div 5 Gaffers (10 players - fine £3).

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 10(f):
i) Failure to fulfil a fixture - 1st Offence - Fine £15 & 3 points deducted: 17/03/07 - Div 3 Northway;
2nd Offence - Fine £20 & 4 points deducted: 24/03/07 - 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:
i) No Sportsmanship Marks or incorrect marks: 03/02/07 - Div1 Naunton Park (marks not awarded out of 10); 10/02/07 - Div4 Naunton Park (marks not awarded out of 10); 17/02/07 - Div1 Belmore Jags (marks not awarded out of 10), Div 3 Belmore Jags (marks not awarded out of 10), Whaddon United (marks not awarded out of 10), Bishops Cleeve (marks not awarded out of 10), Div 4 Cheltenham Saracens (marks not awarded out of 10), Naunton Park (marks not awarded out of 10), Tewkesbury Town (marks not awarded out of 10), 24/02/07 - Div 1 Belmore Jags (marks not awarded out of 10), Div 2 Tewkesbury YMCA (marks not awarded out of 10), Div 3 Belmore Jags (marks not awarded out of 10), Bishops Cleeve (marks not awarded out of 10), Div 4 Tewkesbury Town (marks not awarded out of 10), Div 5 Northleach Town (marks not awarded out of 10); 03/03/07 - Div 1 Belmore Jags (marks not awarded out of 10), Dynamos (marks not awarded out of 10), Div 3 Belmore Jags (marks not awarded out of 10), Div 4 Kings (No marks given), Div 5 Charlton Rovers (marks not awarded out of 10); 10/02/07 - Div 5 Churchdown Panthers (marks not awarded out of 10); 17/02/07 - Div 5 Churchdown Panthers (marks not awarded out of 10);
ii) No Score or Wrong Score Given: 24/02/07 - Div 4 Whaddon United (No Score Given); 10/03/07 - Div 3 Whaddon United (No Score Given), Div 4 Charlton Kings (State result 3-1 when 4-1), Div 5 Northleach Town (No Score Given);
iii) Incorrect referees Name: 10/03/07 - Div 1 Shipton Oliffe (stated J Pratley when P Langley), 17/03/07 - Div 3 Andoversford Nomads (No referee named), Div 4 Gaffers (stated E Baker when C Burridge), Div 5 Gaffers (Stated club ref when N Newport Black), Northleach Town (Stated Molly Hall when M Weller), Tewkesbury Dynamos (Stated A Morgan when M Kimber);
iv) Incorrect Opposition stated: 17/02/07 - Div 3 Phoenix United (stated Phoenix Reserves when Falcons); 24/02/07 - Div 3 Tewkesbury Dynamos (stated Phoenix when Falcons);
It was noted that the fine imposed upon Phoenix United had been as a result of a typographical error

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): 03/03/07 - Div 2 Woodmancote (late result - 6.00 pm), Div 3 Whaddon United (late result - 5.40 pm); 10/03/07 - Div 5 Tewkesbury Dynamos (No result); 17/03/07 - Div 5 Cheltenham Civil Service (No result);
Fine £10 (Second offence): 03/03/07 - Div 1 Dynamos (Late result - 5.41 pm); 10/03/07 - Div 1 Kings (Late result - 6.05 pm); 17/03/07 - Div 1 Endsleigh (Late result - 5.40 pm), Div 3 Whaddon United (Late result - 5.35 pm)
Fine £15 (Third offence): 10/03/07 - Div 4 Kings (No Notification of Postponement); 17/03/07 - Div 1 Dynamos (Late result - 6.05 pm), Div 3 Bishops Cleeve (No result).

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 11(c) - late submission of Match Result Cards to the Registration Secretary: Fine £10: 17/02/07 - Div 3 Northway; 24/02/07 - Div 4 Gaffers, Div 5 Gaffers; 03/03/07 - Div 1 Naunton Park, Div 4 Naunton Park; 10/03/07 - Div 1 Naunton Park, Div 4 Naunton Park;

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 11(f) - Failure to provide a correctly completed teamsheet. Fine £10: 03/03/07 - Div 3 Phoenix United (No Sheet Submitted); 17/03/07 - Div 1 Belmore Jags (Numbered incorrectly); 17/03/07 Div 4 Charlton Rovers (No teamsheet submitted)

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 13(c) - Failure to provide a club linesman: Fine £5: 03/03/07 - Div 4 Naunton Park

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 13(h) - submitting incorrect marks for referees.
i) Referees not marked out of 100: Fine £5 17/02/07 - Div 1 Hatherley Rangers, Northway, Div 3 Broadway, Whaddon United, Div 5 Churchdown Panthers, Cleevonians; 24/02/07 - Div 1 Northway, Div 3 Broadway United, Northway, Div 5 Cleevonians; 03/03/07 - Div 5 Churchdown Panthers; 10/03/07 - Div 3 Broadway United; 17/03/07 - Div 3 Broadway United;

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 13(j) - Submission of referees cards & teamsheets.
i) Failure to submit Referee's Card within 5 days of the match. Fine £10: 17/02/07 - Div 4 Naunton Park; 24/02/07 - Div 4 Tewkesbury Dynamos, Div 5 Gaffers; 03/03/07 - Div 3 Phoenix United (received 09/03), Div 5 Charlton Rovers (received 09/03); 10/03/07 - Div 1 Naunton Park (received 16/03), Div 4 Naunton Park (received 16/03);
ii: Failure to submit Referee's Card within 10 days of the match. Additional Fine £10 & Club Suspended: 17/02/07 - Div 4 Naunton Park; (Suspension now lifted), 24/02/07 - Div 4 Tewkesbury Dynamos, (Suspension now lifted), Div 5 Gaffers; (Suspension now lifted);
iii) Failure to submit Teamsheets within 5 days of the match: Fine £5 for each missing teamsheet: 17/02/07 - Div 4 Naunton Park; (both sheets missing); 24/02/07 - Div 4 Tewkesbury Dynamos, (both sheets missing), Div 5 Gaffers; (both sheets missing); 03/03/07 - Div 3 Phoenix United (both sheets missing), Div 5 Charlton Rovers (both sheets missing); 10/03/07 - Div 1 Naunton Park (both sheets missing), Div 4 Naunton Park (both sheets missing);17/03/07 - Div 5 Star FC (away teamsheet missing)

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 14(b) - withdrawal of a team after the AGM. Fine £50: Naunton Park, Northway

Fixtures
John Hunt, the League's Assistant Secretary, informed the meeting that he had now re-arranged all fixtures that had recently been postponed due to the weather and cup commitments. He also reported that he had looked into the possible fixture congestion that might result for the Junior Cup Finalists, whomever they might be, and assured the meeting that, in all instances, the fixture changes that may be needed could be accommodated in the schedule without a need to extend the season.

Charity Cup Sub Committee Report

The report produced from the last meeting of the Charity Cup Sub Committee, which was held on Wednesday, 21st March, 2007, had been distributed in advance. Several points were highlighted by the General Secretary for further discussion.
The meeting was informed that, because the League was organising the Junior and Minor Cup Semi Finals at the same venue over the course of two nights, it was unsure as to the level of man power that would be required at these evenings. Every committee member was asked, therefore, to be available for at least one evening. The General Secretary was asked to contact all committee members by email to ascertain their availability for the semi finals.
It was confirmed that Hatherley Rangers would be able to provide one set of goalnets and corner posts for use at The Newlands for the semi finals on both evenings. Mr John Hunt confirmed that he would be able to provide another set of nets and posts for both evenings and Mr Bob Overington agreed that he would take responsibility for all this equipment between the two dates. It was emphasised to the committee that extra help would be needed well in advance of the 6.00 pm kick off on both April 10th & 12th to erect the goalnets and to position the corner flags. In addition, the General Secretary was asked to contact Mr Tom Holland, the General Manager at the Newlands, to ask about the provision of a barrier around both pitches for each of the games played on April 10th & 12th.
It was confirmed that the Senior Cup Final would be played at Cheltenham Town FC, Whaddon Road, , on Thursday, 26th April, 2007, with a 6.30 pm kick off. Additionally, it was confirmed that the Junior Cup Final would be played at Bishops Cleeve FC, Kayte Lane, on Friday 20th April, 2007, kicking off at 7.00 pm. After deliberation, it was agreed that the Minor Charity Cup Final should be played on Tuesday, 24th April, 2007 at Petersfield Stadium, Cheltenham Saracens FC, and that the kick off for this match would be 7.00 pm.
Having reached agreement on these dates, it was pointed out by the General Secretary that the next Management Committee meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, April 25th, the day between the Minor and Senior Charity Cup Finals. It was agreed that this meeting should be put back one week, to Wednesday, 2nd May, 2007.
The meeting was informed that the Charity Cup Sub Committee had recommended that the following persons should present the trophies at the three finals:
Senior: Mr Richard Hornbrook, Chief Executive, Chelsea Building Society
Junior: Mr Dave Walker, Chairman, Bishops Cleeve FC
Minor: Mr John Crowther, President, Cheltenham Association Football League.
These recommendations were accepted and agreed. It was noted that it, if Mr Hornbrook was not available on April 26th, the Chelsea Building Society had already agreed that another Senior Executive would attend the match in his stead to present the trophies. It was also noted that Mr Dave Lewis, the Treasurer of Bishops Cleeve FC, would be approached to present the trophies at the Junior Cup Final should Mr Walker be unavailable.
Mr Arthur Stiley, the Referee's Secretary, presented his recommendations for the referee appointments for the three Charity Cup Finals. These were
Senior Charity Cup: Referee: M Kimber
Assistants: A Ward, J Carbin
4th Official: C Dawson

Junior Charity Cup Referee: M Jefferies
Assistants: N Newport-Black, J Hearn
4th Official: E Bishop

Minor Charity Cup Referee: C Bowen
Assistants: C Molnar, E Baker
4th Official: M Murray

These recommendations were accepted and agreed, with the provision that the registration with the GFA of one of the referee's be verified before the confirmation of the appointment.

Treasurer's Report

Mr Les Fisher, the League's Treasurer, reported that £98 had been taken at the second Senior Cup Semi Final between Endsleigh and Finlay Rovers on Thursday, March 22nd, 2007. After due consideration of this, the committee requested that Mr Arthur Stiley, the Referee's secretary, stress to each appointed official for Charity Cup matches that donations to the Charity Cup funds were very welcome

Rule Revisions

The final draft of the proposed alterations to League and Charity Cup rules for Season 2007-08 had been distributed in advance and the General Secretary elaborated on the rationale behind the latest additions to the document provided. It was also explained that all the proposed changes to League Rules that were agreed by the Management Committee would now be submitted to the GFA for the consideration of its League Sanction & Rules Revisions Committee, which was scheduled to meet on April 10th.

It was also agreed that the section on the Referee's Report card which required the entry of Sportsmanship marks for the two competing teams in any given match, would be removed from the cards for season 2007-08

Chains of Office Report

The Chairman, Mr Gordon Cook, informed the Committee that two meetings had been held recently with regard to the Chains of Office that the League's Patron, Mr Dennis Barrett, had offered to purchase for the League. The reports from these meetings had been distributed in advance. The Chairman explained that the League was now in the process of investigating the purchase of Badges of Office. He also directed the attention of the meeting to the fact that it had been agreed with Mr Barrett that the cost of the production of the die, from which the medals for each of the Badges of Office would be cast, would be borne by the League. This was agreed unanimously, as was the meeting's approval of the proposed course of action with regard to this matter. The General Secretary was, therefore, instructed to progress the matter of purchasing badges of office for the League's President and Chairman with all due expeditiousness.

Any Other Business:

Mr Les Fisher, the Benevolent Scheme Secretary, reported to the meeting that he had received a claim from a Sherborne Harriers player, signed by the Club secretary, which was not supported by a medical certificate. It was confirmed by the committee that this matter could not be progressed until the medical certificates, as required, had been provided.

In his capacity of League Treasurer, Mr Fisher went on to report that clubs had been returning unused registration forms to him in lieu of payment of fines imposed. It was confirmed that this was not acceptable and that the League Treasurer should regard all fines subjected to this attempted method of remuneration as unpaid.

Mr John Crowther, the League's President, reported to the meeting that he raised the matter of the League's Senior Amateur Status at a recent meeting of the GFA County Cups (North) committee. He informed the committee that he had investigated, with the GFA committee, the prospect of every club in the League's First Division being afforded Senior Amateur Status. He confirmed that support for this suggestion had been significant within this forum but he had been instructed that the request needed to be submitted officially, in writing, before it could be progressed.
Due consideration was afforded to this matter before the motion, proposed by John Crowther and seconded by Terry Onions, that the League request full Senior Amateur status for each team in Cheltenham League Division One was put to a vote. On a show of hands, the motion was passed with seven votes in favour and six abstentions.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 8.55 pm

NEXT MEETING - WEDNESDAY 2nd MAY, 2007