Cheltenham League Meetings

CHELTENHAM ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Minutes of the Management Committee Meeting held at the Victory Club, Cheltenham, on Wednesday, 3rd October 2007.

Attendees: J Crowther, N Oram, L Fisher, P Tustain, J Hunt, A Clayton

Apologies: G Cook, R Attwood, A.Stiley, B Hill, M.Lytheer, T Onions, R.Overington

In the absence of the Chairman, Mr John Crowther took the Chair. Before commencing the meeting, Mr Crowther recorded the committee's condolences to the General Secretary on the recent sad loss of his father.

Having thanked the committee for these sentiments, the General Secretary pointed out that Mr Mike Lytheer had now missed each of the last three meetings. He informed the meeting that Mr Lytheer was keen to remain on the committee and that he was only not present at this meeting because it had been moved back a week to a date on which Mr Lytheer had already agreed to referee at the Northern Senior League Cup Final. It was pointed out to the committee that, under the provisions of League Rule 4(G), Mr Lytheer would cease to be a member of the Committee unless explicitly excused. It was unanimously agreed that Mr Lytheer should be excused.

Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday, 29th August 2007 were read and accepted, with the amendment of the words "fine at discretion of the Management Committee" to "fine £15" under the Rule Offences section of the minutes.

Matters Arising from the minutes.

The General Secretary informed the meeting that a letter had been received from Falcons in appeal against the fines that were imposed upon them at the meeting held on August 29th. The General Secretary went on to explain that the fines were imposed for a failure to pay annual subscription fees and hire fees for Cheltenham Borough Council pitches by July 31st. The meeting was informed that Falcons pointed out in their submission that they were caught by surprise by the increase in fees that they were required to pay having entered a second team in the League at the AGM and found they were unable to pay the bill on time. It was noted by the Committee that no attempt had been made by Falcons to contact an Officer of the League to discuss the difficulties that they were facing and, as such, it was decided that the appeal should fail. It was decided, however, that the appeal deposit should be returned and that the League would examine the possibility of splitting the invoicing for Subscriptions and Pitch hire fees in the future.
The General Secretary informed the meeting that a letter had been received from Tewkesbury Town in appeal against the fines that were imposed upon them at the meeting held on August 29th. These fines were imposed for a failure to pay annual subscription fees by July 31st. Tewkesbury Town point out in their submission that, at the time that they wanted to deal with this invoice, at the end of July, Tewkesbury was flooded and they were unable to make the necessary arrangements to ensure that payment was made on time. In considering this matter, it was pointed out to the Committee that the invoice in question was due for payment more than 6 weeks after it was issued and that, as such, Tewkesbury Town had been given ample opportunity to pay it. Consequently, it was decided that the appeal should fail but that the appeal deposit should be returned.
Further to the two appeals that had just been considered, the Committee agreed that, in future, it should be explained to clubs that applied to enter an additional team in the League that their pre-season costs would increase substantially if they succeeded in their application and that, possibly, some form of guarantee that the club would be able to meet these costs should be sought.
In relation to the appeal from Bourton Rovers that was considered at the last meeting and on which a decision was deferred, pending Mr Arthur Stiley speaking to the Officially appointed referee for the match in question, Mr J Marston, the General Secretary informed the meeting, in Mr Stiley's absence, that Mr Marston had confirmed that he had completed a Match Referee's Result Card after the game and that he handed this to a representative of Bourton Rovers in the club bar when he was paid his match fees and expenses. On consideration of this submission from Mr Marston, it was decided that the appeal should fail and that the appeal deposit should be retained.
The General Secretary informed the meeting that both new badges of office had been returned from Brownings, duly engraved and complete with the bars that represented the previous holders of the positions of President and Chairman.
It was reported to the Committee that a letter expressing the support of the whole league had been sent to Mr Russell Anderson and his family in South Africa. The committee was also informed that, during an informal meeting with Mr Paul Hockey, the current Secretary of FC Barometrics, during which Mr Hockey collected his clubs allocation of handbooks, the General Secretary was informed that the Anderson family were now back in the Country and that all were in good health.
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Correspondence & Referees Reports:
Correspondence Reported for Discussion

Email from Bourton Rovers, complete with a copy of the result card from the Division Two match with Northleach Town on 6th September and a letter of explanation for the fact that James Mills was erroneously played in this match although he had not been registered with the League .Bourton Rovers inform the League that James Mills had signed Northern Senior League Registration Forms but had not signed Cheltenham League forms, unbeknownst to the Reserve Team manager.
Bourton Rovers also point out that Northleach Town included a player who was only 15 years old in their team for this match
Following consideration of the first matter raised by Bourton Rovers, it was agreed that, whilst the club had not acted with any malice aforethought, the committee was left with little alternative other than to fine the club £15 and deduct 3 points from its total for playing an ineligible player. It was noted that the player in question had not, yet, registered with the Cheltenham League for the current season.
The second matter was referred to the League Registration Secretary for comment. He confirmed that the registration of the player concerned had been accepted by the League prior to the instruction issued at the last meeting, prohibiting players who were under 16 playing in the competition. It was noted that the game in question was played just 3 days after the date of issue of the minutes of the last meeting and the associated newsletter. The League Registration Secretary confirmed that, on receipt of the email from Bourton Rovers, he contacted Northleach Town and informed them that the player who was under 16 was not permitted to play in the competition again until he attained the age of 16. It was noted that the player was now 16 and able to play in the Cheltenham League.
The committee thanked Bourton Rovers for bringing this matter to its attention but felt that, in this instance, there was no need for any further action.
Letter from Bishops Cleeve explaining the reasons why the club was unable to fulfil its Division Three fixture at Broadway United on Thursday, 13th September.
This was noted. The General Secretary commended Bishops Cleeve FC for the manner in which they had handled this issue. However, it was unanimously agreed that the club would be fined £15 and that 3 points would be deducted from its total in Division Three.
Following consideration of the last two issues, the committee resolved that it should endeavour, in the future, to apply more stringent penalties to those clubs that had transgressed the League's Rules to the extent that they had points deducted from their total but which had not acted in the manner exemplified by the clubs concerned in these matters.
Letter from Northway explaining that the club cancelled its Division One fixture with Winchcombe Town on September 15th because of a bug that caused severe illness to a considerable number of the clubs players. The club also explains that it is in negotiations with the local Parish Council for the provision of portakabins, with shower facilities, to act as changing rooms whilst their permanent changing facilities are renovated after the floods.
The committee welcomed the news about the changing facilities at Ashchurch. It was agreed unanimously that Northway should be fined £15 and have three points deducted from its total in Division One.
Letter from the GFA containing a cheque for £4.30 in repayment of postage paid for FA Cup Final tickets in May that were hand delivered.
This was noted, as was the fact that it had taken 5 months for the GFA to return payment of this amount.
Email from Prestbury Rovers, detailing the circumstances in which the club found itself to be suspended on Saturday, 22nd September, leading to the postponement of the club's Division One match that day
This submission was considered as mitigation against the charges that were to be raised against Prestbury Rovers under the rule offences section of the agenda. Following deliberation, it was decided that Prestbury Rovers should be fined according to rule.
Letter from Whaddon United detailing the circumstances in which the club found itself suspended by the League on Saturday, 22nd September, leading to the postponement of the Club's Division Two and Division Three matches that day. This explained that Whaddon United were suspended following the non payment of an invoice, relating to a fine imposed for failing to confirm acceptance of fixtures before the beginning of the season. Whaddon United submitted that they had confirmed acceptance of the fixtures once their Secretary's propensity to utilise email had been rectified following problems with a virus. They also submitted that they had not been officially informed of the fine, of which they were only aware from an entry in the minutes for the last meeting and that they had not received the invoice. In conclusion, Whaddon United asked for a late appeal against the original offence, of not acknowledging the fixtures, to be considered and for the suspension to be overruled.
Following consideration, it was decided that the late appeal would not be allowed. Additionally, the committee unanimously decided that the mitigation provided by Whaddon United did not materially alter the facts of the matter and that the club should be fined according to rule.
Letter from the Cheltenham General Hospital League of Friends in which they, again, thank the League for its donation at the end of last season and ask if it might be possible to stimulate awareness of their Autumn Fayre, which will be held at the Sacred Hearts Hall on 27th October from 10.00 am to 12.30 pm
This was noted and it was agreed that the League should advertise the event on its web site.
Email from Jean Smith, Cheltenham Borough Council, pointing out to the League that problems are being experienced at Borough Council Grounds, both with litter and with pavilions being left open, and asking the League's permission to attend the next club's meeting to explain these problems to all clubs.
It was agreed that the representatives of Cheltenham Borough Council should be given leave to address the clubs meeting at the end of October.

Correspondence Notified to the Meeting but not discussed

Letter from GFA containing details of the draw for the preliminary rounds of the County Cups
Email from Elmbridge Old Boys asking that the name of their regular home venue be changed from Oxstalls School to Bishops College on Full Time as the school are now unhappy about their old name being used
Email from Smiths Athletic informing the League that they have new change colours for their reserve team in Division Three. These are now Yellow Shirts, Blue shorts and Blue socks
Email from Elmbridge Old Boys, giving notice of the fact that their club colours are printed incorrectly in the handbook. They should read as first choice colours of Red / Black striped shirts, black shorts and black socks, with change colours of royal blue shirts, royal blue shorts and royal blue socks
Email from Moreton Rangers informing the League that the Club Secretary's telephone number is printed wrongly in the handbook. It should read 01608 650955
Letter from Cleevonians thanking the League for rearranging the club's Division 5 match that was originally scheduled for September 22nd and assuring the League that the club would soon be able to be contacted again via email
Letter from Vaughtons containing delivery details for the Chairman's Badge of Office
Email from the GFA in response to a request for guidance on the matter of ID cards, informing the League that the matter would be referred to Vernon Windell, the chair of the Rules Revision Committee, for comment and assuring the League that the GFA General Secretary would make enquiries of other Leagues that operated an ID Scheme
Further email from the GFA giving clarification of a number of points raised by the League with regard to ID cards and informing the league that the County FA was unaware of any adult Saturday League's which utilised such a scheme
Email from Tewkesbury Rovers pointing out that the change kit indicated on the web site was not correct.
This has now been altered
Email from Woodmancote asking for permission to cancel the club's match at home to Siddington on September 22nd because the players had been invited to a christening.
This request was refused
Email from Richard Melinn, the County Referee Development Officer, asking that it be noted that the suspension imposed upon referee Adrian Forrester had now been served and that this referee was now able to resume refereeing
Email from Broadway United pointing out that the match between Broadway United and St Marks Community Association on Saturday, 8th September, had been a 2-0 win to Broadway United and not a 2-0 win to St Marks Community Association, as detailed on Full Time.
This has now been amended
Email from Tivoli Rovers informing the League that the telephone number for the club's alternative contact had now been changed to 01452 883252
Email from Winchcombe Town informing the League that Northway cancelled the Division One fixture between the two clubs scheduled for September 15th at noon that day, claiming that the club had nine injuries and could not raise a side. Winchcombe also point out that the correct mobile phone number for their alternative contact is 07798 631266
Email from Brockworth Albion informing the League that their secretary would be absent from September 21st to September 28th
Email from GFA with regard to goal post safety
Email from Steve Ireland, Secretary of Swindon Village Rovers FC, asking for details of the procedure for applying for membership of the League
Email from Charlton Kings informing the League that the new email address for their Secretary is R-WILKS@sky.com
Email from Richard Melinn, the County Referee Development Officer, containing a newsletter relating to Referee's Development. Salient points will be added to the League's own Newsletter.
Email from the GFA asking for contributions to a new, quarterly Gloucestershire FA magazine.
Contribution regarding the new Badges of Office sent before the publishing deadline
Email from Winchcombe Town informing the League that their secretary has resigned and asking that all League matters should be directed to Jonathan Young in the immediate term
Email sent to Jonathan Young asking for confirmation of this arrangement.
Email received in reply from Jonathan Young confirming that he is the interim contact for Winchcombe Town and informing the League that the Club have a committee meeting on Monday, 1st October, 2007 at which it was hoped a permanent successor to James Theyer would be appointed
Email from Tewkesbury Rovers, asking for confirmation that the club did not have a fixture on Saturday, 29th September, as it believed that it was due to play Siddington in the County Cup but that it had received no notification of this from the County FA
Reply sent advising the club to contact the County FA and Don Fletcher, the County Cup's Secretary, immediately for clarification
Email from Winchcombe Town informing the League that Phil Comfort will be taking over as Secretary immediately upon his return from holiday on October 10th and that the club email address, of wt_fc@hotmail.co.uk would continue to be used for all club correspondence

Referees Reports reported for discussion

Before considering the referee's reports that had been provided during the course of the first month of the season, the General Secretary provided the committee with a report detailing the number of Referee Report Cards that had been returned during September. This report indicated that approximately 75% of matches played with Official Referees had cards returned and that 21 of the League's referees had returned a card for every game at which they had officiated. The General Secretary assured the meeting that he would endeavour to produce a version of this report at every meeting during the course of the season, so that those referees who habitually fail to submit result cards might be identified.

C & G v Sherborne Harriers, Div 5, Tues 04/09/07: Referee N Newport-Black reports that this game was reversed, having first been scheduled to be played as a Sherborne Harriers home fixture and that he, as the originally appointed referee, was not informed. He further reports that he did not realise that the venue of the game had been switched until he arrived at Sherborne and he, therefore, claims £8 travel expenses from the League.
It was agreed that the League should reimburse Mr Newport Black for his £8 travel expenses and that Mr Newport-Black should also be paid his full match fee of £16.
Apperley v Broadway United, Div 3, Wed 05/09/07: Referee J Marston reports that Broadway United made an error on their teamsheet as they stated the forename of the player wearing their No 15 shirt was Daniel when it should have read Ben. Mr Marston reports that Apperley were notified of this mistake and were not concerned about it.
It was decided that no further action should be taken with regard to this matter.
Prestbury Rovers v Newton FC, Div 1, Tues 11/09/07: Referee J Harding reports that, although he was paid his match fee and expenses exactly 15 minutes after the end of the game, he was not given a match result card to complete and sign
Northway v Shipton Oliffe, Div 1, Sat 22/09/07: Referee J Marston reports that a Shipton Oliffe player was shown the red card following the match because of a violent act perpetrated against the Northway linesman and that, due to this, he did not sign the result card after the match.
In response to a direct enquiry, Mr Fisher, the Results Secretary, informed the meeting that he believed that Northway did submit an Official Referee's Result card for this match. Mr Fisher was asked to bring this card to the next meeting and it was decided that this matter would be held in abeyance until then.
Woodmancote v Siddington, Div 1, Sat 22/09/07: Referee P Pawsey reports that there was no shower in the Referee's room at Woodmancote
The General Secretary was asked to write to Woodmancote for their comments.

Referees Reports Notified but not discussed

Bredon Res v High Tech Rangers, Div 2, Sat 01/09/07: Referee J Marston reports that this game was spoilt in his opinion by the constant appealing from High Tech Rangers throughout the game
Dowty Dynamos v Cheltenham Saracens III, Div 2, Sat 01/09/07: Referee E Bishop reports that this game was an outstanding first game of the season and a pleasure to referee
FC Barometrics v Gala Wilton Res, Div 2, Sat 01/09/07: Referee M Jefferies reports that this game was played on a very poor pitch that had not been cut
Siddington v Moreton Rangers, Div 1, Wed 05/09/07: Referee E Baker reports that this game was very enjoyable
Endsleigh v Newton FC, Div 1, Wed 05/09/07: Referee M Ball reports that the enjoyed this high impact game but also highlights the fact that many players from both sides spoiled the flow of the game with their very poor attitude towards decisions made.
Smiths Athletic Res v Whaddon United Res, Div 2, Wed 05/09/07: Referee E Bishop reports that this game was a fine display of football, especially from Whaddon United's reserve team
Woodmancote v Kings, Div 1, Sat 08/09/07: Referee E Bishop reports that this was a good, competitive match between two good, footballing teams who cancelled each other out
Bourton Rovers v Dowty Dynamos, Div 2, Sat 08/09/07: Referee M Ball reports that this was an enjoyable and competitive match to officiate
Gloucester Elmleaze v Charlton Rovers, Div 3, Sat 08/09/07: Referee J Marston reports that this was an excellent match with 2 well behaved teams playing on a pitch that was well marked out and that it was a credit to the Cheltenham League
St Marks Community Association v Broadway United, Div 3, Sat 08/09/07: Referee J Harding reports that this was one of the best matches he has refereed in the Cheltenham League over many years as both sides wanted to play football and that there was not a suggestion of a caution or dismissal.
Tewkesbury Dynamos Res v Gaffers Res, Div 5, Mon 10/09/07: Referee M Murray reports that, after allowing an advantage to Gaffers to be played on a particular occasion, he was verbally insulted by a Gaffers player
Star FC Res v AC Olympia, Div 2, Tues 11/09/07: Referee C Burridge reports that this was an excellent, sporting match, for which he marked both sides with 10, in which both teams played good football.
Newton FC v Siddington, Div 1, Sat 15/09/07: Referee P Pawsey reports that the pitch was covered with Dog excrement before the kick off and that it took 30 minutes to clear it. He also reports that he cautioned the Newton FC manager and that he was a little intimidating at times.
Kings Res v Churchdown Panthers, Div 4, Sat 15/09/07: Referee M Jagus reports that kick off for this match was delayed by 5 minutes because Churchdown Panthers did not have a change of kit and eventually played in red training bibs
Kings Reserves v Charlton Kings, Div 4, Sat 22/09/07: Referee E.Bishop reports that this was a good game and that he omitted to enter the number of players used by both sides on the official Referee's Result Card. These were Kings Reserves (13) and Charlton Kings (14)

Rule Offences:

The General Secretary drew the attention of the meeting to the fact that the Rule Offences, as presented to the meeting, showed all clubs that had failed to telephone a result to the Results Secretary charged under both rule 5(h) and rule 11(b). It was explained that it was felt that rule 11(b) dealt adequately with clubs that were late in ringing a result through to Mr Fisher but that it did not differentiate between those clubs who were merely late, but still rang the result through, and those clubs who did not ring the result through at all. The meeting was informed that Mr Fisher was put to a lot of unnecessary extra effort by each club that did not ring a result through at all and that this usually required him to engage in numerous telephone calls, sometimes even to the match referee, to ascertain the result of a match. The committee agreed that such instances demanded more punitive measures than those imposed on clubs who were simply late in reporting their results but the committee felt that it could not sanction charging clubs under two different rules for the same offence. It was therefore agreed that clubs which did not report results at all would be charged under rule 5(h) for failing to satisfactorily attend to the Business of the competition and that fines imposed under this rule would, in general, begin at £15 and increment by at least £5 for each subsequent offence, although as fines for transgressions of rule 5(h) were imposed at the discretion of the Management Committee, each instance would be judged on its own merit.

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 5h: Failure to satisfactorily attend to the business of the League.

i) Failure to contact Results Secretary with match result - Fined £15: 01/09/2007 - Div 1 Moreton Rangers, County Cup Finlay Rovers; 05/09/2007 - Div 3 Apperley, Div 3 Winchcombe Town; 08/09/2007 - Div 2 Cheltenham Saracens; 15/09/2007 - Div 1 Prestbury Rovers, Div 3 Phoenix United; 22/09/2007 - Div 1 Woodmancote, Div 2 Bourton Rovers, Brockworth Albion, Div 3 Gloucester Elmleaze
ii) Failure to contact Results Secretary with match result - Fined £20: 15/09/2007 - Div 1 Moreton Rangers; 22/09/2007 - Div 3 Apperley
iii) Failure to reply to Identity Card Email Poll - Fined £5: Gala Wilton, Northleach Town, Tewkesbury Dynamos

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 5i: Late Payment of Invoices - Fined £15.

i). Invoices due 17/09/2007: Whaddon United (invoice 91, £15, club suspended on 17/09/2007, invoice paid & suspension lifted 03/10/2007)

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 8Q - playing an ineligible player - Fined £15 & 3 points deducted: 04/09/2007 - Div 2 Bourton Rovers

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 9a - failure to provide a change kit when required - fine £5: 15/09/2007 - Div 4 Churchdown Panthers

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

i). Late Kick-offs (away team). 15/09/2007 - Div 4 Churchdown Panthers (5 minutes late - fine £5)

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 10e - playing with less than 11 players: 08/09/2007 - Div 4 Smiths Athletic (played with 10 players - fine £3); 15/09/2007 Apperley (played with 9 players - fine £6);

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 10f: Failure to fulfil a fixture: Fined £15 and 3 points deducted: 13/09/2007 - Div 3 Bishops Cleeve; 15/09/2007 Div 1 Northway; 22/09/2007 - Div 1 Prestbury Rovers, Div 2 Whaddon United, Div 3 Whaddon United.

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 11a - failure to complete Result cards correctly. Fine £5 for each offence
Late Cards: 01/09/2007 - Div 3 St Marks Community Association, Div5 Falcons; 08/09/2007 - Div 1 Prestbury Rovers, Div 3 St Marks Community Association, Div 4 Gaffers, Div 5 Gaffers; 15/09/2007 - Div 3 Falcons, Div 4 Gaffers, Charlton Kings, Div 5 Gaffers
No Result: 08/09/2007 - Div 4 Charlton Kings; 22/09/2007 - Div 2 Tewkesbury Dynamos
Incorrect Score: 08/09/2007 - Div 5 Cleevonians ( stated 4-3 when 3-2); 11/09/2007 - Div 2 FC Barometrics ( stated 4-2 when 4-0); 15/09/2007 - Div 4 Civil Service ( stated 2-1to Civil service when was 2-1 Brockworth)
No Referee Named: 04/09/2007 - Div 2 Charlton Rovers; 22/09/2007 - Div 5 FC Barometrics (no referee named when I Hamilton)
Incorrect Referees Name: 11/09/2007 - Div 2 FC Barometrics ( stated C Bowen when L Cole); 15/09/2007 - Div 1 Woodmancote (stated M Kimber when N Rees), Div 5 Tewkesbury Town (stated M Harvey when C Hall); 22/09/2007 - Div 4 Cheltenham Saracens (stated I Addison when I Parsons), Div 5 FC Electrics (stated N Peters when R Morris)
No Referees Marks: 08/09/2007 - Div 4 Charlton Kings; 15/09/2007 - Div 2 Tewkesbury Dynamos
Incorrect Sportsmanship Marks: 08/09/2007 - Div 4 Tewkesbury Rovers; 13/09/2007 - Div 4 Gaffers; 15/09/2007 - Div 4 Tewkesbury Rovers, Gaffers, Div 5 Gaffers; 22/09/2007 - Div 4 Tewkesbury Rovers, Div 5 Falcons, Gaffers
No Sportsmanship Marks: 08/09/2007 - Div 4 Charlton Kings

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 13c - Failure to provide a linesman for the whole match. Fine £5: 08/09/2007 - Div 4 Smiths Athletic;

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 13h - submitting incorrect marks for referees -Referees not marked out of 100: Fine £5: 08/09/2007 - Div 4 Tewkesbury Rovers; 15/09/2007 - Div 4 Tewkesbury Rovers; 22/09/2007 - Div 4 Tewkesbury Rovers

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

i. Submission of an incomplete Club Referee's Card. Fine £10: 08/09/2007 - Div 5 C & G (No team names);
ii. Failure to submit Referee's Card within 5 days of the match. Fine £10: 11/09/2007 - Div 1 Prestbury Rovers; 15/09/2007 - Div 1 Finlay Rovers, Div 3 Bishops Cleeve, Falcons, Div 5 Falcons.
iii. Failure to submit Referee's Card within 5 days of the match. Fine £10 & club Suspended: 11/09/2007 - Div 1 Prestbury Rovers (suspension now lifted); 15/09/2007 - Div 1 Finlay Rovers (suspension now lifted), Div 3, Falcons, Div 5 Falcons (suspension now lifted).
iv. Failure to submit Teamsheets within 5 days of the match. Fine £5 for each missing teamsheet: 11/09/2007 - Div 1 Prestbury Rovers (both sheets missing); 15/09/2007 - Div 3 Bishops Cleeve (both sheets missing), Falcons (both sheets missing), Div 5 Falcons (both sheets missing).

Identity Cards

The meeting was informed that, in accordance with the directive that had been decided upon at the last meeting, a referendum of all clubs with access to email had been held throughout September to gauge potential support for the prospective proposal of an Identity Card scheme at the next Annual General meeting. The results of this referendum were distributed to Committee members. The General Secretary pointed out that, as a general, but not exclusive, rule, clubs with one team had tended to declare their support for the proposal whilst the majority of those clubs with multiple teams in the league had indicated that they would not be likely to vote in favour. The opinion was expressed that this probably related to the greater level of complexity such a scheme might present for multiple team clubs. Overall, it was believed that, as only 4 more clubs declared that they were likely to support an identity card scheme than those that said they would not, a sub committee to examine the requirements of such a proposal should not be established at present.
It was further reported to the Committee that an enquiry had been made of the GFA with regard to the options that were open to the League in relation to this matter and that, whilst the response received had been helpful, it had served to further limit the scope available to the League.
The General Secretary informed the meeting that he was continuing to look into the formulation of a workable identification scheme and that he would report back to the Committee should any progress be made.

Fixtures

Mr John Hunt reported that everything in respect of fixtures was going well, with only a few games, such as those postponed because of cup commitments and recent suspensions, requiring rearrangement. He also informed the meeting that Mr Arthur Stiley, one of the League's representatives on the County Cups Committee, would be attending the next meeting of that committee on Thursday, 11th October and that the draw for the next round of all competitions would be forwarded to Mr Hunt immediately following the meeting. Mr Hunt emphasised to the meeting the fact that, as soon as this was done, he would be able to start to rearrange games between sides no longer involved in the County Cup for the next two County Cup dates, these being October 27th & November 3rd.

Registrations

Mr Phil Tustain reported that he was concerned about the fact that a significant number of club secretaries were leaving the responsibility for sending result cards to the League to team managers and he assured the meeting that he would be warning delegates against this practice when he gave his report at the club's meeting at the end of October. He also informed the meeting that he was only receiving electronic result cards from 6 clubs, whereas he had been informed, by his predecessor in the position, Mr Terry Onions, that the majority of clubs sent through their result details via email. Mr Tustain expressed both his concern that clubs were not aware of his email details, these being "philiptustain@aol.com" and, also, his hope that more clubs would start to utilise this rather more efficient means of communicating this information in the future. He agreed that he would also bring this matter up at the clubs meeting at the end of October.

Any Other Business:

The General Secretary informed the meeting that he had been in receipt of numerous enquiries relating to kick off times for Saturday, 13th October, this being the latest date on which the FA had summarily decided to start an international at Wembley at 3.00 pm. The meeting was informed that there were numerous league games that day which were scheduled to start at 3.00 pm, as well as the first rounds of the Senior & Junior Charity Cups, which all had a 2.30 pm kick off. It was agreed that, in keeping with established practice in instances such as these, it would be permissible for matches to be rescheduled to an earlier kick off so long as both teams, the appointed referee and the authorities responsible for the control of the ground were in agreement. It was also noted that, if such agreement was reached, it was a requirement that the League Assistant Secretary, Mr John Hunt, must be informed before the day of the fixture to sanction the rearranged kick off time.

It was noted that postal strikes could affect communications over the weekend of October 6th and all clubs that might be affected were asked to be extra cautious when submitting correspondence to the post during this time.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 8.59 pm

NEXT MEETING - WEDNESDAY 31st OCTOBER, 2007