Cheltenham League Meetings

CHELTENHAM ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Minutes of the Management Committee Meeting held at the Victory Club, Cheltenham, on Wednesday, 26th March, 2008.

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

Apologies: A.Stiley, R.Overington

Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday, 27th February 2008 were read and accepted.

Matters Arising from the minutes.

The General Secretary informed the meeting that the matter of the club linesman used by Newton FC during the Division One match against Winchcombe Town in January had been investigated and that a reply, to a request for further information, had been received from Newton FC. This had detailed the fact that the person running the line for Newton FC during the second half of the match had been Andrew Smith. It was noted by the committee that there was no reason why Mr Smith should not perform this function for Newton FC and the matter was, therefore, considered closed.
The General Secretary informed the meeting that there had been further correspondence with Cheltenham Civil Service on the matter of the behaviour of the club's 4th team towards club volunteer referees. It was decided that this matter should be dealt with under correspondence.
The meeting was also informed by the General Secretary that a reply had, eventually, been received from Northleach Town to the allegations made by Cleevonians, relating to the suspicion that Northleach Town had played 5 players who were not on the teamsheet in the Division 5 match between the two sides during February. It was also agreed that this matter would be dealt with under correspondence.
The attention of the meeting was then brought to the fact that Broadway United had registered an appeal against the fine imposed upon the club at the Management Committee meeting held on 27th February, 2008. In its submission, the club pointed out that it was fined under rule 5(i) for failing to pay an invoice by the due date specified, which was Monday, 18th February. In mitigation, the club informed the League that the payment was put in the post at 9.00 am on Saturday, 16th February and that the post should have been collected at noon that same day. It was confirmed that the payment did not arrive until Wednesday, 20th February.
Following deliberation, it was decided that this appeal should be unsuccessful. It was, however, also decided that Broadway United's appeal fee should be returned
The meeting was also informed that a letter had been written to the referee who had been discussed at the previous meeting for failing to send report cards following matches to which he was appointed and, also, for his reticence in completing Official Match Referee Result Cards. It was pointed out to the meeting that, since this letter was dispatched, the referee in question had been appointed to two further matches and that he had failed to complete an Official Referee's Report Card on both occasions.
The failure of the referee in question to provide the League with Match Report Cards for the two matches at which he had officiated since receiving a letter from the League asking for him to comply with the requirements of League Rules, was noted. As a consequence, it was decided that this particular referee would not be offered any further appointments in the League this season beyond those for which notification had already been issued.

Charity Cup Sub Committee Report

The report produced following the meeting of the Charity Cup Sub Committee, which was held on Tuesday, 18th March, 2008, had been distributed in advance. Before its adoption was considered, the General Secretary brought the attention of the meeting to numerous points contained within the report. Firstly, he drew the attention of the meeting to the fact that the two Senior Charity Cup Semi Finals had raised a total of £550 between them and this was duly noted by the committee. The General Secretary then pointed out to the Committee that the Charity Cup Sub Committee had compiled a list of tasks that needed to be undertaken at the remaining Cup Semi Finals and the three Cup Finals, all of which were scheduled to be played in April. It was noted that nearly all these tasks had already been assigned to volunteers from the Charity Cup Sub Committee but it was emphasised that further volunteers were required to cover all these tasks. Having received the necessary volunteers from the full committee, the General Secretary undertook to circulate the roster of duties for the 5 evenings in question to the committee as soon as possible following the meeting. In addition, members of the committee who did not have any official duties were asked to attend these games if at all possible. The Chairman also informed the meeting that the League had, once again, been fortunate enough to acquire the use of the Hospitality Suite at Whaddon Road on the evening of the Senior Cup Final. As a consequence, he requested that any officers not engaged in other duties make themselves available to entertain the League's guests on the evening. This was noted and agreed.
The Management Committee then considered the committee's recommendations for Match Official appointments for the Final matches of each of the three competitions. These recommendations were:
Senior Cup
Referee: W Wain
Assistants: K Iles
W Gibbard
4th Official S Wain

Junior Cup
Referee: M Lytheer
Assistants: M Ball
P Pawsey
4th Official P Kerrod

Minor Cup
Referee: P Barrett
Assistants N Rees
J Marston
4th Official G McNamara
These proposed appointments were ratified
It was confirmed that the date of the Senior Cup Final was to be Wednesday, April 16th. Mr John Hunt was asked to confirm the date of the other two matches and Mr Hunt referred to Mr Tustain, in his capacity of Secretary of Bishops Cleeve FC, as the date on which the Junior Cup Final could be played at Kayte Lane was required before all dates could be confirmed. Mr Tustain confirmed that he would get the details of the optimum date for all concerned to the League as soon as possible
The attention of the meeting was then turned to the purchase of the new Junior Charity Cup. The Sub Committee proposed that this cup be dedicated to the League's Patron, Mr Dennis Barrett. This was agreed. It was further suggested that a distinction be made in the handbook, when listing the winners of the Junior Charity Cup, between those clubs that had been presented with the Midwinter Cup, which was about to be retired, and those that had been presented with the Dennis Barrett Cup, which was about to replace it. This was agreed.
Finally, the Sub Committee's proposals for presentation parties were also considered and ratified, these being

Senior Cup: Mr Keith Downing
Junior Cup: Mr Dennis Barrett
Minor Cup: Mr Les Fisher.

In conclusion, the report of the Charity Cup Sub Committee was adopted by the Management Committee and the Chairman thanked all the members of the Charity Cup Sub Committee for their efforts and commitment to the competition during the course of the 2007-08 campaign.

Correspondence & Referees Reports:

Correspondence Reported for Discussion

Email from Sherborne Harriers requesting the re-arrangement of the club's Division 5 fxture with Tewkesbury Town Reserves on Saturday, 12th April, 2008 because of a Stag weekend.
It was noted that this matter had already been dealt with as Sherborne Harriers now believed that they would be able to field a side on the date in question.
Email from Newton FC, in response to a communication from the League, informing the League that the person who ran the line for the club during the second half of the club's Division One fixture against Winchcombe Town on Saturday, 26th January, 2008, was Andrew Smith.
It was noted that this matter had been dealt with under Matters Arising From the Minutes.
Email from Andoversford Nomads making suggestions with regard to the manner in which the League could increase its use of the internet and, therefore, reduce its carbon footprint, in accordance with the carbonfootyprint campaign.
The suggestions were noted but it was agreed that it was not practical to review the League's administrative practices at this time. The League Secretary was asked to write to the Secretary of Andoversford Nomads, however, and thank him for the interest he had shown in the processes of the League
Email from Cheltenham Civil Service in response to the League's request for the club's comments on the reports that had been received relating to the manner in which the club's 4th team conduct itself in matches for which there was no officially appointed referee.
Email from Star FC reporting to the manner in which Cheltenham Civil Service IV behaved towards a club volunteer referee during the course of the Division 5 match between the two clubs on Saturday, 23rd February, 2008
The General Secretary gave a summary of the correspondence that had been entered into with regard to this issue and it was noted by the committee that the matter had, effectively, been brought to a conclusion by an email from the Chairman of Cheltenham Civil Service FC. This was welcomed by the meeting and it was decided that no further action was necessary at this time.
Email from Tewkesbury Dynamos relating to the club's constitution.
The General Secretary was asked to write to Tewkesbury Dynamos to confirm that the League would have no objection to the proposed changes in the club's constitution, so long as the changes were implemented in accordance with the requirements of both the League and the GFA.
Letter from Mr Les Fisher, informing the League of his decision to resign as Treasurer of the League with effect from the end of the current season.
This was noted and, with reluctance, Mr Fisher's resignation was accepted by the Management Committee. It was also noted that Mr Fisher had expressed his willingness to continue as League Results Secretary and as a member of the Charity Cup Sub Committee, and, in both instances, these were endorsed by the committee. The Chairman then expressed the debt of gratitude that the League owed to Mr Fisher for his service as Treasurer over the course of the last 5 years, and extended these thanks to Mr Fisher's wife, who had offered invaluable assistance, often without recognition, throughout Mr Fisher's tenure as Treasurer.
The Chairman then asked those committee members present to consider whether or not they might be able to take over as Treasurer next season and the General Secretary was asked to both announce Mr Fisher's resignation in the next newsletter and, also, to request that any volunteer, to assume the position of Treasurer, contact him within the next 14 days.
Letter from Northleach Town in response to the League's request for the club's comments regarding allegations made by Cleevonians that the club had fielded 5 players not named on the teamsheet for the Division 5 match between the two clubs on Saturday, 16th February, 2008.
It was noted that Northleach Town had denied fielding any ineligible players in the fixture concerned. As a consequence, and in the absence of any other independent evidence, it was decided that no further action was possible and that the matter should be considered closed.

Before considering the next item, Mr Terry Onions was required to withdraw from the meeting.

Email from Gaffers expressing the club's belief that Gala Wilton had fielded a player who was not named on the teamsheet and who may have been ineligible in the Division 4 match between the two sides on Saturday, 15th March 2008. Gaffers provide details of the teamsheet submitted by Gala Wilton for this match, on which the number 10 shirt was ascribed to "B Culley" and also gave the names of 4 of their players who identified the Gala Wilton number 10 to be Andrew Trout, whose name does not appear on the teamsheet at all. Gaffers also informed the League that the player who wore the number 10 shirt for Gala Wilton in this match scored all 4 of his side's goals in their 4-2 victory.
Email from Gala Wilton forwarding a copy of the club's match result card for this fixture, detailing A Trout as having played in the game and assuring the League that a report would be sent, giving details of the full circumstances in which this situation arose.
Further email from Gala Wilton, in which the club admitted that their third team had deliberately fielded a player whom they knew to be ineligible in the match in question. In this email, the club also details both the internal actions that have been taken since the incident and, also, the club's willingness to accept whatever punishment the League deemed to be appropriate.
Following significant debate with regard to the salient facts of this matter, the committee decided on the course of action that it felt to be most appropriate and then called Mr Onions back into the room to explain the result of these deliberations. Once Mr Onions had rejoined the meeting, the Chairman explained the gravity that the committee had associated with the incident and then asked the General Secretary to detail the measures that were to be taken against Gala Wilton. The General Secretary then explained that the club had been charged with an offence under League Rule 8(q) for playing an ineligible player and that this offence had been found to be proven. As a consequence, the match itself had been declared null and void and all the points won by Gala Wilton, and the goals scored by each club, had been stricken from the records. It was further explained that this match would be rearranged for a date in April and that Gala Wilton would be responsible for all reasonable expenses incurred by Gaffers in fulfilling this rearranged fixture, as, indeed, Gala Wilton had offered to do in their second email. The General Secretary then went on to inform Mr Onions that the committee had also decided that Gala Wilton would have 4 points deducted from its total in Division 4 and that the club would also be fined £20.
Subsequent to this, the General Secretary then informed to Mr Onions that Gala Wilton had also been charged with an offence under rule 5(h), for failing to satisfactorily attend to the business of the league. It was explained that the club had been charged with this offence as a result of the fact that, during the course of the Committee's deliberations on the matter of the inclusion of the ineligible player, it had come to light that the club had not provided the League with the playing details of any Northern Senior League Division Two match in which it had taken part all season. Mr Onions was informed that the club had also been found guilty of this offence and that, as a result, the club was fined £30, warned as to its future conduct and required to provide the Registration Secretary with the necessary, missing details within 7 days of the meeting.
Email from Woodmancote, in which the club ask if they can include players who have not returned club equipment, in particular tracksuits and polo shirts that were issued to players explicitly for the duration of the season only, on the Club Player Debts form at the end of the season, if the items are not returned by certain individuals.
The committee instructed the General Secretary to write to Woodmancote and inform them that it was acceptable to include players on the CDP1 who had not returned kit at the end of the season, so long as the club could demonstrate that it was understood by all parties that it provided in the first place on a returnable basis and that the club could prove that it had made reasonable attempts to obtain the return of the items.
Email from Smiths Athletic reporting to the League the fact that the officially appointed referee for the club's away Division 4 fixture with Cheltenham Civil Service did not show up and asking whether or not the referee in question would be apologising to the clubs concerned for his absence.
Following consideration of this matter, it transpired that the referee in question appeared to have become confused about the identity of the home side for the fixture to which he was allocated on the date in question and attended the wrong ground. Consequently, the General Secretary was asked to write to Smiths Athletic in sympathy at the plight in which both clubs, in this instance, found themselves and to offer the apologies of the League, even though there was very little anyone could have done about what was an honest mistake.

Correspondence Notified to the Meeting but not discussed
Email from Prestbury Rovers requesting the re-arrangement of numerous of their fixtures so that the club was left without a game on Saturday, 26th April, 2008, on which date they would be without the majority of their squad.
Following consideration of this request, it was noted that no other team was inconvenienced by the proposals put forward by Prestbury Rovers and, therefore, the suggested alterations to the fixtures have been made
Email from Tivoli Rovers informing the League that their secretary now has a new mobile telephone number, which is 07754 578204
Email from Tewkesbury Town informing the League that the club intended to move its Division 3 match against Whaddon United Reserves to Tewkesbury School as they were unable to access the changing rooms at Tewkesbury Rugby Club on that date
Email from FC Barometrics giving details of the Club's likely 16 man squad for the Senior Charity Cup Final
Email from Bishops Cleeve informing the League that the Club Secretary has a new mobile phone number, this being 07805 407177
Letter from Whaddon United giving details of the Club's likely 16 man squad for the Senior Charity Cup Final

Referees Reports reported for discussion

Before considering the referee's reports that had been received during the course of March 2008, the committee was provided with a report detailing the number of Referee Report Cards that had been returned so far this season. This report indicated that approximately 66% of matches played with Official Referees had cards returned and that 16 of the League's referees had returned a card for every game at which they had officiated.

Winchcombe Town Reserves v Tivoli Rovers, Div 3, Sat 23/02/08: Referee S Bluck reports that this game was played on an excellent playing service but that it was rather spoilt by the wind. He also reports that Tivoli were not happy with the winning goal 5 minutes before the end, as was shown by the fact that one of the Tivoli players kicked the door to the referee's dressing room open whilst he was in it.
Gala Wilton Reserves v AC Olympia, Div 2, Sat 01/03/08: Referee A Hann reports that he would award both teams 10 out of 10 for sportsmanship and that this was a great game to referee and to be a part of
Kings v Prestbury Rovers, Div 1, 08/03/2008: Referee N Newport-Black reports that he dismissed the Kings goalkeeper for Offensive, Insulting and Abusive Language and for assault on a match official

It was noted that it was excellent news that a referee had felt moved to report how much he had enjoyed refereeing a game and this was backed up by Mr Ben Hill, who had watched the game between Gala Wilton and AC Olympia and commented on the marvellous spirit in which the match was played.
However, the meeting also noted, with some regret, the other two reports that were highlighted and requested that the General Secretary write to Tivoli Rovers to request the club's comments on the incident in which the referee's door was kicked open after the game. In respect of the other report highlighted, the meeting was informed that the matter was currently subject to the disciplinary procedures of the GFA. It was also noted that the FA's "Respect" agenda was being implemented in the Cheltenham Junior League and all officers were asked to look out for the results that would be reported by this league in due course.

Referees Reports Notified but not discussed

Siddington v Endsleigh, Div 1, Sat 23/02/08: Referee W Gibbard reports that the pitch markings were very faint and that this fact was pointed out to the home team's management
Cheltenham Civil Service III v Gala Wilton III, Div 4, Sat 23/02/08: Referee I Parsons reports that Gala Wilton started the game with 10 players and then had 11 once an extra player arrived but that at no time were the club able to provide a linesman
Churchdown Panthers v Charlton Kings, Div 4, Sat 23/02/08: Referee M Jagus reports that Charlton Kings only had 9 players and that they did not provide a linesman
Andoversford Nomads v Endsleigh, Div 1, 08/03/2008: Referee M Ball reports that this was a very poor game spoilt by both teams having no respect for each other which in turn resulted in very little quality football being played.
Bishop's Cleeve IV v Tewkesbury Town, Div 3, 08/03/2008: Referee E Baker reports that Tewkesbury Town whinged throughout the match at themselves, their opponents and the referee.
Churchdown Panthers v Elmbridge Old Boys, Div 4, 08/03/2008: Referee W Gibbard reports that Churchdown Panthers had two players wearing the wrong shirt numbers
Tivoli Rovers v St Marks Community Association, Div 3, 15/03/2008: Referee I Parsons reports that St Marks did not provide a linesman

Rule Offences:

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 5h: Failure to satisfactorily attend to the business of the League.
i) Failure to respond to Correspondence from the League. Fine £15: Northleach Town
ii) Failure to provide playing details of matches undertaken in a League that is senior to the Cheltenham League. Fine £30: Gala Wilton
iii) Failure to contact Results Secretary with match result (second report) - Fine £20: 15/03/2008 - Div 2 Charlton Rovers (previously fined £15);
iv) Failure to contact Results Secretary with match result (third report) - Fine £25 : 15/03/2008 - Div 2 Charlton Rovers (previously fined £20);
v) Failure to contact Results Secretary with match result (fourth report) - Fine £30: 08/03/2008 - Div 3 St Marks Community Association (previously fined £25); 15/03/2008 - Div 3 Tewkesbury Town (previously fined £25);

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

Invoices due 17/03/2008: St Marks Community Association (invoice 29, £10, paid 21/03/2008).

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 8Q - playing an ineligible player - Fined £20, points gained deducted, match ordered to be replayed & 4 points deducted: 15/03/2008 - Div 4 Gala Wilton

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

i) Late Kick-offs (away team). 23/02/2008 - Div 1 Northway (25 minutes late - fine £8), Div 4 Cheltenham Saracens (8 minutes late - fine £5)

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 10e - playing with less than 11 players: 23/02/2008 - Div 4 Charlton Kings (9 players - fine £6); 15/03/2008 - Div 4 Cheltenham Saracens (10 players - fine £3)

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 11a - failure to complete Result cards correctly. Fine £5 for each offence
No Score: 23/02/2008 - Div 4 Finlay Rovers
No Sportsmanship Marks: 08/03/2008 - Div 5 Sherborne Harriers
Sportsmanship marks awarded out of 10: 23/02/2008 - Div 1 Siddington, Div 4 Elmbridge Old Boys; 08/03/2008 - Div 3 St Marks Community Association, Div 4 - Elmbridge Old Boys;
Referee's marks awarded out of 10: 23/02/2008 - Div 1 Siddington
No Referee Named: 15/03/2008 - Div 4 Tewkesbury Rovers (stated no referee when R.Price)
Incorrect Referee Name: 21/02/2008 - Senior Charity Cup - Whaddon United (stated A Johnson when A Richards); 08/03/2008 - Div 3 Charlton Rovers (stated G McNamara when M Kimber);
Incorrect Score: 23/02/3008 - Div 3 Tivoli Rovers (stated 2-1 to Tivoli Rovers when score was 1-0 to Winchcombe; 08/03/2008 - Div 4 Tewkesbury Rovers (stated 8-0 when 7-0)

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 11(b) - Notification of results to the Results Secretary:
Fine £5 (first offence): 01/03/2008 - Div 2 Whaddon United (wrong result - stated 5-0 when 5-1).

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 11c - failure to submit a result card to the registration secretary within 5 days of a match. Fine £10: 23/02/2008 -Div 4 Gaffers, Div 5 Gaffers; 01/03/2008 -Div 4 Gaffers, Div 5 Gaffers;
The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 11(f) - Failure to provide a correctly completed teamsheet. Fine £10: 08/03/2008 - Div 4 Churchdown Panthers (2 players with incorrect number ); 15/03/2008 - Div 4 Gala Wilton (one player named incorrectly and three players not given numbers);

The following clubs have been fined in accordance with rule 13c - Failure to provide a linesman for the whole match. Fine £5: 23/02/2008 - Div 4 Charlton Kings, Gala Wilton; 15/03/2008 - Div 3 St Marks Community Association

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

i) Failure to submit Referee's Card within 5 days of the match. Fine £10: 23/02/2008 - Div 1 Kings, Woodmancote; 01/03/2008 - Div 3 Bishop's Cleeve; 08/03/2008 - Div 3 Bishop's Cleeve, Falcons
ii) Failure to submit Referee's Card within 10 days of the match. Fine £10 & club Suspended: 23/02/2008 - Div 1 Kings (suspension now lifted); 01/03/2008 - Bishop's Cleeve (suspension now lifted); 08/03/2008 - Div 3 Falcons.
iii) Failure to submit Teamsheets within 5 days of the match. Fine £5 for each missing teamsheet: 23/02/2008 - Div 1 Kings (both sheets missing), Woodmancote(both sheets missing),; 01/03/2008 - Div 3 Bishop's Cleeve(both sheets missing),; 08/03/2008 - Div 3 Bishop's Cleeve (both sheets missing),, Falcons (both sheets missing),
Fixtures

Mr John Hunt, the League's Assistant Secretary, informed the meeting that all fixtures were now arranged up to the end of the season, with the exception of the match in Division Four between Gala Wilton and Gaffers that the meeting had ordered to be replayed. He further informed the committee that there were games on virtually every Tuesday and Thursday throughout April but that, at the moment, no single evening had more than ten fixtures and that, so long as there was no drastic intervention by the weather, the season would comfortably be finished on time. He concluded by emphasising the fact that the League was still awaiting a date from Bishops Cleeve FC for the Junior Charity Cup Final before it could finalise details for the Minor Charity Cup Final

Registrations

Mr Phil Tustain, the League's registration Secretary, reported to the meeting that he had received a League Registration form from St Marks for Lee Griffiths some 3 weeks after the deadline date and that Lee Griffiths had played for St Marks on Saturday, 22nd March. It was confirmed that Lee Griffiths was ineligible to play for St Marks in the club's game on this date, and that, as the match had resulted in a 3-2 win over FC Electrics, the game would be ordered to be replayed. It was agreed that St Marks would be charged with an offence, under the provisions of League Rule 8(q), at the Management Committee meeting to be held at the end of April.

Rule Revisions

The final draft of the proposed revisions to League Rules for season 2008-09 had been circulated in advance and, following consideration, this was ratified unanimously. The General Secretary was instructed, therefore, to forward the document to the GFA for the due consideration of the County FA's Rules Revision & League Sanction Committee.

Any Other Business:

The meeting was informed that the following 14 applications for Cup Final tickets had been received by the deadline of March 1st

Mike Lytheer
John Hunt
Alan Clayton
Charlton Kings FC
St Marks Community Association FC
Elmbridge Old Boys FC
Winchcombe Town FC
AC Olympia FC
Smiths Athletic FC
Phoenix United FC
Southside FC
Tewkesbury Dynamos FC
Star FC
Dowty Dynamos FC

Mr Les Fisher advised that all League Officers who intended to make a claim for expenses for the season, should do so by mid April at the latest.

Mr John Crowther informed the meeting that the proposed new playing fields in Cold Pool Lane had been sanctioned by Tewkesbury Borough Council but that the Cheltenham Sports Council had raised a number of concerns with regards to the details of the plans and that a response to these points that had been raised was expected by Monday, March 31st, 2008

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 8.44 pm

NEXT MEETING - WEDNESDAY 23rd April, 2008