Cheltenham League Notice Board

• 31/03/2005 - March Newsletter

It is the purpose of this Newsletter to communicate items of interest to Clubs and, in particular, their Secretaries, that were not necessarily discussed at the monthly Management Committee meetings. If anyone has anything that they would like to include on this newsletter, which will be circulated to all clubs and which will also be posted on the Leagues Web site, they are advised to contact the League's General Secretary by the Monday that immediately precedes the monthly Management Committee meeting, at the latest

1) Evening Kick Offs

The time of year for late season evening matches is, once again, almost upon us and all clubs are referred to the final paragraph of league rule 10(b), which can be found on Page 25 of the Handbook, for guidance with regard to kick off times. In essence, all games in April should kick off not later than 6.15 pm except for those which are scheduled to be played during the week commencing Monday, April 25th, when kick off time should be no later than 6.30 pm.

In addition, the League would seek to draw the attention of all clubs to the wording of the penultimate paragraph on page 24 of the handbook, again within rule 10(b), which deals with the duration of matches. Please note that, if a game is to last less than 90 minutes, this must be agreed before the start by both captains in conjunction with the referee and that the game must consist of two equal halves. In accordance with the stipulations of rule 10(b), the shortest time that can be set for a match is 60 minutes - ie 30 minutes each way.

2. Under Age Football

The League has received a letter from the GFA in which it has been asked to point out existing and future rules governing the participation of children in all forms of football. The letter stipulates that Children in the age brackets under 7 to under 14 must not play and shall not be permitted, or encouraged, to play in a match where any other player is older or younger by 2 years or more than that person. This stipulation will include children in the Under 15 age bracket from season 2006-07

Also, it is detailed that, from season 2006-07, to play in an Under 18 age bracket competition, the player must have achieved the age of 15 on or before 31st August of the playing season concerned.
Finally, it is stipulated that, to play in an open age competition, a player must have achieved the age of 16. This will come into effect from the beginning of the 2007-2008 season.

Any club which is in receipt of this newsletter and which has not returned the League Entry and Declaration forms to the League will now be fined £25, in accordance with League Rule 14(a). All clubs that have not returned the two forms by the due date of March 31st will have 7 further days to send the forms to the League's General Secretary. Any club that has still not returned the forms by April 7th will be charged with failing to satisfactorily attend to the business of the League, as stipulated by League Rule 5(h). Any fine imposed in accordance with this rule will be in addition to the original £25 and will be set at an amount that is at the discretion of the League Management Committee

Those clubs that have returned the forms will receive their Supplementary Information forms in the near future

4 Cheltenham Borough Council Pitches

The League has received notification, from Cheltenham Borough Council, that the football pitches at Swindon Village Playing Fields, Naunton Park Rec and The Burrows will be taken down following the games of the weekend of 16th & 17th April. Fortunately for the teams who usually play at these venues, disruption will be minimal but any clubs who believe that they will be adversely effected should contact the League's Assistant Secretary, John Hunt, as soon as possible.
For information, the League is currently pursuing an improved working relationship with Cheltenham Borough Council that will, hopefully, mean that there should be fewer problems in the future for those clubs who utilise the Council's facilities

5 Handbook Changes

Star FC - New Address for Secretary, Nicola Draper. This is 74 Alstone Lane, Cheltenham, Glos, GL51 8HJ. Telephone details remain the same.
Phoenix United - New alternative contact. This is Jamie Knight and his mobile phone number is 07921 909583
Naunton Park - change of mobile phone number for Secretary Dan Midwinter. The new number is 07917 333846
Bourton Rovers - new email address for Secretary Joanna Herbert. The new details are joherbert@fsmail.net

6 County Cup Finals

The Cheltenham League has enjoyed an exceptional year in the County Cup competitions and six of its sides are to be congratulated for winning through to the finals. In the Junior Cup, Gala Wilton will play Longlevens Reserves at Tuffley Rovers on April 26th, in the Intermediate Cup Moreton Rangers and St Marks II will play on a date and at a venue yet to be decided whilst there is another all Cheltenham League clash in the Minor Cup Final, which will see Hi Tec Rangers take on Woodmancote at Slimbridge on April 7th. Finally, AC Olympia meet Worral Hill in the Primary Cup at Harrow Hill on April 14th

Well done and good luck to all our finalists!!

Thanks,

Nick Oram
General Secretary,
Cheltenham Association Football League