Cheltenham League Notice Board

  • 05/10/2007 - September Newsletter

1. Metal Cup Hooks

As you will hopefully be aware, the use of metal cup hooks as net fixings was banned from the commencement of this season by The FA, in view of the number of serious injuries that were being reported over the past few years. Two years notice of this instruction was given in 2005.
Even so, the FA has become aware of some grounds - at various levels of the game - where metal cup hooks are still being used as net fixings. This practice must stop and match officials have been advised that matches should be postponed where such fixings are evident on any part of the goal frame. Pictures showing those fixings which will be acceptable, i.e. plastic arrow heads which can be screwed in, plastic clip net fasteners and new goals which have internal channels for plastic grippers, are available, on request, from the League Secretary or from Nick Baker, the County Development Officer at the GFA.
Funding for 50% of the cost of replacement goals is available via the Football Foundation. Eligibility criteria and further details can be obtained on their web site - www.footballfoundation.org.uk - or by contacting Nick Baker on 01454 615888.
If Clubs do not wish to purchase new goals because of cost, it is recommended they should consider grinding the hooks off and ensuring the equipment is then well rubbed down to ensure no sharp edges remain. Manufacturers offer various different net ties and fixings which can ensure the nets are securely affixed to the goal. A list of those who can supply such net fixings, is also available from the League Secretary and the County Development Officer on request.

2 Cheltenham League Charity Cup Competition

The first rounds of the Cheltenham League Senior & Junior Charity Cup competitions will be held on Saturday, October 13th, 2007 and all clubs will be provided with forms to be used when sending any donation they might have to Les Fisher, the competition Treasurer. These donations may take the form of a collection taken on the day of the game, either before, during or after the match, or might, possibly, even be made from club funds. It is also quite common for referees to give either part of or, in some instances, their full match fee back to the home club following Charity Cup matches, so that the home side might forward this on to Mr Fisher as well. The Charity Cup donation forms should be used in all such instances but clubs are asked to make sure that all donations are sent to Mr Fisher as cheques. Clubs are also asked to note that the League requests that Referees report the fact that they have made a donation to the competition on their Match Report Card, which is sent directly to the League Secretary. Unfortunately, at the end of last season, it came to the attention of the League that a number of clubs had failed to forward these donations on to the Competition Treasurer. Please note that, if the League becomes aware of any repeat of such circumstances again this season, the League will consider taking severe action against the clubs concerned. Last season, the League donated a total of nearly £3000 to its 4 preferred Charities, and these donations made a significant difference to each one of the worthy causes that received them. The League is committed to maximising the revenue that it is able to generate through its Charity Cup Competitions in order to ensure that the levels of support that have been possible over the last few years can be maintained. If at all possible, please ensure that your club plays its part this season.

3 Club's Meeting

Clubs are reminded that, because the Club's Meeting that was originally scheduled for September 26th was cancelled due to reasons beyond the League's control, the meeting has now been rescheduled for Wednesday, 31st October, 2007, starting at 7.15 pm in the Ballroom at the League's Headquarters, the Victory Club. Attendance at this meeting is not obligatory but clubs are advised to send a representative if at all possible, for a number of reasons. In the first instance, the meeting provides a forum at which issues can be discussed and possible resolutions to any problems can be identified. Secondly, it acts as an information exchange, at which both reports are made by the League's Officers and, also, help and guidance is offered with regard to matters concerning League affairs. Thirdly, the remainder of each club's allocation of Handbooks will be available for collection on the night.
All clubs are urged to attend if at all possible. Anyone who has anything that they would like to include on the agenda should send the details through to Nick Oram, the League Secretary, by Tuesday, 23rd October, at the latest

4 Reporting Results

Following consideration at the League Management Committee meeting that was held on Wednesday, 3rd October, 2007, it should be noted that it was agreed at this meeting that all clubs which fail to ring the result of a match through to the Results Secretary at all will be charged under League Rule 5(h) rather than League rule 11(b), which will now be reserved for the late reporting of a result. Already this season, the Results Secretary has been required to make his own enquiries to ascertain the result of a match on 13 different occasions, often involving several telephone calls to alternative contacts, opposition officials and even, sometimes, the match referee,. Any club that compels a League Official to undertake such an extra workload through its own negligence should not be surprised to find that it has left itself open to a charge of failing to satisfactorily attend to the business of the League, as defined within League Rule 5(h), and it should be noted that fines for charges that are proven under this rule are set at the discretion of the Management Committee.

5 Kick Off Times 13th October

With regard to the England v Estonia European Championship Qualifier, that is to be played on Saturday, 13th October with a 3.00 pm kick off , it has been agreed that, in keeping with established practice in instances such as these, it is to be permissible for matches to be rescheduled to an earlier kick off time so long as both teams involved in any given match, the appointed referee and the authorities responsible for the control of the ground where the match in question is to be played are all in agreement. Please also note that, if such agreement is reached, the League Assistant Secretary, Mr John Hunt, must be informed before the day of the fixture in order that he is able to sanction the rearranged kick off time

6 Club Details

Tivoli Rovers alternative contact has a new home telephone number. This is now 01452 883252.
Tewkesbury Rovers second choice kit is now Sky Blue shirts, Shorts and socks
Moreton Rangers' Secretary's home telephone number is printed incorrectly in the handbook. It should be 01608 650955 and not 01608 650995 as printed
Elmbridge Old Boys colours are as follows: First choice colours Red/black striped shirts, black shorts, black socks. Change colours Royal blue shirts, royal blue shorts and socks
Smiths Athletic's 2ndXI in Div 3 have changed the colour of their Change strip to:Yellow shirts, Blue shorts & Blue socks
Winchcombe Town have a new Secretary. He is Phil Comfort and he can be contacted on 01242 603106 (h) or 07798 631266 (m). Further details for Phil and for the new alternative contact for Winchcombe Town will be made available in due course. In the meantime, the email address for the club remains the same, i.e. wt_fc@hotmail.co.uk.


Thanks,
Nick Oram
General Secretary,
Cheltenham Association Football League

 


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