THE CHERRY RED
MIDDLESEX COUNTY
FOOTBALL LEAGUE
FOUNDED 1984
Sanctioned By The Football Association
Meeting of the League Management Committee
Held at Brook House FC, Farm Park, Kingshill Avenue, Hayes, Middlesex
On Monday 5th October 2009, commencing at 7.40 pm
Present: F James (Chairman), S Hosmer (General Secretary), J Hosmer (Treasurer), H Wooster (Vice Chairman & Competitions Secretary), R Langley (Fixtures Secretary), J Noblemunn (Referees Liaison Officer), N Hickes (Minutes Secretary), S Aldridge (Fines Secretary), K Aldridge (Cup Finals Secretary and Discipline Committee), G Humphries (Match Inspections and Discipline Committee), D Fuller (Match Inspections), D John and D Theobold (Committee Members).
1. Apologies for absence
1.1. Apologies for absence were sent by P Kingham (Referees Secretary), D Swan (Assistant General Secretary), K Offord (Fines Secretary), W McMahon (Registrations Secretary), V Gilbert (Results Secretary), V Leggatt (Discipline Chairman), E Mee (Discipline Secretary), J Bauer (Committee Member), D Ramsey and E Forde (Joint League Representative Team Managers).
2. Minutes of the previous meeting (3rd August 2008)
2.1. The Chairman noted that the previous Committee Meeting had been an informal one, and as such, no decisions were made and no minutes recorded.
3. Matters arising from the previous meeting (3rd August 2008)
3.1. As there were no minutes taken at the previous Committee Meeting, there were no actions arising.
4. Chairman's Report
4.1. The Chairman concluded that the League has enjoyed one if it’s best starts for several seasons. He observed that with the exception of the Premier Division, clubs in all other divisions had commenced the season with relatively few issues. Where there have been some problems, these are all being dealt with by the Middlesex County FA or the League’s Disciplinary Committee.
4.1.1. Mr James expressed his concern at the number of issues concerning Premier Division clubs. He stated that clubs – in particular clubs who are new to the top flight – are not complying with the requirements of intermediate club status and membership of the Premier Division,
· Programmes are not carrying required material from the League’s sponsors
· Match pitches are not full size, and are not roped off
· Clubs are not offering the expected hospitality and refreshments
4.1.2. The Chairman stressed that these issues must be addressed by non-compliant clubs if they wish to continue the season in the Premier Division.
4.2. The Chairman noted that League Officers are operating well as a team. A number of members of the Management Committee will be on vacation during the remainder of October 2009, including the General Secretary and Treasurer. The Chairman asked that no emails are sent to the General Secretary during the period of his vacation.
5. General Secretary's Report
5.1. The General Secretary reported that two Premier Division clubs are using a home pitch which fails to comply with the requirements of the Premier Division,
5.1.1. Mr Hosmer advised that Singh Sabha Slough FC and North Kensington FC share a pitch at Broadfields County Club. Following various complaints from opponents and match officials, Messrs Hosmer and Fuller visited the ground on 28th September 2009, and confirmed that their pitch is too small by length and width, and is not acceptable for Premier Division football.
5.1.2. Despite being advised of this, on Saturday 3rd October 2009, Singh Sabha Slough FC attempted to stage their Premier Division fixture on the outlawed pitch, resulting in the game being called off.
5.1.3. The General Secretary has been in contact with Mr C Webster of Broadfields Country Club, and to date only North Kensington FC are in dialogue about securing a suitable alternative pitch. Singh Sabha Slough FC have not contacted the ground at all, so as far as Broadfields Country Club are concerned, the pitch that Singh Sabha Slough FC are not allowed to use is available for hire.
5.2. The General Secretary reported that there have been problems at two games involving the conduct of My Generation FC. The second incident occurred on 26th September 2009, and warranted the withdrawal of certain player registrations, which was duly invoked under the terms of the “Respect Campaign”.
5.2.1. Mr Hosmer then received a email from the Chief Executive of the Middlesex County FA, advising that the “Respect Campaign” does not legislate for such action.
5.2.2. The League therefore attempted to withdraw player registrations under League Rule 17. The Football Association then advised that despite previously sanctioning this rule, it was not enforceable. The FA also instructed the League to remove the relevant section from Rule 17.
5.2.3. The General Secretary noted that the management of My Generation FC had been appalled by the actions of their miscreant players, and were satisfied when informed that the relevant player registrations would be withdrawn. Upon discovering that the League could not take this action, the club decided to withdraw from the League, effectively penalising all of their players, rather than the four who caused the problems.
5.2.4. The Chairman noted that there is still an ongoing dialogue with The FA concerning the implications of deleting key aspects of League Rule 17.
5.2.5. The Chairman recalled that meeting that he attended at The FA in 2008, when he predicted that violence in grass roots football would result in a tragedy. He noted that this prediction came to pass just weeks later in Middlesex, and that since then, instances of violence have continued to rise. Mr James expressed the view that the limited legislation proposed by The FA will only compound the problem by preventing Leagues from expelling troublemakers.
5.3. The General Secretary expressed his concern at having no tangible information on the “Respect Campaign” other than the information published on The FA’s web site. He expressed the view that most clubs are in the same situation.
5.3.1. Mr Hosmer advised that while attempting to deal with players of My Generation FC, he had discovered that Mr O’Conner of the Middlesex County FA now has the various items of paperwork that the clubs should have been given at the League’s 2009 AGM, and was then promised to them for the September 2009 Council Meeting. Mr O’Connor has suggested that he addresses the League’s clubs at the Council Meeting in December 2009.
5.3.2. The Chairman expressed the view that any attempt to launch the “Respect Campaign” should be realistically targeted for the 2010/11 season, regardless of when Mr O’Connor presents information to the League’s clubs. This sentiment was endorsed by the Committee.
5.4. The General Secretary reported that Vallance FC are being moved by their borough council from their current pitch at Meath Gardens Playing Fields to a purpose-built facility. He noted that the only drawback to the new facility is that it is extremely close to West Ham United FC, which will present travel issues on first team match days.
6. Treasurer’s Report
6.1. The Treasurer reported that the League has received its grant from The FA for 2009/10.
6.2. The Treasurer reported that the League has £27,683.80 in its three bank accounts:
· Current account: £3,038.66
· High Interest Account 1: £22,029.13
· High Interest Account 2: £2,616.01
7. Discipline Secretary's Report
7.1. The General Secretary reported that Hilltop FC have protested against a fine issued to them. He will pass the matter to the Discipline Chairman upon his return from vacation.
7.2. The Chairman stated that no disciplinary matters will be dealt with whilst the Discipline Chairman is on vacation and the Discipline Secretary is unwell.
7.3. The General Secretary reported that Singh Sabha Slough FC have been instructed to appear before the Discipline Committee immediately after the Committee Meeting, concerning the club’s start to the season. He commented that the club has incurred £330 of fines in less than a month, and their management team appears to have no concept at all of what is required of them, and seem to be operating as a poorly-run junior club.
8. Fixture Secretary's Report
8.1. The Fixture Secretary expressed his disappointment that a Middlesex County FA Cup fixture has been postponed, having a ripple-effect on league fixtures. More fixtures will be published following completion of Middlesex County FA Cup ties scheduled for Saturday 10th October 2009.
8.2. The Fixture Secretary expressed his disappointment at the poor organisation at several borough councils. The Chairman concurred, giving several examples of this.
8.3. The Chairman commended the Fixture Secretary for his efforts this season, in such adversity. This was endorsed by the Committee.
9. Registrations Secretary's Report
9.1. The General Secretary reported that there have been an unprecedented number of issues with registrations to date:
· Players either playing without ID cards
· Players either playing with ID cards they should not have
· Players attempting to play while suspended
9.1.1. The General Secretary reported that these issues have now caused difficulties when clubs are attempting to fill out match reports, with clubs proving to the League that they are in possession of player ID cards that the League appears to have no record of having issued.
9.1.2. Mr and Mrs Hosmer will be visiting the Registration Secretary on 10th October 2009, and hope to address and resolve the various problems which are being experienced at present.
10. Referees Secretary's report
10.1. The General Secretary reported that the Referees Secretary is on vacation.
10.2. The Referees Secretary has informed the General Secretary of a complaint from a club that on Saturday 3rd October 2009 a referee and his assistant left immediately after the game and did not accept the club’s hospitality. The Referees Liaison Officer was asked to investigate the matter and contact the match officials concerned.
10.3. Mr Fuller expressed his concern at the poor playing surfaces being used for some Premier Division matches. He added that pitches are not being roped off, have no technical areas and sometimes no seating for substitutes, and poor hospitality.
10.3.1. The Referees Liaison Officer expressed his concern that the League’s match officials appear to be unfamiliar with requirements for Premier Division matches. He recommended that the panel of officials is sent a reminder of the criteria to be expected.
11. Competition Directors report
11.1. The Competition Director reported that the Middlesex County FA’s Cup competitions are underway, and confirmed that the Leagues domestic cup competitions are also progressing well.
11.2. The Chairman asked Mr Aldridge if he would assume responsibility as League Officer in Charge of MCFL Cup Finals. This role would be as event manager at each Final Tie, organising the Committee Members present at each game, and would have no responsibility for scheduling the matches or contacting the host club in advance. Mr Aldridge indicated that he would accept the role. This was endorsed by the Committee.
12. Results Secretary’s report
12.1. The General Secretary reported that there has been a rise in instances of clubs failing to comply with the League’s requirements for telephoning in results with messages left in the format:
· League Division/Cup Competition
· Home team name
· Home team score
· Away team name
· Away team score
The General Secretary noted that leaving further information simply takes up time when other clubs are trying to get through and leave their own results. The General Secretary will remind clubs of this at the next League Council Meeting.
12.2. The general Secretary noted that for Saturday 3rd October 2009, there was three late results and three no results – more instances than the League has ever had for a single match day.
13. Any Other Business
13.1. Mrs Hosmer noted that the League will soon celebrate its 25th Anniversary. She undertook to investigate options for celebrating this milestone.
14. Vote of thanks to the Chairman
14.1. There being no other business, the meeting closed at 8.25 p.m. with a vote of thanks to the Chairman.
Chairman (date)