HALF YEARLY MEETING OF CLUBS
Greene King Essex Veterans Football League
The Chairman opened the meeting and welcomed Alec Berry, ECFA Chairman and Colin Moorcroft ECFA Veterans Representative. The Chairman said words of tribute to Terry Murray of Port of London Authority who passed away on 30th December 2012. A period of silence was observed in his memory.
1 Officers Reports
a) Secretary- A little disappointed having asked Clubs to complete things on time at AGM that so many fines have had to be issued which creates extra work.
Hospitality, we have had several complaints of teams not going back after games and food going to waste. If you do not attend to accept hospitality please inform opponents
Postponements. Clubs are reminded they must ring Referee Appointment Secretary. He will then advise remaining Committee Officers via email. There was one week I was away hence Fixture Secretary covered. This will be repeated on one weekend later in the season which will be advised by email.
Clubs reminded to check www.essex-veterans-league.co.uk for telephone numbers before ringing Committee Member.
b) Treasurer – Report Attached. Treasurer asked for suggestions how we return some of this money to clubs. Annual Subscription not anticipated to rise next season.
c) Fixtures – Things were going well up to beginning of December until the weather changed. Cup competitions will be a priority and we will be struggling to run the Over 45’s Cup this year due to pitch availability. Adam Gordon is now assisting with Division Four fixtures so any queries concerning these Divisions should be directed to Adam.
d) Referees – All games have had Referees appointed thanks to help from other Leagues. We will attempt to appoint Assistant Referee’s to the Cup Semi Finals but I do not expect to cover as many of these as in previous seasons. Where Assistants are appointed Home Team to pay both Assistants £20 each, which League will then refund. Referee fee split between the teams. Question raised suggesting sponsoring young Referees. Clubs advised we have applied to become a FA National Referee Development Partner League which would give us a supply of new Referees. We are waiting to hear about our application.
e) Registrations - Clubs M-Z advised Registration Secretary will be away for short period so any Registrations on 12th January should be sent to A-L Registration Secretary.
f) Discipline – Very little to report as general standard of behaviour is very good. Please maintain these standards
2 Personal Accident Insurance Requirement 2013/14 – Clubs reminded they will have to have Personal Accident Insurance to register for next season. League do not recommend any scheme but advised Clubs FA have arranged scheme via Bluefin Insurance which meets requirements. Input give by ECFA Chairman including the ECFA will contribute £15 towards costs. Exact application procedure details still to be advised. Clubs were advised they will not be able to affiliate without this cover and late affiliation will incur a fine.
3 Rule Changes 2013/14 – Committee will be proposing to increase some of the fines as current levels clearly aren’t having desired effect. If anyone else has any suggestions that might improve the League I need to be notified by 1st February 2013.
4 Respect Campaign. As discussed earlier League has applied to be National Referee Development League. We have to be a Respect League to do this. Clubs voted to sign up as Respect League if application accepted by Football Association. Clubs recommended to think about who their captains as Referees will be encouraged to use them to help with match control.
5 Over 45’s Division 2013/14 – We will be running an Over 45’s Division next season. Entries to be sent to League Secretary by 31st March 2013 and provisional resignation from main Divisions if Clubs are reducing the number of teams in the main competition. Suggestion made that league could assist with costs of midweek pitch hire to get competition played this season. Matter will be discussed by Committee.
6 20th Anniversary Dinner – This will take place at Ivy Hill Hotel in Margaretting on Friday 14th June 2013 commencing at 7.30pm for 8pm. This will be a three course meal with reception drink. It will include presentation of the Trophies and hopefully after dinner speaker. The room can hold between 160 and 250 people and people are encouraged to bring their partners. Special Room rates are available with details to follow. There was a discussion about dress code and clubs indicated they would like jacket and tie. (Since the meeting the Committee have confirmed the price will be £25 per ticket)
7 League Cup Semi-Final Draws
Division Four
Fulbrook Royals v Old Chelmsfordians Reserves
West Essex Reserves or Runwell Hospital v Hutton Old Boys Reserves
Division Three
Heath Park v Debden Sports or Runwell Town
Silver End United v Writtle
Division Two
Sporting Club Woodham or West Essex or Pavilion v Dunmow Rhodes or Leigh Ramblers or Maidonians.
Hawkwell Athletic or Cricketers Horndon Saxons v FOBS (East Hanningfield) or Hale End Athletic or Tillingham Hotspur
Division One
Britannia or Herongate Athletic v Chipping Ongar
Old Parmiterians v Old Chelmsfordians
Premier Division
Met Police Chigwell v Springfield or Port of London Authority
Little Thurrock Dynamos v Hutton Old Boys
Clubs reminded players must have played three Essex Veterans League Competition games to be eligible. Question raised about teams who have played very few games. Matter to be discussed by Committee. Cup Finals to be held at Billericay Town FC.
8 Any Other Business
i) Under Age players – Discussion on how we tackle under age players. Suggestions were made about various ID schemes or whether penalties are greatly increased. Committee will look into various suggestions and report back to Clubs.
Meeting closed 8.50 pm.
Management Committee Meeting 10th January 2013:
Under Age Players
We have taken on board the different suggestions and we are investigating different options for going forward. These will be discussed in more detail at the next Management Committee Meeting and we will come back to you. The bottom line though is it is Clubs responsibility to ensure all players are 35 or over. We will NOT accept “we didn’t know” as an excuse. Clubs must carry out the appropriate checks.
On the subject of Under Age players we have caught a player called Danny Oughton who has played whilst under age. We have cancelled his Registration for this season, which is the maximum we are allowed to apply by the ECFA. He has also been fined a total of £150, which until this is played he cannot play in the League again. If the fines aren’t paid we will also apply to the ECFA to have him banned from All Football until the money is recovered.
Please note if a player called Danny Oughton attempts to sign for your Club please check with your Registration Secretary BEFORE he plays. There are two players we know of with this name, one of them has been playing in the League whilst under age. This player is currently not permitted to play for any team in the League. This email is notice of this issue so if you play him without permission you can expect to be fined and have any points won deducted. Please also note the Chipping Ongar Danny Oughton is eligible to play as this is a different person.
Registrations
Clubs M-Z who sign any players on Saturday 12th January 2013 must forward Registration forms to Andy Piercy rather than Geoff Harwood. Geoff will be back for games played on Saturday 19th January.
20th Anniversary Dinner
To confirm this will take place at the Ivy Hill Hotel, Margaretting on Friday 14th June 2013 7.30pm for 8pm start. Preferred Dress Code is Jacket and Tie. Tickets will be £25 per person for three course meal, reception drink and we hope to have an after dinner speaker. League Trophy Presentations will take place at the Dinner rather than the AGM. Further details will be circulated shortly or please contact Francis Mariani on fpmariani@hotmail.com
Over 45’s 2013/14
We will be running an Over 45’s Division in season 2013/14. Clubs wishing to take part must apply to the League Secretary by 31st March 2013. In your application please include whether you wish to resign a team from the main competition in order to play Over 45’s.
Breaches
Rule 11(A) Failure to complete Results Sheet Shenfield, Ryan, Runwell Hospital, Rosebay, Peverel, Ludlows and Leigh Town all fined
Rule 10 (F) Cricketers Horndon Saxons Res Failure to fulfil fixture v Little Thurrock Dynamos A 17/11/12 Cricketers Horndon fined and points to Little Thurrock Dynamos A
Rule 8(O)(i) Academy Soccer Playing an ineligible player v Old Chelmsfordians Res. Points to Old Chelmsfordians
Rule 10(F) Sungate Failure to fulfil fixture away v Shenfield 8/12/12. Sungate fined and points to Shenfield
Rule 8 (G) & 8(O)(iii) Rosebay Playing an ineligible player v Beacon Hill Rovers. Rosebay fined and Points to Beacon Hill Rovers. Rosebay to submit proof of date of birth for all players
Rule 8(G)(ii) Danny Oughton Signing for more than one club in a season. Player fined
Rule 8(G)(iii) Danny Oughton Wilfully neglected to complete registration form accurately season 2012/13. Player fined and Registration cancelled for season 2012/13
Rule 8(G)(iii) Danny Oughton Wilfully neglected to complete registration form accurately season 2011/12 Date of birth incorrect player under age Player fined
Rule 8(G)(iii) Danny Oughton Wilfully neglected to complete registration form accurately season 2010/11 Date of birth incorrect player under age Player fined
Rule 8(G)(iii) Danny Oughton Wilfully neglected to complete registration form accurately season 2009/10 Date of birth incorrect player under age Player fined
Rule 5(I) Henderson Casuals, Sungate and White Ensign fined for failing to pay fines.
Rule 10(F) Hullbridge Sports Failure to fulfil fixture away v Hockley & Hawkwell Athletic 5/1/13. Hullbridge Sports fined and points to Hockley & Hawkwell
Rule 10(F) Sanders Failure to fulfil fixture away v Heath Park 5/1/13. Sanders fined and points to Heath Park
Rule 19 Failure to attend Half Yearly Meeting Bowers &Pitsea (Vichouse), Herongate Athletic, Paringdon and Sanders fined
Rule 5(I) Danny Oughton fined for failing to pay fines To be held at Essex County Cricket Club, The Ford County Ground New Writtle Street, Chelmsford, Essex CM2 0PG on Thursday 10th January 2013, 7.30pm