START OF SEASON UPDATE
In advance of the new season please see the information below.
League Contacts:
Below is a reminder of the different contacts for the League. Everyone is more than happy to answer questions but please can you help us by contacting the correct person.
Fixtures: evlfixtures@gmail.com
Referees: Sunday to Friday evlreferees@gmail.com
Saturday concerning that day’s games please ring 01268 944066
Registrations: essexvetsregs@gmail.com
Full Time: essexvets@gmail.com
Team Sheets evlteamsheets@gmail.com
Other matters: essexvets@gmail.com
Match Day Postponements:
If a game is postponed or abandoned for any reason on the day of the game the following action needs to be taken:
1) If postponed due to pitch please ring opponents to see if game can be moved to opponents ground. If it can ring Referee to check they can still cover the game. If they cannot please ring 01268 944066 to see if another Referee is available. If game switched email evlfixtures@gmail.com
If game off follow steps below:
2) Ring Referee phone number 01268 944066. This will divert to someone who will answer the phone or call you back.
2) email evlfixtures@gmail.com advising the reason for the postponement/abandonment
3) Ring Referee to advise game off.
Team Sheets
Information about team sheet procedures and proposed registration checks will be supplied shortly
Free Weeks/Fixture Cancellation Policy
i) Fixture Cancellation Policy-
i) Teams are allowed two “free” weeks, these must be requested by 6pm on the Sunday
before the fixture at the very latest.
ii) After 6pm on Sunday any instances of teams being unable to fulfil fixtures will be
awarded unless the Committee consider compassionate circumstances apply.
iii) Team calls off before Sunday 6pm and free weeks have been used, fixture will be
awarded
iv) Fines policy
- Fixture called off prior to 6pm Sunday and team are allowed free week £Nil
- Fixture called off prior to 6pm Sunday and team used free weeks up £10
- Fixture called off after 6pm Sunday up to Wednesday £10
- Fixture called off Thursday £20
- Fixture called off Friday £50
- Fixture called off Saturday before 11am £100 plus expenses
-Fixture called off after 11am on Saturday £150 plus expenses
v) Points Deduction Policy –
- First game awarded No points deduction
- Second game awarded No points deduction
- Third game awarded one point deducted
- Fourth game awarded two points deducted
- Fifth game awarded three points deducted and so on
vi) When requesting second free week it cannot be for same fixture that was postponed for first free week.
vii) No new fixtures will be scheduled after 6pm on Sunday night for the following
Saturday unless both teams agree
viii) The above policy is for League games only. Any cup game that has been published
on the League website that cannot be fulfilled will be awarded to the opponents. The
above Fine Policy will apply for Cup games.
You will notice we have increased the fines for calling off games due to lack of players on Friday night’s and also on Saturday morning’s. This is following feedback from Clubs on the unofficial “WhatsApp Friendlies Group”. It is to encourage teams to call games off earlier if they can’t field teams so opponents can make alternative arrangements.
Late Results Sheets Fine Policy
The fines policy for this season will be applied for each Team (Team not Club):
1) First offence - £10 fine
2) Second offence - £20 fine
3) Third offence - £30 fine
4) Fourth - £40 fine
5) Fifth offence and subsequent offences £50
In addition to this if the results sheet is not completed within seven days of the initial charge notice being sent out then a Charge under Rule 6(I) will be raised for failing to attend to League business and fixtures will be suspended until the Results Sheet is completed.
Again, the increase for fourth and fifth offences is to encourage people to complete results sheets on time. We want the information without chasing teams rather than your money.
If you have any issues completing results sheets or require instructions please email essexvets@gmail.com
Full Time Email Information
The primary contact information on Full Time changes without the League knowing. If the information for your team is incorrect please kindly email essexvets@gmail.com and we can correct it.
Player Registration Deadline
Again following feedback on the unofficial “WhatsApp Friendlies Group” we are going to try something slightly different this season
In the League rules the registration/transfer deadline is second Saturday in March, however wording allows Committee to effectively change this. The following will be trialled this season:
1) New registrations for players who haven’t played in League Competitions this season will be allowed up to and including Saturday 25th April 2026.
2) Transfers permitted up to Saturday 25th April 2026, but only for players who have not played in League Competitions this season. This covers players where Clubs used rolling consent and registered player but they have not played during this season and now want to play for someone else.
3) No player registering or transferring after 2nd Saturday in March can play in League Cup competitions or Play Off/Championship Final. If League Management Trophy runs, an individual decision will be made on eligibility.