Minutes Club Meeting 13.10.08

TANDRIDGE YOUTH FOOTBALL LEAGUE

MINUTES OF A LEAGUE CLUBS MEETING HELD ON MONDAY, 13^th OCTOBER 2008 AT H.S.B.C. SPORTS & SOCIAL CLUB, LENNARD ROAD, BECKENHAM, KENT.

Meeting commenced 8.38 pm. Request for Mobiles to be switched to silent or off.

1/ MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING: (08.09.2008)

Correction: due to printing error, the Minutes distributed for the September Meeting contained the wrong Treasurer’s Report. Unfortunately the Treasurer’s July Report was repeated in the September minutes – so apologies to those clubs erroneously mentioned in the September minutes.

Proposed: Old Coulsdon Colts Seconded: Doverhouse Lions

Subject to above: Minutes accepted as being an accurate reflection of the 8^th Sept 2008 meeting.

2/ CHAIRMAN: (Alan McIlvaney)

a) Apologies for absence – received from Alan Clarke, League President and from Derek Harris, League Secretary (who is abroad).

b) News from Waterloo FC of their former TYL player Aziz Deen Conteh who was selected for the England U16 squad v Wales on 3^rd October.

3/ TREASURER & FINES ADMINISTRATOR: (Steve Davis – Treasurer)

a) Thank you to the vast majority of clubs who paid their full subscriptions promptly.

b) Croydon Council Pitches. Invoices now issued to clubs who hire Croydon Council Pitches.

For season-long hires, payment may be made by two instalments. The first instalment is due to reach the Treasurer no later than 31^st October 08.

c) A couple of minor issues to be resolved please with (i) The Warren FC and (ii) Elite FC.

FINES ADMINSTRATOR: (Rocky Horton)

No report this month.

4/ SECRETARY: (Derek Harris)

No report this month.

5/ LEAGUE ADMINISTRATOR: (Mike Gobel)

a) Compliance forms. Thanks to all those who have completed the Compliance forms for all of their teams. (Rule 7.B requires these to be completed ‘prior to start of each season’.)

b) WARNING to all Clubs who still have not returned the signed Compliance forms for each of their teams. The final deadline for submission of the forms is 19^th October, after which date fixtures will not be offered to the outstanding teams. Games will be awarded. Those clubs concerned will be reminded by e-mail.

c) Correction to telephone number in Handbook. Sue Gill – Results Secretary for u7 to u10. The number shown on page 68 is now wrong. The correct number is shown on page 9 and is 01883 716121. Would Club Secretaries please inform their team Managers.

d) Next Round of League Cup. Draw made – paper copies available tonight and will be added to website shortly.

e) The F.A.Respect programme. The League Committee have discussed and considered this national initiative from the F.A. (The Presentation made to the September Clubs meeting refers). The Committee recommends to clubs that the League ‘signs up’ to the Respect Programme and will make a proposal later in this meeting.

6/ REGISTRATIONS: (John Plummer)

a) Now four weeks into the season and registrations have settled down and are ‘ticking over’ at all age groups.

b) We are aware of a few teams where ALL their ID cards became lost in the post – but corrective action has now been taken. Sadly this problem is now more common.

c) Concern was expressed about the large number of players taking part in games without having a registration number shown on the matchcard. If managers know that a player qualifies to play in a game, but does not yet have the ID card, the Registration Number should still be shown on the matchcard – and should be requested from the Registration Secretary if necessary. Please show a number on all occasions. (Players named on matchcard without either a ‘number’ or a ‘signature’ will result in a fine for the team concerned).

7/ FIXTURES: (Martin Oakey)

a) Notification of results. Following the introduction of the new website, we are seeking to encourage ALL teams to start reporting their ‘Home’ and ‘Away’ results by entering them directly onto the website. It is anticipated that reporting results onto the website will become the norm in future seasons and the committee therefore urge all team managers to start reporting their Home and Away results with immediate effect. Many managers are now doing this but many more still could.

b) Phoning in a result to the Results Secretary is still possible – but is no longer our preferred method of reporting.

c) Home Teams who use the website to report their result do NOT need to also phone in with their score.

d) Home teams who enter their result online (before the evening deadline) but who do not phone – will NOT receive a fine (in other words Rule 11.B will obviously not be applied against Home teams who use the website before the evening deadline).

e) County Cup fixtures and results. This is still a developing area on the new website. Currently not all Age Groups have the ability to enter County Cup games on the website. E.G. u12 & u13 should continue to phone their County Cup results (Home and Away) to their Fixture Secretary until further notice. If you cannot yet enter these results on line then please continue to phone in.

f) Advance notice of future full-sided fixtures. Whilst we would like to be able to publish many weeks’ fixtures well in advance – at this stage of the season it is often not possible to cast more than two weeks in advance. This is because of the four County Cup competitions (Surrey, London, Kent & Sussex) each with different playing days. Without being able to predict the outcome of dozens of cup ties, we can’t compile fixture lists beyond the next round. (The alternative would be constantly changing fixture lists with no certainty, making the lists largely worthless and with potential for much confusion).

g) TAN 5’s (unplayed game). To repeat previous requests – please keep these as clear and concise as possible – omit anything that does directly and briefly explain why the game did not take part.

h) Tan 9 (request for fixture break) – please do not waste your time (and ours) with submissions that only cover a few players leaving you with ample players to field a team. (The minimum number of players for a full sided game to proceed is 8). Remember that the Rule (10.A) requires a minimum of 21 days notice.

i) Handbooks – recommendation that managers take these to games so that they have phone numbers available to report problems and also to check Rules if necessary.

j) Request to be careful and not play players before they have been legally registered for the necessary six days.

k) Sunday 26^th October and Sunday 2^nd November. Martin Oakey not available to receive phone calls. Those Managers who would normally phone him to please ring Elise Payne instead.

l) A question from the floor asked if the deadline for reporting results on the website could be extended to (say) midnight on Sunday. In reply, Elise Payne pointed out that unless and until both clubs enter the result on line, the result is not automatically published (by the website) and most people expect and require to be able to view that days results on the Sunday evening. An early evening deadline is therefore essential.

MINORS FIXTURES: (Mike Gobel)

(i) Late joining team into the U10 West Division - Melwood - starting on 19^th October

(ii) U9 Central – drop outs have reduced the division to 8 teams. Considering restructuring

the fixtures – watch this space.

8/ REFEREES SECRETARY: (Alan Donovan)

“Thank you” to those teams and clubs which have helped me during the first part of the season - by giving me and our referees early notice of kick off times and venues.

We have not fined clubs yet whilst teams are getting used to new season and new website.

However, from this week we will start to fine clubs who either (i) do not give me Kick off time and venue details by Tuesday evening (preferably on the new website but by E mail if not) or (ii) who do not contact referees by Wednesday or as soon after the details are put on the web site if they are late going on.

If a referee has not been appointed please do not make your own arrangements without contacting me first. I do not want to continue looking for a referee only to be told by team when I ring that they have one already. I shall try and make appointments as early as possible with most being made by Wednesday at the latest. But there could still be some appointments having to be made on Saturday and occasionally, if a referee becomes free, I may still appoint on a Sunday morning.

A reminder to all clubs - that for under 16, 17 and 18 teams we aim to only use registered referees. If a team has a referee that they would like to use on occasions please make sure I have details of who it is and confirmation that he is a currently registered referee. I will then use them for some games and other panel referees for some; so team will need to check who the appointed referee is as usual.

I apologise to under 11 to under 15 teams who have asked for a referee and I have been unable to supply. This will vary from week to week. I also cannot guarantee that I will be able to contact you to tell you that I have not got a referee. I will keep you on the list and could appoint at any time up to kick off time so please inform me if you no longer need the referee. If an under 16, 17 and 18 game is cancelled at the last minute I will try and reappoint the referee to the closest game.

If there is specific reason for the request i.e. because the clubs have had a problem before I shall do the best to help so please make sure I know the reason for the request.

Could clubs that have 2 home games involving under 16, 17 and 18 teams, please try and play these games one after the other rather than at the same time. I can then appoint the same referee for both games rather than having to find 2 different referees.

I am concerned at some of the serious discipline problems that appear to have happened this season. With all the talk and publicity about Respect please remember that referees tolerance level will likely to be less than it may have been before, It is going to be more likely that teams will be reported if their managers, coaches or supporters are showing dissent to the referee and I will advise all referees that they should not accept abuse from anyone.

Please make Respect practical and about a change of behaviour - not just talk and barriers.

9/ MATCH CARD SECRETARIES: (Rose Davis & Heather Armstrong)

Rose has had at least 5 Matchcards which are being held hostage by the Post Office because of insufficient postage. That means five teams have (or will be) fined because their card never arrives. It could be that the card was posted in a ‘large envelope’ without a ‘large letter stamp’ or perhaps no stamp at all was used. Please take care to use correct postage.

10/ DISCIPLINE: (for Derek Harris)

No report – except to note that there have already been some serious disciplinary issues in various games this season. These will be reported at a future meeting in subsequent discipline lists. In the meantime all clubs are reminded of their obligations under the Leagues Codes of Conduct as per the annual Compliance document.

11/ LONDON F.A. (Sue Gill)

Advised that the London F.A. have previously been very tolerant towards London affiliated clubs who have not yet followed the full and correct requirements for a Club Welfare Officer. However, London F.A.’s patience is wearing out and Clubs are reminded that Club Welfare Officers MUST obtain an enhanced CRB check without any further delay.

12/ RESPECT PROGRAMME: (Alan McIlvaney)

The League Chairman reminded Clubs of the FA’s Respect Programme (described by the FA as a continuous programme, not a one off initiative) and explained why the committee is in favour of the League commiting itself to the Programme.

The details had been fully outlined at the September Clubs Meeting at which Clubs were given one months notice of the intention to ask Clubs to vote (for or against) a decision to embrace and adopt the Programme and to begin working towards the implementation of it’s proposals.

Biggin Hill FC asked about the barriers and was reminded about the FA’s funding scheme which offers a 50% discount on barriers ordered by December. NB. To obtain these discounted barriers (which were demonstrated at the September meeting) Clubs MUST apply through the Tandridge League since the discount is not available by going direct.

Valley Valiants FC asked about the position of Chartered Standard Clubs who will be expected to have adopted the Respect Programme when they reapply for Chartered status.

Another questioner asked whose job it would be to ‘police’ the programme. Sue Gill advised that the initial responsibility will rest with Clubs themselves using the Codes of Conduct within the Programme. It will not automatically be the responsibility of the referee to police the barriers although the usual sanctions would be available to a referee in the event of misconduct by anyone on the touchline.

South Bank FC commented on the problems sometimes encountered by club linesmen and assistant referees on the touchline and the ability of the Referee to act in their support when necessary.

Addiscombe Corinthians FC pointed out the problems at grounds which have very limited space for a designated spectator area.

On behalf of the Management Committee, the Chairman proposed that the League should ‘sign up’ and join the Respect Programme. This proposal was seconded by Doverhouse Lions FC and all clubs present were invited to vote by a show of hands.

The proposal was carried by an overwhelming vote in favour with just two clubs voting against and with none voting to abstain.

(Clubs wishing to read more about the Respect Programme can do so on the FA’s website – www.thefa.com)

13/ INTER LEAGUE: (Alan McIlvaney for Ian Radford) It is now Intended to operate a restricted Inter League programme with a series of friendly matches taking place between January and March 2009.

This is intended to be a ‘holding operation’ for this season with the intention of resuming a full Inter League Competition next season.

14/ CHILD WELFARE: (Elise Payne)

Club Welfare Officers should now have received password to County FA’s secure site to confirm all managers etc., CRB status. If you have not received this, please check direct with County as to why, it could be that this role has changed to another person and details have not been sent to county, or that your club welfare officer has not yet completed all the workshops and CRB check themselves.

County can remove your affiliation if this role is not fully completed.

We had a report from a referee that he approached a man at the game he was refereeing, as the man was videoing the game yet appeared to be unknown to either of the teams playing. When the referee asked who he was, the man left the venue. I have asked for a description of this man to circulate. Please be aware at all your games of who is there.

15/ WEBSITE: www.ourkidssports.com (Elise Payne)

The Website, is now over the initial stages of learning, it has been going for over a month, yet still on a daily basis managers are contacting Elise asking why the results are not on the website, only to find that either they have no access set by club secretary or they are at the old site.

Secretaries to please check that all your managers have their access now. Any problems please email Elise from the club secretary ONLY.

The whole site is designed to be secure so that unregistered users can only see fixtures and results but no contact details. If managers put email addresses and phone numbers on team profile page, it defeats the whole object of the ‘secure’ site.

Results should now be filed on line by both home and away managers, this gives you the ability to allocate points to your opponents’ players, supporters and match officials along with the referee.

If a game is not played, you can select that option, but STILL must send in Tan 5 as normal, which can be downloaded from Forms & Documents.

If a manager does not have internet access then please pass this role to a Results Secretary who needs to be added to your Club committee to be able to access all teams. Phone calls to fixture secretaries should now be to the minimum.

Kick off times and venues should be set as a matter of course on a Tuesday evening, there is no reason for this not to happen by then as you have to have told your opponents, so tell the site…;

This in turn will make it easier for the Refereeing department to appoint your referee if applicable.

Check site on a regular basis to see the referee appointed. If kickoff time or venue changes, please send Alan Donovan an email with new details and amend the site.

16/ ROLL CALL OF CLUBS

ABSENT: Addington Palace, Barnett Wood, Chipstead (Kent), Coulsdon Athletic, Elite,

Furngate, Junior Sports, Monotype, Peckham Town, Ridgeway, Shelton Athletic, Spitfire

Colts, Tatsfield Colts, Tooting & Mitcham, Warlingham Colts, Whitehorse Wanderers.

17/ ANY OTHER BUSINESS:

a) Mike Gobel – two clubs have enquired about Sportsmanship Awards from last season. Sanderstead Juniors & New Beckenham to contact Mrs Plummer, Competitions Secretary.

b) League Chairman - reminded meeting of the increased fine (voted in by clubs) for those who are not represented at Clubs Meetings. We now have fewer such meetings so Clubs urged to attend, stay in touch and avoid the penalty.

c) Keston FC enquired about Girls playing at Under 14 and especially whether such girls could play in County Cup competitions. It was confirmed that girls can play in our own (Tandridge) league and cup games up to the age of Under 14 due to the special dispensation granted to us by the F.A. However, the situation with County Cup games would need to be checked.

NB. It was subsequently established (by reference to the FA in Soho Square) that County Cup Rules would take precedence over any special dispensation granted to individual Leagues – and as a result mixed football would be prohibited in County Cup games.

d) Mike Gobel – parents are contacting Officers asking how to find fixtures and results. Request that team managers inform their parents of the Our Kids Sports website. Suggestion of a link from old site to new.

e) Raffle: All proceeds to St.Giles School,

Winners: 211-215 Edenbridge United**; 221-225 Tonbridge Invicta; 281-285 A.McIlvaney**;

01-05 Rusthall; 306-310 Old Coulsdon Colts. ** Prize put back for next raffle “Thank You”

Meeting closed 09.40 pm

Date of Next Meeting: - Monday 12^th January 2009.