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F A Cup and Vase Application


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Be interesting to find out why they've done this. Haven't they entered in to FA competitions in the last few seasons? And surely it's beneficial to enter these competitions as you don't just play local teams you have the chance to play teams nationally, and it will test the ability of the players themselves and the squad as a whole.

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Over the last 12 months, the FA has carried out a nation-wide inspection of all clubs at Step 6 to discover how many of them are not fully compliant with current ground grading requirements. This has impacted badly on a large number of clubs nationally which originally met the necessary standards but have not kept up with the changes which have been made over the years. Clubs were given up to 31st March this year to make the necessary improvements to their facilities if they wanted to enter FA competitions next season and those which didn't will not be accepted. Some SWPL clubs have managed to get the work done by the deadline, others - for various reasons - have not been able to do so.

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10 hours ago, John Mead said:

Over the last 12 months, the FA has carried out a nation-wide inspection of all clubs at Step 6 to discover how many of them are not fully compliant with current ground grading requirements. This has impacted badly on a large number of clubs nationally which originally met the necessary standards but have not kept up with the changes which have been made over the years. Clubs were given up to 31st March this year to make the necessary improvements to their facilities if they wanted to enter FA competitions next season and those which didn't will not be accepted. Some SWPL clubs have managed to get the work done by the deadline, others - for various reasons - have not been able to do so.

Any chance John of us knowing which clubs that previously have been in the Vase, that won't be next season?

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14 hours ago, John Mead said:

Over the last 12 months, the FA has carried out a nation-wide inspection of all clubs at Step 6 to discover how many of them are not fully compliant with current ground grading requirements. This has impacted badly on a large number of clubs nationally which originally met the necessary standards but have not kept up with the changes which have been made over the years. Clubs were given up to 31st March this year to make the necessary improvements to their facilities if they wanted to enter FA competitions next season and those which didn't will not be accepted. Some SWPL clubs have managed to get the work done by the deadline, others - for various reasons - have not been able to do so.

Other than St Austell, who else had to fork out for these improvements John ?  Is this not a little unfair for non proffessional  clubs to find extra money in a time when gates in the South West and I expect nationally, are falling. Less than 30 at Elburton Villa last night, I'm told. Good to see the billions of pounds generated by Sky and The FA waterfalling down to the less fortunate.

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1 hour ago, Dave Deacon said:

If I didn't think better, it's almost as if the FA don't want Step 6 clubs in the FA competitions any more! :ninja:

Exactly what I've said recently. St Blazey have to tarmac the car park area as you enter the ground and concrete the area under the covered end behind the goal. That will cost thousands. I very much doubt that will be done anytime soon so you can forget entering the Vase. It's great to push clubs to improve facilities but you have to question the sense of some of it. If St Blazey drew say Shepton Mallet in the cup and a crowd of 150 max turned up they say it's not safe. People could throw stones. Yet a local derby against St Austell could draw 300 plus and then it's not a problem. 

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Previously, the FA Vase ground entry requirements were, hard standing on three sides and a minimum of 75 seats. This now appears to have been changed to all 4 sides hard standing but the seating numbers seem unclear.

Godolphin have 60 seats and are recommended for acceptance next season. Tania & Co have done an amazing job at getting the ground looking right, extra car parking and standing areas, it is right they get the chance to enter a National Comp. 

As someone above said, generally step 6 clubs do not get past the first few rounds with crowds of 200 or less, yet SWPL games are fine where attendances, on occasions, are double that and more. St Austell were permitted to upgrade for the Vase Semi, is this rule no longer valid ?

Clubs can host Championship clubs in pre-season where attendances are 4 figures, but not good enough for Newquay v Odd Down in future ? 

Have the SWPL put up any argument or protest to the FA ?  It does seem that the restrictions / improvements change from year to year, but without adequate funding from above, very few clubs will be able to keep up with the annual budget busting that the FA are imposing on village and small town clubs.

Mount Wise Stadium is still one of the best grounds in Cornwall, can easily accommodate 3,500 in comfort, the ground was improved last summer, but the rules seem to have changed again since then. Can't say that I, or the many Peppermints I have spoken with since yesterday are happy about any of it.

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Part of a visitors report on the Helston Hop game-

The last game had few chances and 0-0 written all over it until the 70th minute when the Falmouth keeper dropped a cross and the Helston #6 stabbed home the loose ball. Ground enclosed by a wooden fence, main football furniture is an Atcost stand and cover overhanging the clubhouse on the same side. Spectators were allowed to watch on the opposite side despite having no hard standing, in some other Step 6 leagues this would have been a no go area!

Yesterday Kellaway Park received its F.A.grade "G" ground grading status allowing them to compete in F A Competition.

So I guess its hard standing on three sides

 

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All Step 6 clubs are required to be fully compliant with FA G Grade standards whether or not they enter FA Cup or Vase competitions. The national revue has revealed that many do not meet all the requirements and these clubs will not be permitted to enter FA Competitions until the necessary work has been completed. The deadline to be compliant in order to enter next years competitions was 31st March but the original threat of relegation to Step 7 has been put on hold (again) by the FA. 

The biggest problem seems to be the FA's re-definition of hard standing - which must be on at least the full length of two adjacent sides/ends and has to be a bound surface. There also has to be access to all spectator facilities via similar hard standing and no loose stones/chippings are permitted within a ground which are easily accessible to spectators. These are non-negotional FA requirements for both their competitions and SWPL Premier Division.

Regarding 1,000+ gates, the Police and Cornwall Council have instigated a Safety Advisory Group to regulate the provisions made by the Safety at Sports Grounds Act and any match likely to attract large numbers will involve their scrutiny before permission is given for it to go ahead - as happened for St Austell's Vase semi final last year. Luckily, it shouldn't impact upon normal league matches!

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21 minutes ago, John Mead said:

All Step 6 clubs are required to be fully compliant with FA G Grade standards whether or not they enter FA Cup or Vase competitions. The national revue has revealed that many do not meet all the requirements and these clubs will not be permitted to enter FA Competitions until the necessary work has been completed. The deadline to be compliant in order to enter next years competitions was 31st March but the original threat of relegation to Step 7 has been put on hold (again) by the FA. 

The biggest problem seems to be the FA's re-definition of hard standing - which must be on at least the full length of two adjacent sides/ends and has to be a bound surface. There also has to be access to all spectator facilities via similar hard standing and no loose stones/chippings are permitted within a ground which are easily accessible to spectators. These are non-negotional FA requirements for both their competitions and SWPL Premier Division.

Regarding 1,000+ gates, the Police and Cornwall Council have instigated a Safety Advisory Group to regulate the provisions made by the Safety at Sports Grounds Act and any match likely to attract large numbers will involve their scrutiny before permission is given for it to go ahead - as happened for St Austell's Vase semi final last year. Luckily, it shouldn't impact upon normal league matches!

Freudian slip perhaps - my dictionary says a revue is theatrical entertainment

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