SWPL Bulletin & clarification re end of season in particular

[Dave Deacon]

Today’s Bulletin from the SWPL which is of interest when it particularly comes to the end of season Charity game as well as promotion and relegation issues

 

DECEMBER 2019

MEMO TO CLUBS & INTERESTED PARTIES FOLLOWING SWP BOAD MEETING ON THURSDAY 5TH DECEMBER

At this weeks board meeting I was asked to communicate with clubs not just the minutes of the meeting (which are at the bottom of this circular) but also a few notes & announcements of interest.

 

A) CHAMPIONS BOWL: It has been agreed to change the format of the Charity Day and in particular to combine the need for a true “Champions v Champions” match. Instead of the Charity Bowl being pre-season, the Champions Bowl will be played in May between the East & West Champions on a neutral ground. This has the added factor that the 2 squads of players will still be the active registered 2019/20 players (pre-season has meant teams are often very different to the ones that won titles). The match will still be in aid of the Benevolent fund. We are looking at the period Saturday 2nd to Saturday 9th May (inc) to stage the Walter C Parson Final and the Champions Bowl, the exact dates and venues of the two matches will be decided at the March board meeting, clubs interested in hosting either match are invited to express that to the Secretary.

 

CONDUCT: The board wishes to remind all clubs that the best of conduct is expected by clubs at all times and is mindful of recent incidents that have seen charges laid at spectators at our matches, and on a more national scale the recent circular from the FA following the racist aggravated abandonment of an FA Cup tie.

 

C) HOSPITALITY: It has been noted that some clubs who have stepped upto Step 6 have not been providing half time hospitality to visiting officials. The board do not expect clubs to provide a banquet, but tea & biscuits is a polite minimum. Likewise if away clubs are not going to have any officials travelling, then a polite advance notice to save the host club the expense would seem reasonable too. The league chairman also wishes to make the point on behalf of his officers, that they travel to matches to support the league and unless on specific business they are not paid any expenses, he does not wish to name clubs but is saddened to hear of league officers being charged for even a pre-match cup of tea, he points out that he would hope clubs would think better of this.

 

D) TROPHIES: As the league structure has changed, so some trophies need to be re-silvered and re-engraved for the end of the season, as such clubs are asked to return them in January rather than the official date of March 1 .

 

E) PROMOTION: To Step 5 – There is NO need to apply for promotion to step 5, it is expected that clubs normally finishing as Champions in each division will go up and for this season clubs in 2nd will also be invited to go up. However if clubs that require work to reach Grade G have not completed that by March 31st in the 1st of the 2 years allowed then they are unable to be promoted. Should any clubs, by March 31 , expect to be in a promotion position and be adamant that they would not wish to accept it then they need to write to the FA and the League stating their reasons. Promotion To Step 6 – Clubs in the Devon Football League and the St Piran League have been advised of the procedure to apply to the FA by December 31 . 

RELEGATION from Step 6: The bottom 2 in East & West are “liable” to relegation at the end of the season, but other factors such as spaces caused by clubs going up, clubs not joining from below etc may mean that does not happen, if necessary points per game over the 4 sides in the bottom 2 of each division would be factored. A chart showing this years expected movements is below.

 

F) LATERAL MOVEMENT ETC: We are aware of draft maps that have appeared on social media of possible make-up for next season nationally. Whilst that may prove to be an interesting incite, it is clearly a “what-if”. The FA however have decided to do their own mapping exercise in the new year when applicants from step 7 will be known, and they have arranged a meeting in the midlands of all Step 5 & 6 Leagues for February 2, after that clubs who maybe affected by lateral movement would be informed. Until then, please view any social media mappings as “possible” and nothing more!

 

G) HAPPY CHRISTMAS: Other than Minutes (Separate attachment for club secretaries only and FA promotion graphic below, that’s it for now except to say a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS to all Players, Officials and Supporters and a HAPPY NEW YEAR !

 

[BIG AL]

1 hour ago, Dave Deacon said:

Today’s Bulletin from the SWPL which is of interest when it particularly comes to the end of season Charity game as well as promotion and relegation issues

 

DECEMBER 2019

MEMO TO CLUBS & INTERESTED PARTIES FOLLOWING SWP BOAD MEETING ON THURSDAY 5TH DECEMBER

At this weeks board meeting I was asked to communicate with clubs not just the minutes of the meeting (which are at the bottom of this circular) but also a few notes & announcements of interest.

 

A) CHAMPIONS BOWL: It has been agreed to change the format of the Charity Day and in particular to combine the need for a true “Champions v Champions” match. Instead of the Charity Bowl being pre-season, the Champions Bowl will be played in May between the East & West Champions on a neutral ground. This has the added factor that the 2 squads of players will still be the active registered 2019/20 players (pre-season has meant teams are often very different to the ones that won titles). The match will still be in aid of the Benevolent fund. We are looking at the period Saturday 2nd to Saturday 9th May (inc) to stage the Walter C Parson Final and the Champions Bowl, the exact dates and venues of the two matches will be decided at the March board meeting, clubs interested in hosting either match are invited to express that to the Secretary.

 

CONDUCT: The board wishes to remind all clubs that the best of conduct is expected by clubs at all times and is mindful of recent incidents that have seen charges laid at spectators at our matches, and on a more national scale the recent circular from the FA following the racist aggravated abandonment of an FA Cup tie.

 

C) HOSPITALITY: It has been noted that some clubs who have stepped upto Step 6 have not been providing half time hospitality to visiting officials. The board do not expect clubs to provide a banquet, but tea & biscuits is a polite minimum. Likewise if away clubs are not going to have any officials travelling, then a polite advance notice to save the host club the expense would seem reasonable too. The league chairman also wishes to make the point on behalf of his officers, that they travel to matches to support the league and unless on specific business they are not paid any expenses, he does not wish to name clubs but is saddened to hear of league officers being charged for even a pre-match cup of tea, he points out that he would hope clubs would think better of this.

 

D) TROPHIES: As the league structure has changed, so some trophies need to be re-silvered and re-engraved for the end of the season, as such clubs are asked to return them in January rather than the official date of March 1 .

 

E) PROMOTION: To Step 5 – There is NO need to apply for promotion to step 5, it is expected that clubs normally finishing as Champions in each division will go up and for this season clubs in 2nd will also be invited to go up. However if clubs that require work to reach Grade G have not completed that by March 31st in the 1st of the 2 years allowed then they are unable to be promoted. Should any clubs, by March 31 , expect to be in a promotion position and be adamant that they would not wish to accept it then they need to write to the FA and the League stating their reasons. Promotion To Step 6 – Clubs in the Devon Football League and the St Piran League have been advised of the procedure to apply to the FA by December 31 . 

RELEGATION from Step 6: The bottom 2 in East & West are “liable” to relegation at the end of the season, but other factors such as spaces caused by clubs going up, clubs not joining from below etc may mean that does not happen, if necessary points per game over the 4 sides in the bottom 2 of each division would be factored. A chart showing this years expected movements is below.

 

F) LATERAL MOVEMENT ETC: We are aware of draft maps that have appeared on social media of possible make-up for next season nationally. Whilst that may prove to be an interesting incite, it is clearly a “what-if”. The FA however have decided to do their own mapping exercise in the new year when applicants from step 7 will be known, and they have arranged a meeting in the midlands of all Step 5 & 6 Leagues for February 2, after that clubs who maybe affected by lateral movement would be informed. Until then, please view any social media mappings as “possible” and nothing more!

 

G) HAPPY CHRISTMAS: Other than Minutes (Separate attachment for club secretaries only and FA promotion graphic below, that’s it for now except to say a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS to all Players, Officials and Supporters and a HAPPY NEW YEAR !

 

Section C  Why should visiting league officials have free food and beverages? They should pay for them just as supporters do, they choose to visit!