Autumn Newsletter 2017/18

Welcome to this our second newsletter of this season. In this edition we cover:

Constitution 2017/18 & Cup Draw

Referees

FA Women’s Conference

Funding- Charter Standard

But first. Many congratulations to all clubs that are doing well in their county cup competitions and those that have had a good run in the FA Cup. Pride of place must go to Harlow Town who have reached the second round proper of the competition. We do wish Harlow every success; a great game with right result!

Constitution

Really good news that all clubs appear to have settled back into the “3 Division” framework and we do hope you’re enjoying the games and competition. So how are first division teams finding it? Be very interested to know.

Disappointed that we have now lost 3 teams, 2 from the Premier Division would you believe and Offley & Stopsley from the first Division South. We did seek help from County FAs to try and recruit more players, but at this level in the game most players that want to play are already signed up, so it’s all a bit difficult. There’s no doubt that having a continuous supply of fresh players coming through a youth set up is the way to go.

It’s also interesting to have a look at the number of players registered for each team over the last couple of seasons and the number that have dropped by the wayside and compare this with the number recruited. You can do this through looking at Full-time, so check it out for your club and ask yourself, “Are we bringing through sufficient players to cover those that move on?” Worth thinking about talking to your County FA development team perhaps.  

Fixtures 

As with the last few seasons, we reach into November and think we’re doing well; up with the league schedule and the cup rounds. But then, the weather kicks off and come the end of February we wonder how we’ll get all the games in. So if the weather does start to take a grip then do fight back and try and get your games played; but without any health and safety issues mind you. Think about doing a deal with a local all-weather pitch facility. Try setting something up as a fall back now, you then get priority access and a better deal.

Now the exciting bit, the cup draw!

League Cup

Round 3 to be played on 10th December 2017
Match 1	Wymondham	V	Writtle
Match 2	Royston	V	Colney Heath
Match 3	Ipswich Development	V	Billericay
Match 4	Kings Lynn	V	Acle
Match 5	Harlow	V	Brentwood
Match 6	Cambridge City	V	Bedford
Bye	AFC Dunstable
Bye	AFC Sudbury

League Plate

Round 1 to be played on 10th December 2017
Match 1	Histon	v	Ipswich Wanderers
Round 2, Date to be arranged
	Cambridge United Reserves	v	Hutton
	Winners of Match 1	v	Hertford
	Bishops Stortford	v	Hoddesdon
	Stevenage Reserves	v	Little Thurrock Dynamos

We do hope you enjoy these games and wish you all every success!

Referees

Our project of working with County FAs to appoint referees to clubs in their county for home matches has continued successfully.

But, do always check out with the appointed referee that they know: where they are going, kick off time and match details (Cup or League). And do make sure you get conformation from them that they are going to do the game. Also, thinking about it, be good to give them your mobile contact details, and, always get their mobile number in case of an emergency.

Many thanks also for feedback you’re providing on the performance of our referees. Don’t forget the standard marking process is:

Marking range	Description
91 – 100	Excellent
81 – 90	Very Good
71 – 80	Good
61 – 70	Acceptable
Below 60	Unacceptable

So there it is, don’t go giving referees silly marks, up or down and don’t forget to use the form if you’re going to mark the referee down.

FA Women’s Conference

Peter and Jim recently attended a meeting of the Women’s Conference that included some discussion on the structure of the women’s pyramid.

The FA have reviewed the upper end of the pyramid and some restructure agreed that will be put in place over the next few seasons and now they have commissioned some work to start reviewing regional and county levels in the game.

So during the upcoming months do be thinking about the structure at our regional level in the pyramid and how you think improvements can be made to help current clubs and attract more teams and clubs into the game at our level.

It looks like the FA will be running some roadshows, one of which maybe at a meeting of ours, and we’re sure your ideas will add considerable value to the process.

Funding- Charter Standard

Earlier this season we were able to provide match balls and bibs for those in technical areas and we do hope you’re making good use of these.

We were able to do this through a partnership with Nike, but chiefly through financial support provided by the FA.

To access FA support we produce a Development Plan that’s agreed with the FA and this year we’ve again submitted our plan and we meet with the FA at the end of November for them to consider our proposals.

Again, we’ve included footballs for all our clubs and in fact we’ve already received a £1000 administration grant from them towards our ongoing costs through this plan.

An expectation from the FA is that all of our clubs achieve Charter Standard status so please help us help you by maintaining your Charter Standard accreditation.

Don’t forget we still have funding available to support emergency first aid qualification, to better ensure match day health & safety, and to cover the cost of any physio support your players may need. Contact our Treasurer, John Bacon, for details.