Newsletter 3 - 19th January 2012:
Hope you all had a good Christmas and on behalf of the Committee wish everybody a Happy New Year.
The weather has been reasonable up to now and fixtures are being completed without too many problems. The League has suffered three withdrawals in the period before Christmas, two of which, Fairfax Rangers and Wheatleys, were from the Premier Division which is most regrettable. The other withdrawal was Leigh Gentlemen from Division 3. Each of these Clubs experienced similar problems of players being unable or unwilling to commit to playing regularly and what is, unfortunately, becoming more common, a failure to support their Clubs by honouring their financial responsibilities making it impossible for their Clubs to continue. I would remind Club Secretaries that players who leave owing money can and should be reported to the League in order that they may be placed on the Debtors List which will prevent them from signing for other clubs.
There are a few amendments to the Handbook
Kursaal Peoples Foundation - Peter King new Tel. No. 01702 323352
Railway Academicals - New Kit for 1st Team - Claret Shirts Sky Blue Shorts. 2nd Team continue with Sky Blue Shirts and Claret Shorts
New Referee - Ian Angus-Felton (h) 01268 695627 (m) 07506564673 (b) 0207 220 4777
Whilst the AGM is some way off, I am required to advise Essex County F.A. of any proposed Rule Changes for next season. If you have any proposals for changes to the Rules I would ask you to let me have details by the end of this month.
As expected there have been some teething problems with the new Match Based Disciplinary System introduced by Essex County F.A. at the beginning of the season. I would remind you that players are automatically suspended 21 days after they were sent off and Clubs are required to send details of scheduled fixtures that cover the period of a player's suspension to Essex County F.A. If the League has not issued a fixture for the date(s) falling within the range of the suspension period you must advise Essex County F.A. of the relating fixture(s) as soon as the Fixture List is issued by the League. If your Club is not allocated a fixture on a particular date or a match is postponed, that date or match will not count towards the player's suspension period and you must advise Essex County F.A. of the alternative (later) date(s) that will apply. Clubs that run two teams should be aware that if a 1st Team player is suspended then the suspension must be served against 1st Team fixtures. The same requirement applies to 2nd Team players.
The October Newsletter highlighted the issue of excessive bad language being used by players during games. I regret to report that further complaints have been received and one Club has appeared at a League Disciplinary Hearing at which a final warning as to their future conduct was issued. Most recently a report has been received where one of our clubs were playing on a pitch alongside a junior game attended by parents who voiced their disgust at the language being used by players in our League. This situation must not be allowed to continue and I would ask Club Secretaries to put their players on notice that the use of foul language brings disrepute upon the League and the Committee will not hesitate in taking action against clubs under the provisions of the Rules.
Through this Newsletter I am asking that all Referees remind players that foul and abusive language will not to be tolerated and that the Laws of the Game are to be applied in this regard.
On a somewhat lighter note, I am pleased to announce that the Charity Cup Competition for 2010-11 will be making donations for a total of £2,350 which figure is an increase on the previous year, to the following local organisations:
Essex Deaf Children's Society, Special Needs Activity Club, Castle Point Sports Club for the Disabled, St. Christopher Young People's Trust, Leigh on Sea Endeavour Trust, Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust and Rayleigh, Rochford & Castle Point Talking Newspapers for the Blind
Rob Pickup
Hon. Secretary