ESBFL – Information for Clubs for Season 2020/2021

I hope you are all keeping well in these strange times.

I thought we should start to prepare for the forthcoming season although we are not really any closer to knowing exactly what is going on with grass roots football!

Please share this email with other people in your club if you are not the right person to receive it. And let me know please who should have received it. 

There is some information I want to pass on to you, although it comes with the warning that it is not set in tablets of stone and is subject to change depending on government advice and guidance.

Firstly the AGM planned to take place on 10 June will not be taking place.

One has been pencilled in for 8 July, I will be in touch in due course to confirm whether this is happening in person or virtually or whether there has been a further delay.

You may be aware that it is a rule (Rule 8A) that the AGM MUST be held by 30 June each year, dispensation has already been given by Essex FA for a delay in holding the meeting.

I am delighted that we have been approached by well over 30 new teams/clubs. Of these it looks like about 20 will be joining us and as a result we will be creating a new Division – Division 4.

Tiptree Engaine FC have withdrawn from the league creating a vacancy in the Premier Division and Division 2, Little Oakley FC and Wormingford Wanderers FC are only having one team next season. 

Essex County FA and the FA  itself run a number of on line training courses and further information on “you-tube” – for instance there is one for new clubs, new officers, referees, safeguarding etc.  Have a look on the ECFA website and look at those which would be useful to you/your club. You may well have more time now than over the forthcoming months! In particular remember there is new guidance about safeguarding- almost all clubs will sign players who are under 18.

You should be aware that ECFA have waived the Club (you) and League (ESBFL) Affiliation Fees for the forthcoming season.

You will still be required to affiliate, but won’t be required to make a payment for it, not forgetting that you must have Club Insurance beforehand! (Bluefin Sport part of Marsh Limited are recognised insurers). I believe that County Affiliation is opening up as usual, but the closing date which is usually 30 June, is likely to be extended.

Refer note from the Treasurer below concerning ESBFL Affiliation Fees for Season 2020/2021

Most teams want to get on and sign players on as soon as they can – usually once training restarts.

The new signing on form for 2020-21 will be posted on the website and can be used as soon as it is there.

Obviously at this stage we do not know when we will be able to receive registrations and when WGS (Whole Game System) will be available for them to be logged.

I will let you know as soon as possible and information will be put on the website as soon as it is available.

This should not stop you physically signing players on before this time, but remember the 1st to 30th June is still officially the close season.

Can I remind you that players should use their ordinarily used signature to sign the form and it must be a “wet” signature – ie not cut and pasted onto the form.

You must keep a copy of the forms but you can send them electronically to me (in fact I prefer them electronically). One of the ESBFL rules is that a minimum of 15 players, per team, are signed on and submitted by 31st July. At this moment this stands, but if there is a delay to the start of the season this date is likely to be changed.

New Forms for: Player Registration Sheet, Player Transfer Form, Signed-On-Match-Day Form, Club Information Sheet will replace those currently on the web-site.

Remember it is for the Club to ensure that the information on WGS is accurate. You must identify and place people to their appropriate roles and ensure their personal details – address, email and telephone number/s are correct. Also with players, please make sure that the information is correct, no nicknames or abbreviations, and that there is only one FAN number for each player!

As you are probably aware it is a requirement of the ESBFL that players have an email address on their WGS record – please make sure this is accurate. It is needed so players can use the FA app and receive information. I believe it is not possible to (for instance) use a club email address for all players, we actually consider this inappropriate!

Information from WGS is pulled through to FA Full-Time and the email notifications and SMS/text messaging will be sent to officers identified.  Information can only be changed on WGS by the club, however, I am unable to change it so it is vital that it is right.

As usual you will be receiving a form to complete with Club Information prior to the season starting. This will be information in relation to handbook information, venues, pitch clashes, dates you or the pitch may be unavailable, people you want as the key contacts (this is something I can change on full time). Once the form is circulated please complete it accurately and quickly and return it to me.

We will be holding an information session for new teams and clubs as soon as we are able. It is really useful for you to attend this and even if you are an established club with new officers, come along and listen!

The Treasurer has advised that ESBFL Affiliation Fees for Season 2020/2021 will, given the current circumstances, be reduced, as follows:

Affiliation Fee per team: £50.00    (normally £130.00)

Cup Affiliation per team, per cup: £20.00    (normally £40.00)

New Club Application Fee, per team: £50.00    (normally £100.00)(NB – this fee is “off-set” against Divisional Fee once elected, or is returned if application is unsuccessful)

New Club Deposit: £10.00    (No Change)

Treasurer will circulate the relevant ESBFL Affiliation Form in due course, payment, preferably via BACS, is normally on or before the ESBFL, AGM, however this may change once further information is received and a date set for the AGM.

One of the reasons we are unable to offer free fees is that our league has had no sponsors since Kent and Blaxill withdrew their support 5 or 6 years ago. Sponsorship is important to grassroots football as I am sure I don’t need to tell you. I would like to ask if any of you have or could suggest any potential contacts who may be interested in sponsoring the league or even advertising on our website or social media pages.

I also think the league would benefit from having someone on the committee with some marketing knowledge who could help raise our profile further and possibly raise some much needed funds at the same time. Please let me know if you might be interested or if you know of someone who fits the bill! 

Please also note that Referees Fees for Season 2020/2021 remain unchanged, as follows:

Step 7 (Premier) – Referee = £40.00

Step 7 (Premier) – Assistant Referees = £25.00 (Away team to reimburse Home team with £25.00 if match has three appointed officials)

All Other Open-Age (D1-D4) – Referee = £35.00

Finally please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or queries you may have.  We are always willing and (usually) able to answer and help you out.

It is much better to ask than struggle and get things wrong and incur fines!!

With best wishes. Stay safe!

Alison Stanford

ESBFL Secretary