FIXTURE UPDATE & PLAYER REGISTRATIONS / TRANSFERS

FIXTURES

With the bad weather we have had over December, January and again recently we are struggling to get the fixtures arranged and played. We want to complete the season as soon as we can avoiding cancelling games wherever possible and ideally avoid going too far into May. Some teams still have 12 or 13 games to play excluding cup games. In some divisions some teams only have a handful of games to play, but these are all against the same teams!!

Our plan is to book in all the league games. Some of these games will need to be rearranged once the cup games are played to enable us to complete the league and the cups. I realise that the weather is outside of our control and next week’s forecast is not great either, but it is important to get games on wherever possible. Please remember if your game has to be called off the rule about this is Rule 23D in relation to notifications – don’t forget to notify the Referees Secretary as well so your referee could be reappointed.

We are asking teams to be as flexible and cooperative as possible to get the games completed. For instance one club this weekend booked a 3g pitch (at 3pm on the Friday!) to get their game on which was otherwise sure to be postponed. Another asked a club, who were not using their pitch, to borrow/hire the pitch so their game could go ahead. So, it is possible in some cases for the games to proceed.

It is inevitable that clubs (most of you) WILL have evening games. In most cases the opposition won’t have lights and therefore the kick offs will be 6:30 pm – you will need to be prepared for this. We will NOT be changing fixtures except in accordance with the rules, or where it is in the competitions interests to do so. (Rule 20 B). I fear that there may be a minority of teams who will need to have 2 midweek games occasionally, so maybe a Tuesday and Thursday although we will try to avoid this at all possible costs.

I would ask therefore that if you think there is a possibility of your fixture being cancelled you follow up alternatives which could include:

Reversing the fixture and playing at your oppositions ground – even if it is your home game
Sourcing a 3/4g pitch
Trying to book an alternative pitch – perhaps a council or leisure centre pitch or hiring a pitch from another ESBL or other league club who have no home game
Booking the pitch of a club who does have lights (and have an evening fixture)
Consider a double kick-off on a “fit pitch” for instance a 2:00pm and 4:00pm kick-off

Should you make arrangements alternative to the published fixture please let Mick know so the details can be changed on the system. And whoever is the “home” team retains that status whether or not they are playing at home. Should you source a pitch which has not been sanctioned by the league, or if you are not sure, please check with the Grounds Grading officers to ensure it is OK to play there. These are:

Ground & Amenities Standards Officer BRIAN MARTIN Telephone: 01206 826728 Mobile: 07805 816178

Ground & Amenities Standards Assistant RICHARD DEGVILLE Telephone: 01206 792599

Some of you may be willing to play on bank holidays (Easter Monday, May Day and May 8^th). If this is the case let us know and we will try to match you up.

Many thanks for your cooperation and support on this.

REGISTRATIONS

Just a reminder that the deadline for completing registrations and transfers is 31 March.