Our system detected that your browser is blocking advertisements on our site. Please help support Fans Focus by disabling any kind of ad blocker while browsing this site. Thank you.
Jump to content

Applications for promotion


bomaya

Recommended Posts

Two main problems are enclosing the ground and putting in turnstiles.

 

These are also required at Step 6 - presumably Guernsey were given dispensation for this as they'd only just joined. I assume they were given a date (end of this season maybe?) to have the Cat G stuff done.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

And just to be complete, the main differences between Cat F (Step 5) and Cat E (Step 4) are:

 

1. Club must either own their ground or have at least a lease covering the following season.

2. Minimum safe capacity of 1000.

3. Permanent boundary must stop specatators from being able to view the game from outside. Hedges, shrubs, trees etc not accpetable.

4. Floodlighting certificate must be no more than 6 months old.

5. There must be 2 entrances with turnstiles, both lit. There must be bound surfaces at all entrances/exits.

6. Minimum covered accomodation is 250, of which 150 must be seated. No stands with less than 50 seats.

7. Hard standing on all 4 sides.

8. 2 Press seats required.

9. Grass banking can't be used to watch game from.

10. Directors room must accomodate min of 16 people.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

And just to be complete, the main differences between Cat F (Step 5) and Cat E (Step 4) are:

 

1. Club must either own their ground or have at least a lease covering the following season.

2. Minimum safe capacity of 1000.

3. Permanent boundary must stop specatators from being able to view the game from outside. Hedges, shrubs, trees etc not accpetable.

4. Floodlighting certificate must be no more than 6 months old.

5. There must be 2 entrances with turnstiles, both lit. There must be bound surfaces at all entrances/exits.

6. Minimum covered accomodation is 250, of which 150 must be seated. No stands with less than 50 seats.

7. Hard standing on all 4 sides.

8. 2 Press seats required.

9. Grass banking can't be used to watch game from.

10. Directors room must accomodate min of 16 people.

 

And the difference between grade E (suitable for promotion to step 4) and grade D (needed within a year to stay at step 4) -

hardly anything. The capacity goes up to 1300, the covered accomodation goes up to 300 (seats stay at 150) and the director's seats must be in a 'prime position in the main stand'. Everything else is the same. Why the FA still bother with grade E I don't know. Grade D has been watered down a bit in recent years and now makes E redundant and a waste of time in my view. Clubs can only have an E for a few months before they have to get a D unless they come straight back down again. Might as well get rid of it.

Edited by VPCTFC
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have no idea how they would enclose the ground as its very open at the moment...

 

(null)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have no idea how they would enclose the ground as its very open at the moment...

 

(null)

 

This was Binfield's problem last season. They virtually refused to do it (if you go to their ground you'll see why) so didn't get the grading required for promotion. You don't have to hem the ground in with fencing but, on the other hand, you can't have a fence a hundred metres away from the pitch and claim that as a boundary.

There's almost 100% agreement throughout non-league football that the gradings are too strict, especially for the smaller clubs who may only get 50 or 60 punters to the games. As long as the ground's safe then that should be enough. Clubs who go up through the leagues would probably get a bigger stand and do the ground up as they go anyway but the FA have these gradings in place and everyone has to stick to them. And they're strict - leagues have been forced to relegate teams who don't get the correct grading by March 31st each year. There have been numerous appeals regarding gradings from clubs as high as the Blue Square Premier down to our level. Most have failed.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

To have it totally enclosed does seem a little OTT. We have had over 1,000 fans at each of our game and emply stewards and a couple of the boys in blue and we have not had onc incident. Its a modern stadium admittingly with Athletics as its main tenant. Problem is with the cost and scaricity of land I cant see anyway of GFC building their own stadium. So not sure what plans GFC have for moving up the pymraid system.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Excuse my ignorance VP, Bommie. So are we saying then that Guernsey's Footes Lane is in adequate for CCL Premier if its not enclosed or have turnstiles ?

 

I would imagine that as they very well supported, the FA/CCL will make a dispensation to the rule allowing them to be promoted ? Is that fair on other clubs I ask when other clubs must abide by the grading rules?

 

Perhaps Whitelaw can reveal more ?

 

Interesting...........

Edited by NICE GUY
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Having now read the thread I see there's nothing to do with the title in it!

 

I don't see why clubs hide the fact that they're applying for promotion - the FA put the list on their website in early January for all to see so it can't be a secret.

 

This is my guess based on current league positions:-

Guildford will obviously apply. I assume they have a grade E so can go up.

Windsor will apply and have the grading

Camberley will apply and have the grading

Egham will apply and have the grading

Horley will probably apply - don't have the grading but probably only need a turnstile block?

Hanworth Villa I suspect will apply. I've only been there twice and have to say i haven't looked at the ground that closely so don't know about grading.

When you get to South Park down you're in the area of 'do they fancy their chances of a top two finish'? Taking nothing away from the sides involved, just my opinion.

South Park might apply just to see what work needs doing for a grade 'E' or 'D'.

Molesey usually apply and have the grading

Badshot Lea usually apply and, if they're staying at Godalming, have the grading.

Dorking - will they apply? fair play to them if they do - a few years at the wrong end of the table and it'd be nice to see them make a statement by applying for promotion.

Wembley - probably too far down to apply but they have the grading

From Croydon downwards I can't see anyone applying but you never know.

 

I'll state it now - whoever finishes top deserves to go up irrespective of ground grading, having the right paperwork or applying by the deadline. I still don't see why promotion from step 5 is the only level in the National League System that teams have to announce their intentions and get a special grading before being allowed up. At all the other levels you have until March 31st the following season to get the grading. It ain't right.

I was speaking to someone from Horley recently and they already have turnstiles ready to be fitted,three sets I believe. The contractor who is carrying out the work on the sports complex adjacent to the ground (and current sponsors of the club) are going to fit them for the club.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have only visited one other CCL club so I am not aware of how other clubs grounds are. I went to see Staines Lammas and they play at Ash United, I assumed the main problem with Staines' ground was no lights due to its close proximity to Heathrow. I noted that Ash's ground has lower lights.

 

I am soon to discover the delights that Worcester Park offers!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Surely with a club as well run as Guernsey then their officials would have been fully aware as to what was required for their ground to advance up the footballing pyramid when they applied to join the pyramid system.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have only visited one other CCL club so I am not aware of how other clubs grounds are. I went to see Staines Lammas and they play at Ash United, I assumed the main problem with Staines' ground was no lights due to its close proximity to Heathrow. I noted that Ash's ground has lower lights.

 

I am soon to discover the delights that Worcester Park offers!

Hi and good morning..... They share with Ashford not Ash.... ok mate .. And Ashford is closer to Heathrow than Lammas park....There are other issues regarding lights at the Lammas unfortunately as I wish they had them and could progress without having to share...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Cannot see a problem with Guernsey going up to C.C.L. Premier,does strict ground grading rules apply at this stage.A few Clubs in the Premier do not have Turnstiles in place,or are fully enclosed.I am sure that Guernsey F.C.are aware of what is needed,being the well run Club they are.They may encounter problems when promoted from C.C.L. Premier though,next year!!!!!!!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Cannot see a problem with Guernsey going up to C.C.L. Premier,does strict ground grading rules apply at this stage.A few Clubs in the Premier do not have Turnstiles in place,or are fully enclosed.

 

These issues only crop up when trying for promotion usually.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Cannot see a problem with Guernsey going up to C.C.L. Premier,does strict ground grading rules apply at this stage.A few Clubs in the Premier do not have Turnstiles in place,or are fully enclosed.I am sure that Guernsey F.C.are aware of what is needed,being the well run Club they are.They may encounter problems when promoted from C.C.L. Premier though,next year!!!!!!!!

 

It's dangerous to ignore them, as Frimley Green, Feltham & Horley found out to their cost at the end of Season 2005 / 06. All 3 were relegated when not in relegation positions (Horley were 5th that season) due to failing ground grading criteria at a time when the FA were restructuring. Frimley & Feltham have yet to recover from that blow

Link to comment
Share on other sites

And the difference between grade E (suitable for promotion to step 4) and grade D (needed within a year to stay at step 4) -

hardly anything. The capacity goes up to 1300, the covered accomodation goes up to 300 (seats stay at 150) and the director's seats must be in a 'prime position in the main stand'. Everything else is the same. Why the FA still bother with grade E I don't know. Grade D has been watered down a bit in recent years and now makes E redundant and a waste of time in my view. Clubs can only have an E for a few months before they have to get a D unless they come straight back down again. Might as well get rid of it.

 

There are quite a few 'may haves' that turn in to 'must haves' as well though.

 

Mind you, the FA tend to ignore the actual content of the grading documents and just go with whatever the inspectors feel like on the day. So really it's a pointless exercise unless you have a good relationship with the inspectors.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have only visited one other CCL club so I am not aware of how other clubs grounds are. I went to see Staines Lammas and they play at Ash United, I assumed the main problem with Staines' ground was no lights due to its close proximity to Heathrow. I noted that Ash's ground has lower lights.

 

I am soon to discover the delights that Worcester Park offers!

Hi and good morning..... They share with Ashford not Ash.... ok mate .. And Ashford is closer to Heathrow than Lammas park....There are other issues regarding lights at the Lammas unfortunately as I wish they had them and could progress without having to share...

Sorry I meany Ashford, remember it well as I drove through Ashford twice trying to find the ground! lol I see what you are saying about Staines, i took an (un)educated guess.

 

Surely with a club as well run as Guernsey then their officials would have been fully aware as to what was required for their ground to advance up the footballing pyramid when they applied to join the pyramid system.

I am sure they have a plan as I know the people at the top and they are very good at their job. Just surprised at the amout of work needed to get Footes Lane up to standard.

Edited by HKP
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have only visited one other CCL club so I am not aware of how other clubs grounds are. I went to see Staines Lammas and they play at Ash United, I assumed the main problem with Staines' ground was no lights due to its close proximity to Heathrow. I noted that Ash's ground has lower lights.

 

I am soon to discover the delights that Worcester Park offers!

Hi and good morning..... They share with Ashford not Ash.... ok mate .. And Ashford is closer to Heathrow than Lammas park....There are other issues regarding lights at the Lammas unfortunately as I wish they had them and could progress without having to share...

Sorry I meany Ashford, remember it well as I drove through Ashford twice trying to find the ground! lol I see what you are saying about Staines, i took an (un)educated guess.

 

Surely with a club as well run as Guernsey then their officials would have been fully aware as to what was required for their ground to advance up the footballing pyramid when they applied to join the pyramid system.

I am sure they have a plan as I know the people at the top and they are very good at their job. Just surprised at the amout of work needed to get Footes Lane up to standard.

 

I actually wondered KB if these new ground grading measures for STEP 5 were ever considered or even known of once Guernsey's campaign started ? They will have to start work very soon 'cos it appears they will be promoted as champions, but only if the ground passes it's grading........interesting!

 

Has the panic button been pressed at Guernsey I ask !!!

Edited by NICE GUY
Link to comment
Share on other sites

No panic yet. You don't the need the grading of the level you're playing at until March 31st of your first season in it.

Example - Camberley have a grade D. We can play at step 4 forever with that grading. We would also be able to be promoted to step 3 but would have to get a C by March 31st or else we'd be relegated back to step 4.

I think Wembley and Windsor both have grade Cs so they're sorted for a few years.

It's only going from step 5 to step 4 where you need the next grading up before being allowed to take promotion.

 

It is very unwise for clubs to ignore the gradings at steps 5 and 6 and hope the leagues are lenient - the FA will shorlty be inspecting every ground at step 5 that hasn't had an inspection in recent years so that they can relegate a few clubs across the country to make their plan of 12 step 5 leagues a reality. The CCL have been allowed to be lenient with Division One clubs getting the G grade but that period of grace is virtually over. The Kent Invicta League was formed this season at step 6 - their clubs have five years to get the correct grading or else they'll be relegated.

Last season a couple of teams in the top Sussex League division were relegated due to grading issues, I think one team was forced out of the Hellenic Premier Division as well so relegation for not having the correct grading is a reality and not an idle threat.

 

**edit**

You don't have to have turnstiles at steps 5 or 6. You can have a pay box. It's only from step 4 upwards you must have revolving turnstiles.

Edited by VPCTFC
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...