So what is wrong with the CCL?

[bomaya]

It seems the majority of clubs in the CCL are happy with the forthcoming changes to Step 5 and will be happy to see the CCL split up. Teams like Wembley/South Kilburn will be in one place, Croydon in another and then the vast chunk split east and west into kinds of CCL/Hellenic and CCL/Sussex hybrids.

 

So will you be happy to leave the CCL behind? Will you miss it? Is there anything that could have been done better over the years? Anything you will remember fondly?

 

Or is the league you are in utterly meaningless? Is it all just about you or the club you are at...and it doesn't really matter to you which league you are in unless you get relegated?!

[Chris Clapham]

It isn't a question of being "happy" Bommie, just a case of getting on with it.

We will miss certain clubs (not all I hasten to add) and look forward to meeting some new ones.

Our biggest concern at present is what to do with our reserve team which brings in almost zero income and costs a lot (for a club like us) to run.

I can see some restructuring re our reserves for the 2012/13 season.

[Krooner]

Yes I will miss the CCL but we have to move on for the good of the pyramid.

 

I will remember many things from the CCL some with my club and some as an official. Top for my club was winning the league cup the first ever league cup in our history.

 

Yes there will be some clubs I will miss and some I will not and do you know what if I miss any of them that much I can still go and watch them play if I so wish !!!!

 

Grow some balls bommie

[The Fan]

would also mean the death of a good forum.

[Krooner]

Now that will be a shame but the clubs who are no longer in the same league as Camberley will not be rid of me that easy.

[NICE GUY]

The CCL administration is very good as far as I am aware, hearing coments from other forumites. I wonder how they would feel ?

 

I for one love the banter and will be very unhappy should the CCL break up. I have spoken to many nice people from their respective clubs, and in general ALL clubs and supporters are very welcoming, this I will miss the most. Then we have the CCL website, that too will be split up with forumites going onto their respective clubs league sites, unless of course you do not represent any club and one is a ground-hopper.

 

Come the day the CCL are split, will be a very sad day !

 

However, on the other hand, I think we all agree that because of regulations which is beyond CCL control, the league has/will become stagnant simply 'cos of the promotion and relegation formalities. Even now in January, 3 months before the end of the season, the Prem seems to be a 2 horse race for that elusive promotion spot unless something drastically happens to the 2 leading clubs. The rest (say top 6 clubs) hope that those 2 clubs fall along the wayside, so they do have something to play for whilst mathamatically impossible, the rest mid-table teams will start going thru' the motions knowing full well they cannot get promoted or relegated.

 

So that leaves us with the relegation battle like every season being the excitement of the CCL Prem, simply 'cos these clubs are fighting for their lives to stay in the division (ie) Mole Valley, Chessington & Hook, Farnham, Colliers Wood, Banstead and Raynes Park Vale have it all to play for to keep out of that relegation zone, that what makes games exciting..

 

With no play-offs for 2nd promotion place, we wonder why the Prem becomes boring at this time of the season !

 

I still think that clubs should play for a ''play-off cup'' to keep the league ''alive'' - we had all this last season, but how else can the Prem remain exciting with clubs having nothing to play for ?

 

So we move on and the thought of visiting new clubs, meeting new people is exciting, providing the facilities are as good as the majority of the CCL Prem clubs.

Edited January 17, 2012 by NICE GUY

[Windsor_Sec]

^{Nobody has ever said there is anything wrong with the CCL but if the FA are to continue to shake-up the Pyramid then there will be casualties. There was nothing wrong with the Athenian, Delphian, Corinthian or Metropolitan leagues either but they all disappeared as change was made for the better in the non-leaue game. I liken the Athenian League of the late 70's to the experience we've had so far this season in the CCL, well-run clubs, friendly people and a good standard of football generally. There's absolutely no reason whatsoever that the new leagues whatever they're called can't be exactly the same, the only difference being that every league winner will have the chance of promotion and although the FA haven't mentioned it yet, playoffs will become part of the equation somehow, thus offering clubs other than Champions the chance of promotion annually.}

 

^{Having been involved as a secretary at both Ryman and Southern League levels who both employ full-time admin staff I'm absolutely amazed at how professionally the volunteer officers of the CCL do their jobs and represent the league and I'm sure many of them will look to fill positions in whatever leagues are the nearest to them when the changes happen.}

^{For a number of years there was a closed-shop as far as entry into the Ryman/Southern Leagues' setup went and that was followed by a similar thing for entry into the Conference and Football League. At least now any ambitious clubs have a clear progression pathway that allows them to find the level they're most comfortable at and these proposed changes will open that pathway even further for clubs wishing to progress from step 5 & 6 and, probably, even step 7 eventually !}

Edited January 17, 2012 by Windsor_Sec

[Big J R]

It isn't a question of being "happy" Bommie, just a case of getting on with it.

We will miss certain clubs (not all I hasten to add) and look forward to meeting some new ones.

Our biggest concern at present is what to do with our reserve team which brings in almost zero income and costs a lot (for a club like us) to run.

I can see some restructuring re our reserves for the 2012/13 season.

 

Exactly, Chris !

[E&E Rich]

I suppose there is one way of keeping the interest a bit longer for many clubs, which would be to start the League Cup later in the season.

 

Many Premier Division clubs have little to play for as we've already discussed, but if the Second round was scheduled for the last Saturday at the end of January (to cater for clubs without lights), then 32 clubs would still have something to look forward to at this stage of the season, with 16 playing say, at the end of February, quarter finals in March and Semis and Final in April? Obviously more League games would have to be played earlier in the season, but I'm sure Alan C is perfectly capable of working that out.

 

I'm not a fan of Nice Guy's playoff cup as it doesn't really mean anything and couldn't even attract sponsorship for that same reason. However, the League Cup is a big event for many clubs and would be well contested.

 

What does everyone else think? Is it worth suggesting at an AGM?

Edited January 17, 2012 by E&E Ed

[Terrence Collina]

thats a decent shout IMO. Should help with those who have the FA Cup/Vase runs to have the missed games rearranged sooner

[jertzee]

I will miss the CCL.

For a start AFCW may not have got going as it did without the CCL invite.

The clubs seem far more friendly than the Ryman clubs, some of whom really didn't want you there except for use as a cash cow.

 

Let's hope that whatever happens the same cameraderie (no, not the ex-Everton player) continues and the clubs thrive in whatever league they end up in.

Edited January 17, 2012 by jertzee

[Chris Clapham]

Have to say Jertzee that some Ryman clubs I have visited with CCL sides really look down their noses on their "lower" opposition!

That's why I can't wait for two clubs, inparticular, to get relegated!

One is an ex CCL club!

I have been to many Sussex League clubs and I cannot remember a bad experience at any of them.

[bomaya]

Have to say Jertzee that some Ryman clubs I have visited with CCL sides really look down their noses on their "lower" opposition!

That's why I can't wait for two clubs, inparticular, to get relegated!

One is an ex CCL club!

 

Oh?

[Smudge]

Nothing at all wrong with the C.C.L.in fact it is the only League with an appropriate name.Clubs are the downfall,because they only look after their best interests,not the wider picture.Why do you think Hanworth Villa,South Park,Worcester Park ,Molesey are having great success,because the are true Community Clubs,where their facilities are used to a maximum.Not 14 junior teams whose parents never step inside the Clubhouse or even watch 1st Team games.Even Reserve sides are a drain on most Clubs,few spectators,and Players who only use the facilities when their playing,and never buy a drink.Interestingly out of the 7 Clubs who went to Thurrock,3 were Clubs who groundshare at great expense to themselves.They cared in Fact Richard Lambert has informed you all of what went on because he cares.

[Krooner]

Or perhaps the clubs believe that this could be the best way forward for the majoirty. Because they dont agree with you smudge doesnt mean they are wrong.

[NICE GUY]

I suppose there is one way of keeping the interest a bit longer for many clubs, which would be to start the League Cup later in the season.

 

Many Premier Division clubs have little to play for as we've already discussed, but if the Second round was scheduled for the last Saturday at the end of January (to cater for clubs without lights), then 32 clubs would still have something to look forward to at this stage of the season, with 16 playing say, at the end of February, quarter finals in March and Semis and Final in April? Obviously more League games would have to be played earlier in the season, but I'm sure Alan C is perfectly capable of working that out.

 

I'm not a fan of Nice Guy's playoff cup as it doesn't really mean anything and couldn't even attract sponsorship for that same reason. However, the League Cup is a big event for many clubs and would be well contested.

 

What does everyone else think? Is it worth suggesting at an AGM?

 

 

 

E&E Ed the ''Play-off Cup'' was just simply a name given, it could be called anything. Its not by concidence that the last 3 seasons that I've seen CCL football, we are still mentioning the same subject. Its a fact that the CCL Prem needs to be livened up in some form otherwise, some players in that mid-table section couldn't give a damn and make excuses not to play, giving managers a headache seeing more players making themselves unavailable, especially when the weather gets warmer, thus he has to put out a poorer team, get beat which pi**es off other players who then follows suit, its a joke and unfair on the manager.....and please don't tell me this does not go on 'cos it does !

 

If players have something to play for they will make themselves available as opposed to going a weekend beano for example ! But will one cup fixture be enough especially if they lose. My thoughts is a play-off style where there are more games for players to be interested in.......! Is this subject ever discussed at the leagues AGM ?

[Weeble]

Agree NG That would mean that relegation would have to happen ... and why not????

[Smudge]

The CCL administration is very good as far as I am aware, hearing coments from other forumites. I wonder how they would feel ?

 

I for one love the banter and will be very unhappy should the CCL break up. I have spoken to many nice people from their respective clubs, and in general ALL clubs and supporters are very welcoming, this I will miss the most. Then we have the CCL website, that too will be split up with forumites going onto their respective clubs league sites, unless of course you do not represent any club and one is a ground-hopper.

 

Come the day the CCL are split, will be a very sad day !

 

However, on the other hand, I think we all agree that because of regulations which is beyond CCL control, the league has/will become stagnant simply 'cos of the promotion and relegation formalities. Even now in January, 3 months before the end of the season, the Prem seems to be a 2 horse race for that elusive promotion spot unless something drastically happens to the 2 leading clubs. The rest (say top 6 clubs) hope that those 2 clubs fall along the wayside, so they do have something to play for whilst mathamatically impossible, the rest mid-table teams will start going thru' the motions knowing full well they cannot get promoted or relegated.

 

So that leaves us with the relegation battle like every season being the excitement of the CCL Prem, simply 'cos these clubs are fighting for their lives to stay in the division (ie) Mole Valley, Chessington & Hook, Farnham, Colliers Wood, Banstead and Raynes Park Vale have it all to play for to keep out of that relegation zone, that what makes games exciting..

 

With no play-offs for 2nd promotion place, we wonder why the Prem becomes boring at this time of the season !

 

I still think that clubs should play for a ''play-off cup'' to keep the league ''alive'' - we had all this last season, but how else can the Prem remain exciting with clubs having nothing to play for ?

 

So we move on and the thought of visiting new clubs, meeting new people is exciting, providing the facilities are as good as the majority of the CCL Prem clubs.

 

Other Leagues websites? Sussex,Kent,Hellenic,Rymans even,dead as dodo's.SSML lively though,so might take an interest in Wembley.

[missunderstood]

Many potential supporters who don't follow non league football don't have a clue about how the pyramid works (or even know it exists). If the new leagues give greater prominence to what level their clubs are playing at, and how many years they are from football league status, then it might just be the type of information to attract new fans.

[Smudge]

Funny enough nor do the F.A. Suspensions stop at Ryman Level on their site.Be suprised if most knew that the C.C.L even exists.