What is the Solution? (Guernsey fixtures)

[aupostie]

.....and my contribution to the debate?

 

I just want to acknowledge the time and effort the fixture secretary, Alan Constable, has put given in order to get ALL the fixtures for the CCL re-arranged. He has a thankless task and he will not please all the people all the time etc etc but without his work the worse case scenario would be no league and no games played.

 

So thank you Mr Constable, I applaud you.

 

I second that

[Windsor_Sec]

.....and my contribution to the debate?

I just want to acknowledge the time and effort the fixture secretary, Alan Constable, has put given in order to get ALL the fixtures for the CCL re-arranged. He has a thankless task and he will not please all the people all the time etc etc but without his work the worse case scenario would be no league and no games played.

So thank you Mr Constable, I applaud you.

 

Well said John, some sense at last !

 

When Alan returns on Thursday from a well-earned break [Don't forget he's a club secretary as well as CCL secretary] he might just look at all the crap posted on here and say enough is enough and stand aside to let some of the so-called experts take the job on and I wouldn't blame him one little bit.

What he and the management committe have decided to implement to solve the problem has not been done to favour Guernsey or any other club but simply to solve the problems caused by something out of their control ie the weather !

I've said it before but here goes again - each club has to go to Guernsey once [in the league] and each club has plenty of notice to make their arrangements whatever day of the week it is. If any club cannot get a team together for whatever day it is then they should seriously consider whether they should be playing at this level of the non-league pyramid ! That may sound harsh but change the scenario to one whereby you're required to travel to the borders of Scotland for an FA Vase fixture which would invariably mean a minimum of two days away possibly three, do you whinge and moan or get on with it ? Some might say 'Oh that's a one off' and that's exactly my point, so is your trip to Guernsey ! If more clubs focused on the game instead of the free jolly it then becomes nothing more than another league game albeit with different travel arrangements. Too many clubs are green-eyed about the Green Lions but I've seen plenty of clubs like Guernsey over the last 30 years who have ambition and suffer jealousy because of it. They as a club have gone out of their way to accomodate any potential issues with their membership of the league, in fact they've probably gone over the top in what they offer to visiting clubs so deal with it and be thankful as it's not like they've done anything to cause the problems with the weather ?

Having experienced the Isthmian and Southern League's setup I'm amazed at just what great service the officials of the CCL provide to its' member clubs on a voluntary basis only to be slagged off by a minority who think football is just about them and not every club in the league and all I would say to that minority is that if you think you can do the job better than the current incumbents then put yourselves up for election at the next AGM but don't be surprised if you don't get voted in as the clubs in general know what a great job the management committee are doing.

At the end of the season only one club is likely to have suffered the consequences of the wet Winter and that is Guernsey as their forthcoming schedule will surely be too big an obstacle to them finishing in a promotion place but, if they were able to do it, they would only have the utmost admiration from me as they can't just pull in quality players to bolster their squad for what lies ahead unlike the other title challengers who basically have the whole of the South of England to find players from if required.

What will be interesting now is how Egham and Badshot Lea react to the problems Guernsey face. Do they sit with what they've got squad-wise and think they're good enough to claim a promotion place [don't forget there could be two promotion spots this season] or do they splash a bit more cash and bolster their squads to ensure they have good cover when other players are injured/suspended. Either way both clubs must think that Christmas has come around again as they'll never have a better opportunity to finish above Guernsey !

[Big J R]

Lets all just stop griping and assist the League in any way that we can.

 

... Or have a word with God about this terrible wet weather !!

[bobuk]

If Guernsey don't go up this season they are a moral for next season as they would of learnt alot, Egham and Badshot have an unbelievable opportunity but regardless Guernsey still favourites IMO

[Windsor_Sec]

If Guernsey don't go up this season they are a moral for next season as they would of learnt alot, Egham and Badshot have an unbelievable opportunity but regardless Guernsey still favourites IMO

 

I agree with you there bobuk and I'm sure with the very professional setup at Guernsey FC it would surprise me if they didn't already have plans in place for work in the close-season to alleviate the pitch problems. I also still make them favourites but a few key players missing as the season progresses could make all the difference if they can't be replaced.

[bobuk]

 

 

I agree with you there bobuk and I'm sure with the very professional setup at Guernsey FC it would surprise me if they didn't already have plans in place for work in the close-season to alleviate the pitch problems. I also still make them favourites but a few key players missing as the season progresses could make all the difference if they can't be replaced.

 

Would a pitch cover be something they would purchase I wonder?

I know they cost a few quid

 

They are ambitious and want to move through the leagues well this would be money well spent IMO.

[The Mayor Of Simpleton]

Well said John, some sense at last !

 

When Alan returns on Thursday from a well-earned break [Don't forget he's a club secretary as well as CCL secretary] he might just look at all the crap posted on here and say enough is enough and stand aside to let some of the so-called experts take the job on and I wouldn't blame him one little bit.

What he and the management committe have decided to implement to solve the problem has not been done to favour Guernsey or any other club but simply to solve the problems caused by something out of their control ie the weather !

I've said it before but here goes again - each club has to go to Guernsey once [in the league] and each club has plenty of notice to make their arrangements whatever day of the week it is. If any club cannot get a team together for whatever day it is then they should seriously consider whether they should be playing at this level of the non-league pyramid ! That may sound harsh but change the scenario to one whereby you're required to travel to the borders of Scotland for an FA Vase fixture which would invariably mean a minimum of two days away possibly three, do you whinge and moan or get on with it ? Some might say 'Oh that's a one off' and that's exactly my point, so is your trip to Guernsey ! If more clubs focused on the game instead of the free jolly it then becomes nothing more than another league game albeit with different travel arrangements. Too many clubs are green-eyed about the Green Lions but I've seen plenty of clubs like Guernsey over the last 30 years who have ambition and suffer jealousy because of it. They as a club have gone out of their way to accomodate any potential issues with their membership of the league, in fact they've probably gone over the top in what they offer to visiting clubs so deal with it and be thankful as it's not like they've done anything to cause the problems with the weather ?

Having experienced the Isthmian and Southern League's setup I'm amazed at just what great service the officials of the CCL provide to its' member clubs on a voluntary basis only to be slagged off by a minority who think football is just about them and not every club in the league and all I would say to that minority is that if you think you can do the job better than the current incumbents then put yourselves up for election at the next AGM but don't be surprised if you don't get voted in as the clubs in general know what a great job the management committee are doing.

At the end of the season only one club is likely to have suffered the consequences of the wet Winter and that is Guernsey as their forthcoming schedule will surely be too big an obstacle to them finishing in a promotion place but, if they were able to do it, they would only have the utmost admiration from me as they can't just pull in quality players to bolster their squad for what lies ahead unlike the other title challengers who basically have the whole of the South of England to find players from if required.

What will be interesting now is how Egham and Badshot Lea react to the problems Guernsey face. Do they sit with what they've got squad-wise and think they're good enough to claim a promotion place [don't forget there could be two promotion spots this season] or do they splash a bit more cash and bolster their squads to ensure they have good cover when other players are injured/suspended. Either way both clubs must think that Christmas has come around again as they'll never have a better opportunity to finish above Guernsey !

 

I agree 100%

 

The Combined Counties has already lost one good servant recently. I doubt it wants to lose another.

 

If people aren't happy, then stand for election to office.

[no melts]

 

 

I agree 100%

 

The Combined Counties has already lost one good servant recently. I doubt it wants to lose another.

 

If people aren't happy, then stand for election to office.

 

So because he does the job it is right and if you disagree you should stand for the job what a load of bollocks, this situation only helps one team out I'm sure traveling to and from the airport and playing football on a Sunday for your Saturday club is not ideal.

[Krooner]

The problem with the criticism is that a lot of it suggesting slightly less than fair play. If most complaints were as the one made by the guys from Cove that is fair enough but most of the time it is a dig at Guernsey and making suggestions the league pander to them which frankly is rubbish.

 

The fixture sec has to get the fixtures in and if that is the best way then so be it.

[HKP]

Funny how nobody from Guernsey is on here complaining about all these away fixtures this month and then having to give up Friday nights and Sunday afternoons to football? Just bloody get on with it.

 

Oh, if teams don't want to travel then fine, give us the three points and we'll find opposition that do want a game of football.

Edited January 1, 2013 by HKP

[Chubby Brown]

I see the GFC rose-tinted glasses are out again, always think the world is against them!! As said above, look at the bigger picture!!

[@BedfontFeltham]

I see the GFC rose-tinted glasses are out again, always think the world is against them!! As said above, look at the bigger picture!!

Edited January 1, 2013 by @Feltham_fc

[@BedfontFeltham]

Oh and by the way HKP.. Do you get snow in Guernsey??

[Millers]

I appreciate the job Mr Constable does especially given the fact it is voluntary - I also appreciate that the league has been put in a very difficult situation and a solution is needed that wouldn't be to the liking to everyone.

I feel we at Cove (and others who have been affected by this) are justified in our complaints that we weren't consulted over this matter at all and had no idea talks were being held that would affect the day of our game. A generic email after the decisions been made isn't good enough - especially as many of us read it on here first as the time frame between receiving the email and it being made public was not sufficient. This, like many of the other posts, isn't a direct attack on Mr Constable - we are merely pointing at things could of and should have been done better.

Remarks such as we are only upset because we don't get a night out is complete bollocks and disrespectful to the players of this league. As I have previously said we are looking forward to our trip to Guernsey - and that is to showcase our footballing ability not for a jolly up. Despite what some might think us smaller clubs do still try and run things to the best of our ability and preparation is a major factor in that. Getting up at the crack of dawn to travel to Guernsey is not good preparation and does not give us the best possible opportunity to perform at our desired standard. This is why we had planned to come out the day before.

By all accounts Guernsey are aware of some of the issues and are trying to find a solution that benefits all - if so fair play to them for addressing things so quickly

[Dessie]

Over the last few seasons Ive been watching football in the Combined counties league,and after watching hundreds of matches on a Saturday afternoon,or a tuesday or a wednesday evening,I cant remember many games being played on a friday evening,or a sunday afternoon,so imagine my surprise when looking at the Guernsey website and seeing that they have 12 games in March and April that are due to be played either on a friday night, or a sunday afternoon,of which an amazing 10 of these games are at home,surely any side travelling to Guernsey to play on a friday night will be at a disadvantage,Firstly players and officials from these clubs will have to take a day off from there annual holidays to travel, but this isn't always possible with some players who work shift work,then for the players who can travel they will have to drive to Gatwick,then get on a plane to Guernsey,and then get on a coach and travel to the ground before they have to go out and play against a very talented group of players,Also the teams who have to play on a sunday afternoon may lose the services of 1 or 2 of there players as well, again due to work commitments and also commitments to there families,what does everyone else think ?

[bobuk]

They was voted in gotta get on with it now

[HKP]

Oh and by the way HKP.. Do you get snow in Guernsey??

Sometimes, but its usually gone very quickly due to our milder climate.

[HKP]

I see the GFC rose-tinted glasses are out again, always think the world is against them!! As said above, look at the bigger picture!!

If that is aimed at me then, of course I don't think that. Just try and give a little balance to the constant bashing we get on here from a minority.

[HKP]

Dessie, I would assume the delay (which is harder likely to favour GFC) is to give teams as much warning as possble. Would you be happier if teams were given a week or so notice to have to travel on a Friday or Sunday?

[The Mexican]

interesting range of views. For what it's worth I am sure everyone in the game recognises the work of fixture secretaries , that Guernsey have had more than their fair share of poor weather , and to cover another point that we should get on with it because we voted them in. But were they not voted in on the basis that they played home games on a Saturday ? Yes they have a major backlog but why does that mean that the goalposts can be moved like this. Surely Guernsey should have their existing away Saturday fixtures cancelled in order to free those dates up so the initial rules could remain and teams still played away to Guernsey on a Saturday. Without question Fridays and Sundays will affect teams in ways that originally wouldn't have been the case. I cant see a major problem in rearranging any mainland fixtures for usual midweek nights and if Guernsey are affected by playing the majority of there remaining away fixtures in midweek , wouldnt that be reasonable given that it is there pitch which is the main cause of the problem. After all didnt Molesey start the season with away games because of there own pitch issues ?There is probably sound logic for not doing this but I can't think of anything at the moment . For all regular posters please give me your views.