How would you improve the league?

[thecoldend]

Everyone that know's me knows I love the SSMFL but it could be improved. I thought I'd start a discussion about how it could be improved by suggesting what I think would make it better -

 

1) I would scrap extra-time in the Challenge Trophy and Divisional Cups. 90 minutes and then if it's a draw go straight to PKs. The Ryman League have done this with the League Cup and it has been successful with many clubs already probably playing too much football.

 

2) I would definitely have three up/three down from the Premier Division/First Division....before you ask I am not a Hoddesdon Town fan!! As it stands at present I would have the top two in Divison One up and then play-offs for the third place. So you'd have Hoddy Town (3rd) v Kings Langley (6th) and then Crawley Green (4th) v Bedford (5th) in the semi's with the final at the home of the highest placed club. London Tigers would be the unlucky team this season.

 

3) Slightly controversial but maybe scrap Division Two and allow the teams back into their county leagues. Just an idea at present remember but I think it would be beneficial to the teams in the long run financially? Broxbourne Borough would of been placed in the Herts County League this season and played teams local to them (Cuffley/Wormley Rovers/Hinton) and not the Milton Keynes and surrounding area sides? Likewise the MK clubs would play clubs closer to them. Just an idea???

 

4) Groundhopper days maybe? Two or three feature games a year that kick-off at 12pm on a Saturday to attract more fans to the grounds that would have the chance to go onto another game at 3pm. Produce a special programme for the games.

 

5) Another idea to save money for clubs is that in the winter months kick off Saturday games at 2pm so they don't have to use the floodlights which is costly especially with only 20-50 people watching?

 

Just some ideas??? What do people think? Any other ideas?

[Munchkin]

On point 3, for MK clubs it would be a drop in level. The Herts county league is the same level as Div 2, whereas North bucks is not.

 

I like point 2, but I'm sure not all clubs have the facilities to be promoted (correct me if I'm wrong) so what happens if a team wins the play off but can't go up?

Edited April 28, 2013 by Munchkin

[No13]

I agree scrapping extra time in midweek Cup games as the time some of the clubs who've travelled get home is pretty extreme.

If the SSML did decide though on a 3 up 3 down, and introduced play offs, I'd rather see 3rd to 5th in Division One joined by third bottom in the Prem, at least that club gets a chance of a reprieve.

As for scrapping Division 2 agree with Munchkin, the Herts County League probably has a lot more going for it say that the North Bucks League.

Look at AFC Dunstable, Hadley, both came from Division 2 so a little unfair on the clubs there at present to want to abolish it

[thecoldend]

Good point re North Bucks League...I don't know much about footy in that neck of the woods... just an idea??

[Munchkin]

I can see your point to an extent and it is even more valid for the Hertfordshire teams. Although, I think it is harder to win the Herts county prem, both Hadley and Wodson Park moved to south mids in what I can only assume was a tactical move to gain promotion. There just isn't anything similar to the herts county league in the Mk or Aylesbury areas.

 

Agree with removing the extra time in cups. Reduces playing minutes and could also increase the amount of upsets.

[A.nonymous]

I wouldn't agree with the 2pm kick offs. I think it is a pleasure to play under lights and I think spectators enjoy it on a Saturday afternoon as well. That's just my opinion.

[thecoldend]

I agree. Footy under lights does have a certain magic to it but just thinking of the costs involved?

[Liam Errington]

I think the play offs idea for div1 should definately be introduced. Keep up the good footage next season coldend. Thanks for the games u did this season for us at codicote

[A.nonymous]

If the clubs wanted to save money they wouldn't play at this level

[Uncle T]

Play offs but the best placed team to have home advantage through out. League points are then rewarded. Get rid of sock tape, 18 or 20 teams in the premier division, less mid week games. Let all 5 subs play not 3 from 5. Stop the players leaving the field after treatment, it wastes time.

 

No programmes just a team sheet, no one buys them. Two cautions should not be a send off only a suspension.

[A.nonymous]

Play offs but the best placed team to have home advantage through out. League points are then rewarded. Get rid of sock tape, 18 or 20 teams in the premier division, less mid week games. Let all 5 subs play not 3 from 5. Stop the players leaving the field after treatment, it wastes time.

 

No programmes just a team sheet, no one buys them. Two cautions should not be a send off only a suspension.

 

Sock tape, whats wrong with it? Players leaving pitch after treatment is a FIFA Law of the Game, take it up with them

[Munchkin]

I think he means it having to match the socks.

 

Agree with the programmes, completely pointless unless you have 50 anoraks turn up!

[thecoldend]

No programmes!!! Controversial...I dropped my flask in shock.

[A.nonymous]

I think he means it having to match the socks.

 

Agree with the programmes, completely pointless unless you have 50 anoraks turn up!

 

Also coming from a referee point of view from me. Now don't get me wrong i think the whole sock tape thing at times makes no sense. For example, how many places sell green tape for us to use/ Teams with black or white socks will find this easy. Our kit also includes white, I believe we should therefore be entitled to wear white tape if green isn't available. I don't agree with for example a red sock being taped with green tape. 

 

Programmes are good in my opinion. Some clubs have very good programmes, others not so good. Depends how much money you wish to spend on it

[transitionperiod]

Matching tape for socks is a joke along with having to match under garments to kit.

 

Programmes should be at the discretion of the club, not because the league has struck up a ball deal and they need you to advertise it. 

 

The entire committee of the Spartan League need to be more flexible with teams rather than looking to fine them for the smallest indiscretion, for example, a late team sheet for a 7.30pm kick off when the team has to travel around the M25 after a days work. A bit of common sense would be appreciated. A lot of teams struggle to run their clubs due to the amount of money it costs throughout the year in bills and even man power, not everyone can have a sugar daddy to pay for everything. Grants do help but arent always readily available.

 

Finally how about some acknowledgement for the amount of time volunteers put in providing football in their community? They're not robots, the majority work all year round (even when the season has finished), have full time jobs, put their hands in their pockets to help their clubs and are probably arguing all the time with their loved ones.

[petethegreek]

No programmes!!! Controversial...I dropped my flask in shock.

 

Imagine how this would go down at Hoddesdon Town. 

[A.nonymous]

Matching tape for socks is a joke along with having to match under garments to kit.

 

Programmes should be at the discretion of the club, not because the league has struck up a ball deal and they need you to advertise it. 

 

The entire committee of the Spartan League need to be more flexible with teams rather than looking to fine them for the smallest indiscretion, for example, a late team sheet for a 7.30pm kick off when the team has to travel around the M25 after a days work. A bit of common sense would be appreciated. A lot of teams struggle to run their clubs due to the amount of money it costs throughout the year in bills and even man power, not everyone can have a sugar daddy to pay for everything. Grants do help but arent always readily available.

 

Finally how about some acknowledgement for the amount of time volunteers put in providing football in their community? They're not robots, the majority work all year round (even when the season has finished), have full time jobs, put their hands in their pockets to help their clubs and are probably arguing all the time with their loved ones.

 

Totally agree with the flexibility. We played London Colney away this season, and on the evening of the game near Wycombe there was an incident on the M40 delaying a number of players. Game kicking off 7.45, our players and kit turned up at 7.30. The referee would not allow us a delay in the kick off, yet when we played Colney Heath at home on a Saturday, they somehow managed to get a delay due to a number of players being caught up. Sense?

[Krooner]

Good thread with some interesting points in there.  I like the idea of scrapping Extra Time for Cup games.

[Munchkin]

I would like to see division 2 start at the same time as the others rather than the shambles we've had this season. Also use the early season light to play some midweeks games reducing the impact of late season congestion. If the size of the league is an issue there is scope to introduce an invitational cup or even change the division 2 cup to a group formation.

 

I also think all divisions (except reserves) should have fixtures mapped out for the season earlier. Give free weekends initially for early cup rounds. Then manage on an adhoc basis.

[Karen Browne]

Premier, Division One and Division Two will have their full list of fixtures at the start of the season