CCL management meeting tonight

[Carthorse]

Not only that but apparently Alton Town have been moved into the CCL from the Wessex League. It's said that none of the clubs or leagues were told about these recent moves and they're only filtering out now after the latest FA meeting last night. If we're getting teams who didn't apply moving in does that mean we're also losing teams to get the Kent League up to 20 clubs? Croydon would be the first obvious example.

 

A very long time since I have been to that Ground

[lazarus]

I can confirm that Alton Town have been moved into the CCL at Step 5 (Premier Division).  We had no idea that this was going to happen (and neither did they).  Fleet Spurs have been refused permission for the time being.

 

Egham and Guernsey have been promoted.

 

Warlingham have resigned.

 

There are no other movements to or from the League.

 

The proposed constitution for next season will be sent to clubs on 27/28 May along with the usual AGM papers.

[bomaya]

So is it CCLP running with 22 and two down leaving CCL1 with just 14?

[Chris Clapham]

So is it CCLP running with 22 and two down leaving CCL1 with just 14?

 

If 2 relegated, div 1 will have 16.

[bomaya]

If 2 relegated, div 1 will have 16.

 

Quite right, I was thinking it was only 16 this season.

[@BedfontFeltham]

16 TEAMS!!!! Is that all

[@BedfontFeltham]

Put will it still mean that the top 3 can go up end of next season???

[Chris Clapham]

Put will it still mean that the top 3 can go up end of next season???

 

Yes if eligible (ground grading etc)

[bomaya]

18.75% chance of promotion if you want it, maybe higher if some grounds aren't good enough.

[E&E Rich]

We played in a 16 team league a few seasons back when the Ryman League couldn't work out what to do with its weakest teams.

 

They put us in a League with Camberley, Chertsey, Brook House (AFC Hayes now) and 12 other teams from Hertfordshire and Essex. They also drew all 16 in four groups of the Associate Members Trophy which was just a filler.

You did get the occasional Saturday off, but at least the season finished in good time

 

You do have quite a few cups available to enter if you want. Apart from the two League Cups there is the County Premier Cup (or Senior Cups still for Sandhurst / Dorking ?) and Southern Combination Cup too, so I'm sure you'll have still plenty of fixtures.

[nosher]

Still the question of what to do with Old Farnboronians and Broadhurst United, assuming it hasn't already been decided. Theoretically, they could come into the Coco One and boost it to 18 or alternatively come in and allow movement at Step 5.

 

We know Rye (albeit pending appeal) and Crowborough have moved eastwards from Sussex to Kent. From the 22 in Sussex One last season, they drop to 20 with those exits. Peacehaven and Redhill have gone thus reducing Sussex further to 18. Guess based on performance, they'll want to relegate both Worthing and Uckfield (who combined only achieved 35 points - the same as Dorking). That would leave them with 16 or four slots assuming the FA are adamant on 20-team Step 5 leagues. Littlehampton, Newhaven and Little Common can all be promoted to Sussex One, leaving one additional slot to fill. Sussex Two will be down to 16 assuming Saltdean are relegated.

 

So we could see a 22/16 or 20/18 split in the Coco whilst Sussex and Kent have splits like 19/16. Would it not make sense for the FA to ensure the South East corner leagues all operate on the same split i.e. 20/16? If they did, the Coco would have to lose one to Kent and Sussex or two to Sussex. We know it won't be Croydon so a transfer to Kent looks unlikely unless it's to be Epsom & Ewell based on their Chipstead location. Cannot see that one happening because fundamentally E&E are a Surrey club. So that leaves Sussex taking two. Who'd write-off Horley going across and Dorking receiving a Step 5 reprieve albeit as part of a league switch?!

 

This does of course ignore Hellenic though they can play with both of their Step 6 divisions and the Wessex but I don't think they promoted anyone so could afford to lose Alton Town to get to 20.

 

Suppose the other question is what's the long-term plan for the Coco? Geographically it's got wider in recent years so is that a sign that the league is deemed to be in good health or is there a longer-term plan to shift it westwards?

 

Wouldn't want to be involved in this and not knowing what league one would be in the following season but great viewing and talking points for the spectator!

Edited May 24, 2013 by nosher

[VPCTFC]

Suppose the other question is what's the long-term plan for the Coco? Geographically it's got wider in recent years so is that a sign that the league is deemed to be in good health or is there a longer-term plan to shift it westwards?

 

 

The league's actually got smaller. Not so long ago it stretched from Oxfordshire (AFC Wallingford) to the Sussex coast (Withdean 2000).

We're currently the smallest step 5 league in geographical terms and the only way I can see the league expanding is westwards into Hellenic territory with that league retreating westwards a bit.

 

As it's now clear the FA are operating pooling at step 5 the next logical step is for them to standardise promotion and relegation between steps 5 and 6. Some step 5 leagues relegate two, some three and one (the Hellenic) four. That's assuming the leagues have their full complement of course which rarely happens now.

It wouldn't surprise me if next season the FA's rules say only two up and down between each step 5 and 6 division. I think that's the amount most leagues around the country choose.

Edited May 24, 2013 by VPCTFC

[Chris Clapham]

http://www.altontownfc.com/news-130524.php

[Powelly1]

As I said on another thread I think this is actually better for Alton in terms of travel time.

[Smudge]

Suggestion why does the CCL not increase it's Premier Division to 24 Teams,like the Ryman have.Any rule to say they cannot?What does marvel me a bit,is Clubs with their own grounds get shafted by the F.A. Maybe Groundsharing Clubs should be the first to be moved,as anywhere is home to them.

[Beano]

Suggestion why does the CCL not increase it's Premier Division to 24 Teams,like the Ryman have.Any rule to say they cannot?

 

Yes, Smudge, there is. As part of their review into Step 5, The FA determined that all of the 14 Step 5 Leagues should have between 20 and 22 teams in them, which is part of the reason for some clubs being moved and some clubs who had applied to switch Leagues being turned down.

[The Mayor Of Simpleton]

If you increased a Step 5 (any Step 5) then you'd have to take extra sides from the corresponding Step 6, and if they are struggling for numbers you are going to weaken that league even more.

 

The Hellenic and Wessex 1st Divisons are going to be skeletal next season, and one suggestion I saw somewhere (which will not be popular with the purists) was for Step 6 leagues to be allowed to cherry pick sides at Step 7 or below which had floodlights and other facilities.  

[Terrence Collina]

the Hellenic have offered promotion to the premier to the side that finished 4th in div 1 east, Bracknell Town to make the prem number up to 20 teams