Planning for 13/14 Season.

[Chris Clapham]

I thought all step 5 clubs need lights as from14-15 season or am I wrong

I don't know but if that is the case, we will be pretty low on numbers in division 1 next season!

[Green_Fingers]

Step 5 Clubs have needed lights for a few seasons now. Step 6 Clubs were, under FA instructions issued at the Step 5/6 reorganisation (you remember, the one that only really affected Step 3/4 Clubs) told they must have lights in place for the end of March last year or face automatic relegation. So far that hasn't happened since doing so would decimate CCL Div 1 (& Hellenic Div 1's) - how long can these Divisions can retain Step 6 status whilst including Clubs that don't reach Step 6 ground grading regulations is something only the FA can dictate - in most other parts of the country all Step 6 Clubs already have lights (there are one or two exceptions) 

[Chris Clapham]

....or we could lower the grading level at step 6 to allow appropriate clubs in without lights?

[Green_Fingers]

....or we could lower the grading level at step 6 to allow appropriate clubs in without lights?

 

Highly unlikely Chris - in my opinion more likely the FA will ultimately "consolidate" those with lights at Step 6 and reinforce Step 7 with teams that cannot comply. But you never know with our FA.................................

[Windsor_Sec]

This discussion was had previously a couple of weeks ago on here and Lazarus gave us all the exact details about the FA's memo to leagues regarding possible lateral movement between competitions.  At the time I suggested that Windsor [Hellenic], Wembley [sSML], Croydon [sE Counties], Horley and South Park [both Sussex] are the ones likely to be at most risk in the CCL and of course Alton could get moved back to Wessex again !   

[VPCTFC]

Forced relegation for not having lights (or anything else that's needed for a 'G' grade) in CCL1 only has to happen when the division has 18 teams or more.

 

Promotion from step 7 is under the control of the FA now. Clubs need an 'H' grade which includes floodlights but

a year ago today the FA announced what was needed for step 7 clubs to get promoted last season. Whether they say the same thing or not this season remains to be seen but part of the statement said:

 

"Clubs may be considered for promotion without having floodlights in place however, those clubs without floodlights must comply with the following requirements as at 31 March 2013:

o Planning permission for the provision of floodlights MUST have been approved by the Local Authority
o Evidence provided that funding applications have been submitted
o Evidence provided that the balance of any funding required is in place
o Evidence provided that quotations have been obtained from appropriate contractors
o Provide a copy of an appropriate development/installation plan

• Floodlights MUST be installed and in working order by 30th September 2013. Step 6 competitions would be at liberty to impose a penalty on any Club that failed to comply with this requirement. Clubs that fail to provide floodlights by 31 March 2014 will be classified as a relegated club regardless of their finishing position at the conclusion of Season 2013/2014."

 

Taken from http://www.nwcfl.com/news-articles.php?id=2491

 

 

 

Note that 'classed as a relegated club' and actually being relegated are two separate things. As I said earlier it depends on the number of teams in the division. This rule caused some confusion in the NWCFL last season when the league said their Division 1 champions, Formby, were classed as relegated due to ground grading. Due to being short on numbers they didn't have to send them down though. They weren't allowed promotion either mind.

 

The only thing the FA don't directly control from steps 5 to 7 now are inter-league promotions. CCL 1 still has three promotion places, as have a few other step 6 divisions in England. Some only have two promotion spots though. I can see the FA standardizing this in the future. Whether they'll go for two or three I don't know.

[HTFCSUPPORTER]

This discussion was had previously a couple of weeks ago on here and Lazarus gave us all the exact details about the FA's memo to leagues regarding possible lateral movement between competitions. At the time I suggested that Windsor [Hellenic], Wembley [sSML], Croydon [sE Counties], Horley and South Park [both Sussex] are the ones likely to be at most risk in the CCL and of course Alton could get moved back to Wessex again !

Got to be honest if Horley get moved to Sussex it won't be enjoyable. I've played in that league and never enjoyed any of the games.

[Smudge]

3 more ex CCL Clubs  now join the possible relegation battle North Greenford and Chipstead and Godalming.

[E&E Rich]

I don't think there will be a problem for any Step Seven clubs that pass the eligibility criteria as we are already low on numbers in CCL 1. Our League would probably welcome a few with open arms if they passed the criteria for getting in.

 

It certainly does look as though we are going to be seeing some old faces back in the CCL again next year though. Based on Horley's precarious status and the Sussex League only having 20 clubs, and possibly losing Rye and others to the new Southern Counties East League, it could be that Horley might end up being very grateful to the Sussex League for enabling them to retain their Step Five status.

 

Let me explain further, as if you are relegated you can't just move over to another league as was suggested last season with Sandhurst too. What I mean is that there are still going to be spaces at Step Five even if a few of our former regulars return, so reorganisation may well place Horley (or South Park if they don't go up) over the border into Sussex. Sussex currently have 20 and Kent have 17 so I'm certain that Croydon will finally be forced back there, while Rye (and someone else - can't remember) only survived on a technicality last season and this year the Kent / Sussex paperwork will be in order.