Eversley & California Reinstated!

[Big J R]

Rambling,nice to meet like minded people,and have a few beers,as well as keeping myself fit.

 

In my younger days used to love Deep Sea Fishing,although gave it a miss,as to be honest it became too pricey.And my catch rate was not very good.

 

And your hobby is?

 

 

....asking questions ??????

[Windsor_Sec]

In my younger days used to love Deep Sea Fishing,although gave it a miss,as to be honest it became too pricey.And my catch rate was not very good.

 

 

 

You get more bites on here and it's free !

[Big J R]

You get more bites on here and it's free !

 

 

.... AND you don't get sea-sick !

 

Edited August 1, 2014 by Big J R

[lazarus]

The League has sent the following statement to all member clubs this evening.  Hopefully it makes the situation concerning Eversley & California FC clear and will end all misinformation. 

 

LEAGUE STATEMENT

 

Earlier this week, the League received an email from the National Leagues Manager, Mike Appleby, advising that the Leagues Committee of the Football Association had instructed that Eversley & California FC were to be re-instated into the Premier Division.

 

No further details were given initially but upon further investigation it seemed that the overriding reason for this instruction was that the Board/Management Committee had made the decision concerning Eversley & California FC without calling an EGM.  However, rule 5.4 of the “Regulations for the Operation of the National L:eague System”, which can be found on page 150 of the new season’s league handbook, shows quite clearly that (only) internal changes to the constitution can be made after the AGM.  There is no stated requirement to call an EGM and neither had the Leagues Manager raised any objection to the League’s decision. 

 

For this reason, plus the fact that in the Board’s view the Club had been unable to fully comply with the grading requirements, it was likely that the League would have appealed against the decision of the Leagues Committee in line with rule 8.2 of the above regulations.  Also, had the League called an EGM, it would have placed Eversley & California FC in limbo for some weeks until the EGM had been held, when of course, there would still have been no guarantee that the Club would then have been voted into the Premier Division.

 

Consultations have taken place with the Club and they have decided that, at this stage, immediately prior to the start of the season, they wish to maintain their preparations for, and play in, Division One this season.  It is anticipated that the Club’s decision will be accepted by the Leagues Committee and thus their Division One matches, including the opening match against CB Hounslow United on Saturday 2 August, will go ahead as planned.

 

The League would like to express its appreciation to Eversley & California FC for the manner in which they have handled this situation and also hope that the initial problem involving the floodlights at the club can be resolved as soon as possible.

[Smudge]

A very poor show from the CCL League that has set back a very Nice Club,years in my opinion,just for the Leagues good name.Ironic that you quote an E.g.m would have left them Eversley, in limbo for weeks,however you have destroyed 3/4 years work put in by hard working individuals  in minutes !!!!! Just to see YOUR League start on time.Will you be compensating them in anyway?

 

Eversley are to be commended for the way they have handled this matter,however with the departure of the Management,and Players en mass,they had no other option,at such short notice. A DISGRACE.

Edited August 1, 2014 by Smudge

[Beano]

"A disgrace"? Really? Well, if you think you can do a better job of managing the competing interests of 40+ clubs, then I suggest you put yourself forward at the next AGM and see how you get on, Mr Eaton.

 

I think that, rather than denigrating the League you should be congratulating them on being open and honest about the situation and informing supporters, as well as Secretaries, as to what has happened. Most Leagues would not do that.

 

The League were caught between a rock and a hard place. If Eversley & California had been allowed to take their place in the Premier Division, but not given a home midweek game until mid-October, other clubs would have complained that they were getting special treatment and people like you would be calling the League Officers "a disgrace" and demanding resignations. By demoting Eversley & California, the League have applied the rules as they stand, which is what they're supposed to do. However, they opened themselves up to criticism because of the timing of what happened which, if the League weren't aware of the planning restrictions, couldn't be avoided. 

 

Clubs have been relegated in the past for far less significant breaches of the grading rules than this and, while an EGM would have been the ideal way of resolving the matter, given the lack of time between the restriction becoming public knowledge and the start of the season, to call one would have caused massive disruption. It would have potentially prevented the season from starting this weekend, which would have got the League even more grief on here.

 

No one would suggest that this has been a positive episode in CCL history but I think Eversley & California deserve great credit for handling it with great dignity and with an eye not just on their own club's long-term development, but the wider interests of their fellow clubs. There are no winners here; I don't think any of the CCL Board would have wanted to relegate the club, but to not do so would have been against the rules. By doing so, they appear to have fallen foul either of the same rules, or an interesting interpretation of them. Similarly, the club have been denied the chance to play at Step 5 (at least for this season) through the naivety or incompetence of their planning agent. After all, their local council would not have added the restriction on the use of the floodlights at the last minute, without telling anyone!

 

Still, this is an internet forum, where the facts should never be allowed to get in the way of a good story! Someone, somewhere, messed up, but it wasn't the CCL. If I was involved at Eversley & California, I'd be contacting whoever assisted the club with the planning application and asking them how they propose to fix it...

 

Hopefully, the club can have their planning permission amended, then a good season on the pitch will get them back into the Premier Division. However, it would be remarkable if that were done by the end of August, so I think, on balance, this outcome is the only way forward. 

[Smudge]

So we are lucky that we even know,well this is 2014 when no one is kept in the dark,the story broke on here did it not?Would we of known if it had not? People like me as you put it,have never knocked a Club in its time of genuine need,Molesey(ground improvements)delayed home fixtures early season.Worcester Park no early home games due to cricket,and many other similar incidents. Neither have any Clubs to my knowledge.

 

However in my short life involved with this level of Football,I cannot recall the F.A.ever overuling a Leagues decision to demote a Club,so therefore they deem it is the CCL'S fault,not Eversleys.

 

Eversley deserve great credit for the way they have let the League of the hook,with dignity of the highest order.Had it been any other Club,maybe they would of played a reserve/junior side in the Premier,and forced the Leagues hand to change their decision.I would of.

 

As for Eversley having a great season on the pitch,I for one doubt it,but hope they do.

 

Mass exodus of Players already signed up for other CCL Clubs,Management Team left.a great start.

Edited August 1, 2014 by Smudge

[Beano]

Smudge, read the statement properly. It says:

"the overriding reason for this instruction was that the Board/Management Committee had made the decision concerning Eversley & California FC without calling an EGM"

What that tells me is not that the Leagues Committee thought that the decision was intrinsically wrong, simply that they were not happy that the correct procedures were followed. However, the Leagues Committee would themselves seem to have not fully taken into account NLS Rule 5.4, which allows the League to make the decision.

 

Most League Secretaries do not engage with supporters in the way Lazarus does on here. The Southern League don't deal with supporters whatsoever - not even with properly constituted bodies like the Hereford United Supporters Trust who are concerned about the viability of the club they follow. If Lazarus took the same attitude towards supporters as many senior Leagues, you would moan about the League not engaging with supporters. He posts a detailed statement and you're still not happy.

 

What would you have done, under the circumstances? I'd love to know. Please "show your working" as they used to say at school, so that we all know which of the League Rules you would have applied to resolve the situation.

[danielpjn]

Just a quick comment.

 

The club didn't appeal the original decision because,although we were disappointed not to be promoted,it was felt the league had made the fairest decision they could.

 

Since the decision,we have re-grouped and we're looking forward to kicking off the season tomorrow.

 

There isn't any bitterness towards the league from those currently involved in the club. An error was made with regards to the planning conditions and we have accepted the punishment and moved on. The application to increase the usage of the floodlights is currently on the hart dc website for comment,so we would appreciate any comments supporting our application.

 

Lastly,I feel the comments directed towards Alan C are extremely harsh. In the 15+ years i have been involved in club administration,he is the most helpful committee member I have come across by some distance. We resolved the current issue, that the FA created, with a couple of emails between the league and the club. There was no animosity and we both appreciated each others help with resolving the issue as quickly as possible.

 

As usual,I'm happy to answer any questions anyone has.

[Smudge]

My eyes are not what they used to be, but cannot find 'the overiding reason for this instruction was that the board/management Committee,had made the decision concerning Eversley and California without calling an EGM,in your original post.

 

So the CCL broke its own rules?but covered by a get out clause. 2 wrongs make a right?,

 

No I am happy that Alan posted,and yes we are lucky to have him. 

 

Can I ask you a question,are you a League Secretary at Ashford Town,as you seem pretty clued up,about what has occurred.

 

Never attended School much,not the brightest star in the SKY.

 

What would I have done in the circumstances? Good question.

 

Alas they would never  of occurred if I had been in charge,the reason being I would hold 2 monthly meetings with all Clubs,advising them of Grants,Ground grading issues,Planning Applications,New Laws etc,where I could see documents such as Planning Applications with my very own eyes,and see that they conformed with what was required,simples.

 

Just being a supporter I am not privy to the League Rules

[Beano]

You won't find the quote from the League Statement in my original post, because I was referring to the statement itself, as posted by Alan.  As I read it, there is no suggestion that the CCL broke their own rules but there would seem to be a difference of opinion between The FA Leagues Committee and the CCL on procedural niceties around an EGM.

 

I am no longer involved in the day-to-day running of Ashford Town (Middlesex) Football Club, although I was for seven and a half years and have been a club official at Isthmian and Southern League clubs for a total of 24 of my 34 years on the planet. I have a degree of experience of dealing with both planning departments and The FA on the club's behalf and I take a keen (almost obsessive) interest in non-league football. 

 

As to not being privy to the rules? Actually, we all are, even supporters, as The FA publish them online. Check these links out:

 

Rules for the Operation of the National League System

The FA Standarised Rules for Leagues at Steps 1-6

 

The first link is for the regulations concerning promotion, relegation, club movement, etc. The second is the basic rulebook for all the Leagues at this level; the basic principles apply right around the country. 

 

The idea of meetings every two months would probably meet with howls of protest by most Secretaries. Given the amount of time they already give to the game, the idea of giving up one evening every eight weeks to go to Imber Court for a gathering that might only take half an hour would fill many with despair. At County FA level, the mood is for less meetings that clubs have to attend, not more. 

[Smudge]

Yeah the beer aint cheap there,nice palatial surroundings though. Dont know why they dont use Molesey,only a stones throw away and cheaper.So you started at 10 years old,as a Club Official,in what capacity?

Edited August 1, 2014 by Smudge

[pauls]

i feel sorry for e&c because of the amount of work and cost put into getting into prem,i feel sorry for tommo a close friend of mine for all the effort/time/cost he has put into getting them promoted then assembling a team for the prem he wont like me saying this but he was in tears when he resigned but i feel anger because the CCL should of helped the club more than they did!!they seem to bend over backwards for certain clubs?? eversly could of kept quiete about the lights and if they had an evening game before they could turn lights on they could of said they blew a transformer and were waiting for parts bur the one question i would like answered by somebody from league is did you actually check the paperwork about the lights when they applied to be promoted??????

[Beano]

This is going to be a bit of a long, off-topic post, but Smudge asked a question, so I'll answer it!

 

When I was ten, I used to help out at my home town club wherever I was needed - chasing footballs, putting out corner flags and so on. By the age of 12, I was on the club committee and contributing to the programme and at 14 I became Reserve Team Secretary before taking on the Programme Editor's job for a while and acting as Press Officer.

 

When I was 18, I was one of several officials to leave that club and was approached by another, a train ride away. I built that club's first ever website, was their Reserve Team Secretary for nearly seven years and was also Assistant Club Secretary and Youth Team Secretary.  I left that club due to work commitments and had a second spell at my original club, as Club Secretary, although I resigned after committee meetings were arranged behind my back and players signed without my knowledge.

 

By this time, I was living in Ashford and went to a game at Short Lane because I'd always enjoyed going there as a visiting official. I was asked whether I would like to get involved and, as my work situation had changed and I missed the involvement, I jumped at the chance and have never regretted it. The only reason I'm not still as involved as I was is that, since joining the club, I have become a father and moved into a very demanding day job. My little girl is 5 now and doesn't want to go to football with daddy, so I don't get to many games. With this in mind, I took a step back from club activities, although I will continue to help on an ad hoc basis where I can. 

[Smudge]

I was a great ballboy once,not at 10 though,I was a slow learner.

 

Was also a Committee Member for 2 meetings at a Ryman Club,asked to many questions of the Committee,asked to not attend again,still to this day do not know why they got rid of me.If only they had listened though,in later years they would not of been wound up.

 

Their are Girls/Ladies Teams,feel that could be your forte in later years.

 

Must say you are one in a million,with your commitment to Non League,maybe the Queen will recognise you with an Honour

[Beano]

Smudge, I'm not "one in a million" at all. There are people like me, and people who have contributed far more than me, all around the game. You'll probably meet loads of them around the CCL this season.  Mr Constable, for instance, has The FA 50 Year Medal for his involvement in football, although I bet sometimes he reads this Forum and wonders why he bothers!

 

That, for me, is the overwhelming sadness of the situation with Eversley & California. No one wins here. The League get masses of grief and look like they're being harsh on a progressive club. The club has tried to develop the ground in the right way, someone, somewhere makes an error when obtaining the planning permission and all the effort - on and off the pitch - comes to naught. I wouldn't blame anyone involved for shedding tears when they found out, because Ashford were held back for years by ground grading issues.

 

You don't have to apply for an internal promotion within each League - only for moves from Step 7 to 6 and Steps 5 to 4, so I can understand why the restriction didn't come to light (as it were) until late in the day. But all the League have done is apply the rules, as written by The FA.

 

Daniel's comment further up the page is superb and I hope that, in the long-term, the club comes back stronger from all this.  

[Smudge]

Mr Nevitt (daniel ) is a true gent.Just hope the planning error was not under his watch,he will be devastated at the outcome.

[Swifty]

As an Ashford Town (Middlesex) fan of 25 years' standing, I will defend Lazarus to the hilt. He's brilliant, apart from the fact he supports QPR and not Brentford. He was noticed almost straight away in senior football as an administrative dream. Alan's taking a lot of flak here which others should have deflected towards them, if at all.

 

Beano's a tough character, and he can sometimes explode, but he's also an admin's man admin man and thorough to the last full stop. How else could Beano have landed his dream job at a County FA? Again, I'll get my shield out for the lad. Take him on, take me on.

 

I know very few facts on the matter, but my understanding (if it's correct) is that E&C thought they could use the floodlights for half this season and the curfew would be lifted after this campaign, then they found out the half-season curfew was permanent. Sadly, that would be unacceptable for step 5 these days. The unavailability of lights for midweek league or FA competition fixtures would have been a very awkward situation all round.

 

I hope Hart District Council see sense and remove the curfew. I also hope Eversley & California find the strength within them to keep going and get the lights situation sorted and win promotion soon. They've acted remarkedly well through all this. I hopped E&C last season and, driveway potholes apart, they're a decent club who've progressed respectfully in recent seasons. Keep the faith.

[Smudge]

Who's taking anyone on? Interesting to know though Swifty, that Beano is no longer a volunteer as such,but a Full time County F.A. Employee,they in my experience are never wrong  Its the League as a whole,that needs shaking up,nowhere in this thread have I criticised your good friend Mr Constable,unless of course he is the CCL?

[Rother]

Hey Smudge serious question for you.

 

What it your hobby ?

Rambling...

Jeez, you're not kidding there.

Edited August 2, 2014 by Rother