Will We be back going to watch football in December?

[GRS67]

17 minutes ago, Rhodes said:

Credit to the always well run Combined Counties League who will happily resume from this Saturday (5 December) with 'as full a programme as possible', Club's had been given the option by the League of opting out of playing home matches in December however only 2 of the League's 39 Club's have taken that option, it's a shame SSML Club's don't see it the same way and don't just want to roll up their sleeves:

League Resumption - The Cherry Red Records Combined Counties Football League (pitchero.com)

Any news re the SSML resuming? I heard it'll be the 12th for league games but not seen anything officially mentioned yet.

Why is the SSML always slow to give out information when other leagues seem more pro active! 

[Rhodes]

The latest dressing room guidance, who is it who actually makes up all this stuff, is it just one person, it says, for example, 'team talks should not take place in dressing rooms under any circumstances' but it doesn't say where else they are supposed to take place: 

[Rhodes]

3 minutes ago, GRS67 said:

Why is the SSML always slow to give out information when other leagues seem more pro active! 

Karen - You're on, it does all seem a bit woolly at the moment, unlike with the Combined Counties League who have just grabbed the bull by the horns

[Karen Browne]

The SSML have held meetings with all Premier Division and Division One clubs over the past two nights. Tonight they will listen to what Division Two clubs have to say.

On the agenda are

Listen to clubs views on latest guidelines following the return to the tier system after lockdown

Get each club to give a date when they feel happy about playing again

Do clubs want midweek games

Discussion on kicking off at 2.00pm providing both clubs are in agreement

 

Announcement regarding outcomes from meetings should be issued on Friday 

[Savagebee]

5 hours ago, Rhodes said:

Credit to the always well run Combined Counties League who will happily resume from this Saturday (5 December) with 'as full a programme as possible', Club's had been given the option by the League of opting out of playing home matches in December however only 2 of the League's 39 Club's have taken that option, it's a shame SSML Club's don't see it the same way and don't just want to roll up their sleeves:

League Resumption - The Cherry Red Records Combined Counties Football League (pitchero.com)

Yep agree.

But with all of this bad weather there still might not be any games on this Saturday ?

[Savagebee]

5 hours ago, Rhodes said:

The latest dressing room guidance, who is it who actually makes up all this stuff, is it just one person, it says, for example, 'team talks should not take place in dressing rooms under any circumstances' but it doesn't say where else they are supposed to take place: 

Yep it's madness but some people just don't seem to question any of it and just go about acting like damn Sheep which worrys me more ?

[GRS67]

7 hours ago, Karen Browne said:

The SSML have held meetings with all Premier Division and Division One clubs over the past two nights. Tonight they will listen to what Division Two clubs have to say.

On the agenda are

Listen to clubs views on latest guidelines following the return to the tier system after lockdown

Get each club to give a date when they feel happy about playing again

Do clubs want midweek games

Discussion on kicking off at 2.00pm providing both clubs are in agreement

 

Announcement regarding outcomes from meetings should be issued on Friday 

Thanks for the update ?

[Karen Browne]

10 hours ago, Karen Browne said:

Announcement regarding outcomes from meetings should be issued on Friday 

Announcement to be made afternoon/early evening on Friday

[GRS67]

12 hours ago, Karen Browne said:

Announcement to be made afternoon/early evening on Friday

Look forward to it 

[Rhodes]

4 minutes ago, GRS67 said:

Look forward to it 

GRS67 - Well it will just be a one liner from Karen won't it, if that, saying whether we will be starting any time soon and, if so, when

[GRS67]

2 hours ago, Rhodes said:

GRS67 - Well it will just be a one liner from Karen won't it, if that, saying whether we will be starting any time soon and, if so, when

True lol 

[Karen Browne]

2 hours ago, Rhodes said:

GRS67 - Well it will just be a one liner from Karen won't it, if that, saying whether we will be starting any time soon and, if so, when

I think I might shock you and give you two lines of prose

[Karen Browne]

League Statement

 

Dear Colleagues

 

I am writing following the three emergency Divisional Meetings that took place earlier this week. These were arranged to find out from clubs their current situation following the ending of the second national lockdown and the new Tier arrangements for England.

 

The League wishes to express its thanks to all clubs who have been working hard to keep going in these very difficult times.

 

The League has considered all the points raised by clubs and the decisions we have made about restarting football have been based upon the answers clubs have given us about their wish to restart or not and the date they would be willing to play their first league match.

 

The overriding principle we have adopted is that clubs do not go out of business and withdraw from the League. The integrity of the League and the clubs in it is the top priority.

 

Premier Division

The Premier Division will restart on the 12^th December with Saturday fixtures, except for those clubs who indicated they could not restart for financial reasons.

There will not be any midweek games until the end of December and then this will be reviewed. However, if some clubs wish to play midweek matches between the 12^th and 30^th December, they should contact the fixture Secretary Karen Browne to see if fixtures can be arranged.

 

Division 1

Saturday fixtures will restart on the 12^th December, except for those clubs who indicated they wished to restart on the 19^th December.

There will be no midweek fixtures until February 1^st 2021.

 

Division 2

Saturday fixtures will restart on the 12^th December, except for 2 clubs who did not want to start for financial reasons.

These arrangements detailed above will be reviewed immediately following the first and second governmental review of the national Tier system on the 16^th and 30^th December respectively.

 

Saturday Kick-Off times

By mutual agreement between clubs matches in the Premier Division and Division 1 can start at 2pm instead of 3pm.

 

 

 

Half-Time Interval

For all divisions, the half-time interval will be reduced to 10 minutes instead of 15 minutes. This is for health and safety reasons recognising that the shorter time players and management spend in a dressing room(s) in a confined space reduces the risk of infection. This also recognises the onset of colder and wetter weather during the winter months and the increasing difficulty of restricting the number of persons in dressing rooms at any one time. This does not replace any measures clubs have included in their risk assessments and match-day procedures for dressing room(s) occupation, but recognises the difficulty of compliance.

 

Match Officials’ Fees

The League has considered requests by clubs to reduce match fees, but has decided that they will remain as they are.

 

Covid 19 Compliance

Following representations from clubs, the League has decided to rescind the charges brought against clubs for failure to comply with the technical area directive in early November. The League also decided that in future, where a club was reported for non- compliance and this was proven, a warning letter would be sent. If there was a second case on non-compliance then that club would be charged. The club will of course be able to answer the charge and ask for mitigation to be considered.  It is important that clubs continue to stick to their risk assessments, match-day procedures and meeting the League directive on Technical Areas.

If you have any questions or you want clarification on any of the above, please contact me or Tony Weight the Vice-Chairman.

Best Wishes

 

Pat Burns

Chairman

[Winslow Boy]

Step 3 & 4 are not resuming I hear.

Imagine there are a few south mids managers busy on the phone. 

[Savagebee]

1 hour ago, Winslow Boy said:

Step 3 & 4 are not resuming I hear.

Imagine there are a few south mids managers busy on the phone. 

On the ⚽ as normal WB ?

Let's get on with it now ?

I'm watching two very local games tomorrow it's gonna be cold but it's going to be great and I'm gonna enjoy the fresh air ?

Saturday is not Saturday without ⚽

#Getoutthere

[Savagebee]

The Southern, Isthmian & Northern Premier leagues will issue another statement at 6pm today.

At 6PM we have another- far more detailed- statement which deals with our Trident Leagues covid shutdown. It also shows voting margins following club consultation earlier this week. And it's ready to go, so it WILL be here at 6.

[Winslow Boy]

1 hour ago, Savagebee said:

On the ⚽ as normal WB ?

Let's get on with it now ?

I'm watching two very local games tomorrow it's gonna be cold but it's going to be great and I'm gonna enjoy the fresh air ?

Saturday is not Saturday without ⚽

#Getoutthere

How many games are going to survive the weather is the next question. 

[Savagebee]

10 minutes ago, Winslow Boy said:

How many games are going to survive the weather is the next question. 

Yep that will be the next obstical for footy. 

Dec, Jan, Feb and even March will/could be interesting weather wise.

I'm hearing seasons can go up to the 28th of May now.

3 hours ago, Winslow Boy said:

Step 3 & 4 are not resuming I hear.

Imagine there are a few south mids managers busy on the phone. 

Season 2020/21 Restart - Full Statement

Following the statement issued by the Isthmian, Northern Premier and Southern Football Leagues yesterday, further clarification can now be given in relation to the voting following the Zoom meetings held by all 3 Trident Leagues with their Member Clubs to discuss the impact of the raising of the lockdown on 2nd December.

There were 224 Clubs voting across the 3 Leagues and of these 172 agreed with the proposition to continue the pause in fixtures, 51 disagreed and there was 1 abstention. Broken down by League, 57 Clubs in the Northern Premier League voted to agree with 4 disagreeing, 68 Clubs in the Southern League agreed with 14 disagreeing and in the Isthmian League it was much closer with 47 Clubs agreeing, 33 disagreeing and 1 abstention.

The “Agree” vote was therefore 76% and it has been agreed that the three Leagues will not sanction fixtures at this time.

It is intended that the situation is kept under review in line with Government review on the Tier allocations and restrictions. Accordingly, the next review is set for 16 December and then 30 December. It is the hope of all the Leagues that a date in January can be set for a return to fixtures with Clubs who wish being allowed to play before that date but this will not be until there is a change in the Tiers and/or some progress in the funding of the Clubs at this level.

The Government has allocated £25m to Sport England to fund Steps 1 to 6 of the National Leagues System, of which £14m is set for Steps 3-6 but is heavily weighted in favour of loans, not grants. The FA is working tirelessly with DCMS and Sport England to have the funding presented as Grants. However, these negotiations take time, and it is not expected to have an answer or clarification of details of even the loans until mid-January.

The deep concern of all involved in the NLS is that circumstances may mean that it is not possible to conclude the current format of competition in a manner in which promotion and relegation can be achieved throughout the whole pyramid with Step 2 being brought up to 48 Clubs and Step 4 brought up to 240 Clubs.

If, therefore, no progress is made by the Government on the Tiers in either of the two December reviews, it is the intention of the Alliance Committee to circulate those concerned with a survey to gather the views of the Clubs as how best to finish the season. Options will include an alternative format competition and extending the season possibly into June 2021. However the implications of all such proposals will involve the cost of players contracts and the ability of some clubs to continue playing because of other issues of grounds and the need to prepare grass pitches for the following season.

The Leagues are mindful of the needs of all Clubs and are striving to find a solution which is fair to all.

ENDS

Edited December 4, 2020 by Savagebee

[GRS67]

3 hours ago, Winslow Boy said:

Step 3 & 4 are not resuming I hear.

Imagine there are a few south mids managers busy on 

On this occasion it's good to see the SSML coming out with common sense.. Let the games commence! 

Edited December 4, 2020 by GRS67

[GRS67]

4 hours ago, Karen Browne said:

League Statement

 

Dear Colleagues

 

I am writing following the three emergency Divisional Meetings that took place earlier this week. These were arranged to find out from clubs their current situation following the ending of the second national lockdown and the new Tier arrangements for England.

 

The League wishes to express its thanks to all clubs who have been working hard to keep going in these very difficult times.

 

The League has considered all the points raised by clubs and the decisions we have made about restarting football have been based upon the answers clubs have given us about their wish to restart or not and the date they would be willing to play their first league match.

 

The overriding principle we have adopted is that clubs do not go out of business and withdraw from the League. The integrity of the League and the clubs in it is the top priority.

 

Premier Division

The Premier Division will restart on the 12^th December with Saturday fixtures, except for those clubs who indicated they could not restart for financial reasons.

There will not be any midweek games until the end of December and then this will be reviewed. However, if some clubs wish to play midweek matches between the 12^th and 30^th December, they should contact the fixture Secretary Karen Browne to see if fixtures can be arranged.

 

Division 1

Saturday fixtures will restart on the 12^th December, except for those clubs who indicated they wished to restart on the 19^th December.

There will be no midweek fixtures until February 1^st 2021.

 

Division 2

Saturday fixtures will restart on the 12^th December, except for 2 clubs who did not want to start for financial reasons.

These arrangements detailed above will be reviewed immediately following the first and second governmental review of the national Tier system on the 16^th and 30^th December respectively.

 

Saturday Kick-Off times

By mutual agreement between clubs matches in the Premier Division and Division 1 can start at 2pm instead of 3pm.

 

 

 

Half-Time Interval

For all divisions, the half-time interval will be reduced to 10 minutes instead of 15 minutes. This is for health and safety reasons recognising that the shorter time players and management spend in a dressing room(s) in a confined space reduces the risk of infection. This also recognises the onset of colder and wetter weather during the winter months and the increasing difficulty of restricting the number of persons in dressing rooms at any one time. This does not replace any measures clubs have included in their risk assessments and match-day procedures for dressing room(s) occupation, but recognises the difficulty of compliance.

 

Match Officials’ Fees

The League has considered requests by clubs to reduce match fees, but has decided that they will remain as they are.

 

Covid 19 Compliance

Following representations from clubs, the League has decided to rescind the charges brought against clubs for failure to comply with the technical area directive in early November. The League also decided that in future, where a club was reported for non- compliance and this was proven, a warning letter would be sent. If there was a second case on non-compliance then that club would be charged. The club will of course be able to answer the charge and ask for mitigation to be considered.  It is important that clubs continue to stick to their risk assessments, match-day procedures and meeting the League directive on Technical Areas.

If you have any questions or you want clarification on any of the above, please contact me or Tony Weight the Vice-Chairman.

Best Wishes

 

Pat Burns

Chairman

Well written statement, glad to see common sense has prevailed and the season can resume. 

 

Will there be a statement with regards to which if any clubs have opted out?