SSML Constitution - 2021/2022

[Rhodes]

The provisional SSML Constitution for the hopefully uninterrupted 2021/2022 campaign, obviously subject to change at this stage, appeals, possible additions to Division Two and final ratification at the SSML AGM on Saturday 26 June:

 

PREMIER DIVISION (20 teams)

Arlesey Town, Aylesbury Vale Dynamos, Baldock Town, Broadfields United, Cockfosters, Crawley Green, Dunstable Town, Flackwell Heath, Hadley, Harefield United, Harpenden Town, Holmer Green, Leighton Town, Leverstock Green, London Colney, Milton Keynes Irish, New Salamis, Oxhey Jets,  Risborough Rangers, Tring Athletic

 

DIVISION ONE (20 teams)

Amersham Town,  Ampthill Town, Bedford, Buckingham Athletic, Burton Park Wanderers, Irchester United, Kidlington Reserves, Langford, Letchworth Garden City Eagles, London Tigers,  Long Crendon, Northampton Sileby Rangers, Penn & Tylers Green, Raunds Town, Rushden & Higham United, Shefford Town & Campton, Stotfold, Thame Rangers, Wellingborough Whitworth, Winslow United

 

DIVISION TWO (13 teams)

Aston Clinton,  Berkhamsted Raiders, Bovingdon, Buckingham United, Codicote, MK Gallacticos, Mursley United, New Bradwell St Peter, Old Bradwell United, Pitstone & Ivinghoe, Sarratt, The 61FC (Luton), Totternhoe, Tring Corinthians AFC

 

https://www.spartansouthmidlandsleague.co.uk/provisional-constitution-for-2021-22-season/

[Karen Browne]

You forgot Berkhamsted Comrades from Division Two

[Rhodes]

Karen  - Thanks, do you know whether there is likely to be any new Club's joining Division Two, Codicote can't be too happy can they not getting their promotion to Step 6:

DIVISION TWO (14 teams)

Aston Clinton,  Berkhamsted Raiders, Berkhamsted Comrades, Bovingdon, Buckingham United, Codicote, MK Gallacticos, Mursley United, New Bradwell St Peter, Old Bradwell United, Pitstone & Ivinghoe, Sarratt, The 61FC (Luton), Totternhoe, Tring Corinthians AFC

[Karen Browne]

Thame Rangers have now become Thame United Reserves

[Rhodes]

Karen - That was my point on another thread as it is still all up in the air at the moment, Biggleswade United, Potton United and Newport Pagnell Town could still be reprieved and remain in the SSML whereas Amersham Town and Harefield United could leave so I'm not sure why you have deleted all the threads relating to the former Club's so soon or at all. Surely you can't be twiddling your thumbs or kicking your heels as there is all your homework to do where new Club's Flackwell Heath, Burton Park Wanderers, Irchester United, Kidlington Reserves, Letchworth Garden City Eagles, Long Crendon, Northampton Sileby Rangers, Penn & Tylers Green, Raunds Town, Rushden & Higham United and Wellingborough Whitworth are concerned, and, to a lesser degree, Hadley, Risborough Rangers, Cockfosters, Holmer Green and Thame United Reserves who have been with us previously.

[Karen Browne]

The Beds FA have approved the League's request to have 18 clubs in Division Two

Therefore the following clubs have been told their request to join has been accepted

DT FC and Eynesbury United to join Division Two.

Further details when known of any other additions

[Rhodes]

Karen - Thanks, that's interesting news, don't DT FC play at Harlow Town's ground, isn't that a bit off the beaten track for the SSML Division Two.

[Rhodes]

I see that, unsurprisingly, Biggleswade United have failed miserably in their always doomed appeal to the FA against the sideways move to the United Counties League next season, here's Club Chairman Guillem Balague trying to put a brave face on but also failing miserably as you can tell he is seething with rage:

Biggleswade United, We're moving to the UCL! Bring it on! (biggleswadeutd.com)

 

[View from the Boundary]

14 minutes ago, Rhodes said:

I see that, unsurprisingly, Biggleswade United have failed miserably in their always doomed appeal to the FA against the sideways move to the United Counties League next season, here's Club Chairman Guillem Balague trying to put a brave face on but also failing miserably as you can tell he is seething with rage:

Biggleswade United, We're moving to the UCL! Bring it on! (biggleswadeutd.com)

 

Seething? He's apoplectic, as you can tell from the permanent smile on his face ?

[Karen Browne]

Newport Pagnell Town post on twitter that their appeal was unsuccessful

[Rhodes]

Karen - Thanks, I assume that Potton United's appeal has gone the same way as Newport Pagnell Town's and Biggleswade United's and also that Harefield United and Amersham Town will remain in the SSML with Flackwell Heath joining us as planned:

[Karen Browne]

Harefield United did not appeal

[Rhodes]

7 hours ago, Karen Browne said:

Harefield United did not appeal

The Club probably felt on hindsight that it was a waste of time to, I'm surprised that Guillem Balague didn't do likewise in order to save face as his appeal was always going to be fruitless.  

[Rhodes]

So is this how the Premier Division will look next season then, the final 'cut':

[britman]

Interesting to note about DT FC.  Will they still be playing their home matches at Harlow Town or are they going to play elsewhere?

[Karen Browne]

DT FC have decided in the light of the Essex Alliance being granted Step 7 status to remain there.

 

Division Two will have 18 clubs however I cannot name the new ones at this point.

[Rhodes]

53 minutes ago, Karen Browne said:

DT FC have decided in the light of the Essex Alliance being granted Step 7 status to remain there

Karen, thanks, that's a lucky escape for us then as Club's like DT FC and Hashtag United make a mockery of football don't they.

Edited June 5, 2021 by Rhodes

[britman]

13 hours ago, Karen Browne said:

DT FC have decided in the light of the Essex Alliance being granted Step 7 status to remain there.

 

Division Two will have 18 clubs however I cannot name the new ones at this point.

Thanks for the clarification Karen.

[Rhodes]

It shows that appeals can be successful, former SSML Club Kings Langley have been moved from the Southern League Premier Division Central to the Premier Division South:

CLUB ALL SET FOR MOVE BACK TO SOUTHERN LEAGUE PREMIER SOUTH

Derby games on the cards for Kings fans

Following the news Kings Langley FC will move in to the South section of the Pitching In Southern League Premier Division at step 3 of the Non-League system, we can provide more details of the move.

Kings Langley FC Director Darren Eliot said: "In 2019 the Club was moved from the South section to the central section, following one season at step 3.

"After two seasons in the Central Division - albeit voided seasons, we looked at the possible return move in to the southern section following the allocations being released by the FA two weeks ago.

"We are extremely grateful to the League Officials for allowing us to make this move and for their understanding of our reasoning.

"The Southern section allows us to play more local matches, against the likes of Chesham United, Beaconsfield Town and Club's in London such as Hendon and Harrow Borough. In the central section we had no Club's within 20 miles of Kings Langley, be it as we were the southern most side in that set-up.

"We now have five in close proximity and we see much reduced travelling costs - despite long trips to the likes of Truro City, Merthyr Town and Tiverton Town.

"We saw this as an opportunity to reduce costs and also create some enticing derby matches for our supporters and those of travelling teams.

"We can now plan in more depth towards the new season, and fully get behind Chris and the players to build on the work over the past two cancelled seasons."

As a result of the move, the South division will total 22 teams, with the central division having 21 teams (this will be bumped up to 22 for the 22-23 season).

Edited June 7, 2021 by Rhodes

[View from the Boundary]

6 hours ago, Rhodes said:

It shows that appeals can be successful, former SSML Club Kings Langley have been moved from the Southern League Premier Division Central to the Premier Division South:

CLUB ALL SET FOR MOVE BACK TO SOUTHERN LEAGUE PREMIER SOUTH

Derby games on the cards for Kings fans

Following the news Kings Langley FC will move in to the South section of the Pitching In Southern League Premier Division at step 3 of the Non-League system, we can provide more details of the move.

Kings Langley FC Director Darren Eliot said: "In 2019 the Club was moved from the South section to the central section, following one season at step 3.

"After two seasons in the Central Division - albeit voided seasons, we looked at the possible return move in to the southern section following the allocations being released by the FA two weeks ago.

"We are extremely grateful to the League Officials for allowing us to make this move and for their understanding of our reasoning.

"The Southern section allows us to play more local matches, against the likes of Chesham United, Beaconsfield Town and Club's in London such as Hendon and Harrow Borough. In the central section we had no Club's within 20 miles of Kings Langley, be it as we were the southern most side in that set-up.

"We now have five in close proximity and we see much reduced travelling costs - despite long trips to the likes of Truro City, Merthyr Town and Tiverton Town.

"We saw this as an opportunity to reduce costs and also create some enticing derby matches for our supporters and those of travelling teams.

"We can now plan in more depth towards the new season, and fully get behind Chris and the players to build on the work over the past two cancelled seasons."

As a result of the move, the South division will total 22 teams, with the central division having 21 teams (this will be bumped up to 22 for the 22-23 season).

Never understood how they decide who goes to the Isthmian and who goes Southern. Northwood in the former, is more northerly than the likes of Hendon, Harrow Borough and Met Police, yet all those clubs are in the Southern. Do clubs get a choice or is it purely geographic at the end of a particular season depending on ups and downs that year? 

Suppose what I'm driving at is how the SSML has been redrawn this year, and the vast potential for similar upheavals year on year for borderline clubs like Oxhey Jets. Isn't it time the FA established clear guidance on this at a county level? All very back of a fag packet as it is at the moment (and was ever thus, but seems worse now than it's ever been).