League Cup....

[Football Man]

It would seem to me that LeagueChairman has not used this forum for quite some time now, and certainly stopped appearing well before any criticism of the League fixtures started up. Perhaps he has decided that it is not worth commenting on here anymore? It is rare for somebody in such a position to be prepared to be open and honest to the ordinary supporter on a forum such as this and I would guess that he has probably decided it isn't worth the stick he was getting from some of the more brainless "supporters" on here.

 

Speaking of brainless, why do some of you think that you can arrange the fixtures better than somebody who has many years experience of producing them for both the ESL and the Essex & Herts Combination? Did any of those complaining put themselves up for election as Fixture Secretary at the ESL's AGM? If not, what right do you have to challenge the fixtures when they are produced? LL has been doing the job long enough to know the pitfalls and also knows that it is best to get as many fixtures played in the early weeks when the weather is good and the county cups haven't started yet. Occasionally, things may backfire and one or two sides may finish their season earlier than they would like, but surely this is better than playing every other day trying to squeeze in a backlog of fixtures towards the end of the season? You would sure be moaning then!

 

As for PinotGrigiot's gripe about Romford having no game on the opening day, there are 15 teams in the ESL which means that there will always be at least one that can't play a League match on any given Saturday. Why should Romford be considered too important to be left out on the opening day?

[Pavagrotti]

It is a shame if our Chairman feels unable to come on here as I have a lot of time for him. I enjoy his contributions. This site will be the weaker without him.

 

There are times when a Chairman must be impartial and not comment on the workings of his team. He might for all we know ask private questions behind the scenes that we are quite rightly not privy to. As open government goes I think Sir Bob does his best - lets not hound him off his own web pages asking him questions he feels it would inappropriate to answer at that time.

 

I'll start the bring back Sir Bob campaign! We want Robert....

 

 

[coupwotcoup]

Is it brainless to advocate change? This has been the problem with non-league football for decades. Yes it is/has been run by the traditional '57 old farts' who have been sh*t-scared of being pushed from their ivory tower. This season's re-structuring is a start, but they (The FA) could have gone the whole hog and revamped all the levels.

Hang on a minute, we have a 28-game league season, and with the majority of the ESL clubs unlikely to go that far in county cups let alone national competitions, this will undoubtedly end up with blank Saturdays. There is plenty of software on the planet these days to iron out these problems.

As for the weather, yes we live in a temperate climate and winters can be changeable. But hey, isn't that the fun of football and how many ESL clubs have been forced into playing three games a week at the tail-end of the season?

Finally yes I do believe Romford are too important to be left out of the first round of fixtures. Surely the idea is to promote this league and that is helped by good attendances. Enfield Town v Romford first game of the season would see a bumper crowd...Southend Manor v Brentwood Town and London APSA v Sawbo will not.

 

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[Guest]

I disagree, the 'big' games shouldn't be played in August. Due to people being on holiday the gates are likely to be disappointing.

 

As somebody said previously, this is a 15 team league so someone must have a blank Saturday. What's the problem? I for one would not have complained had Enfield Town not been playing. Especially with the fine weather we are experiencing!

[Jim Cunneen]

sooner the whole thing is sorted out and we all find ourselves in leagues with 40 or 423 fixtures the better. Manufacturing league cup ties is not the solution, and looking at attendences the public are not that keen either.

 

I accept that leagues have traditions but if some disappear but stronger leagues grow from that then so much the better.

 

 

[Guest]

423 fixtures! Perhaps Romford would like a season with that many games? No blank Saturdays or season ending in March that way!

[Colin, Germany]

Romford have more time to get ready for the season, and avoid a Saturday which may not turn out to pull in the highest gates. I do not think that Romford have been disadvantaged.