Conference Division Two - Part II

[Rob_the_Saint]

Here's some more info and quotes from those nice people at www.pyramidfootball.co.uk ...including one from that chap who used to drive the red tractor!

 

The Nationwide Conference board has approved a rule change which will allow expansion of the current set-up to as many as 66 Conference clubs (22 Full Members and up to 44 Associate Members) from the start of next season, allowing formation of one or more other divisions.

 

All 69 Premier clubs in three feeder leagues (Ryman, Dr Martens, and Unibond Leagues) have been invited to apply for membership. If enough clubs apply, there could be one national second division, or maybe two regional divisions. Officials of the individual leagues were putting a brave face on the situation but were admitting that they could face the majority of their Premier Division clubs applying to join the Conference breakaway.

 

Chairman of the Unibond League, Duncan Bayley, commented: "I'm not sure what the view is from the other leagues but we are not going to be negative about it. Our resignation date is not until 28th February and we have a meeting scheduled for Sunday 12th January. It will be debated and it will be looked at constructively. All our 23 Premier Division teams have been invited to join and I expect a large percentage of them to do so."

 

Dennis Strudwick, secretary of the Dr Martens League commented: "We've had no clubs resigning as yet but I'm sure they will. They are ambitious, and we are ambitious for them. They understandably want to move forward and, with the Dr Martens League having more clubs up to Conference standard than any other, as well as many clubs in the league already semi pro, we feel that this league is better prepared to do so.

 

"However, this move has caused uncertainty. A lot of clubs do not want to be left behind but, for that to be the reason to apply, is probably not the best move. We have had the Southern League for 109 years and we will be liasing with the two other leagues to try and keep the three tier system. I think the Conference is taking the minority viewpoint and I think they should be careful. They have written to 69 clubs so, as a result, some of them are going to end up disappointed."

 

A somewhat differing view was taken by Nick Robinson, secretary of the Ryman League, "All I can say is that we are very disappointed. As far as I can see nothing has changed. The Conference applied for another division last season and were turned down with the FA issuing a decision that there should be three feeder leagues. We see this move as a breech of FA regulations. Under regulation seven of 'entrance of leagues', it states that, if you want to change relegation and promotional structure, then that has to be submitted by 31st December of that year. They have not done that.

 

"So, as far as we can see, it is not something that could be put in place for next season anyway. In addition, it has made clubs worry unnecessarily. There is a definite fear factor for them. They are saying, we are happy where we are but, if there's going to be changes, we want to be part of them."

 

On the action the league would take should the Conference plans fall through (and clubs that have previously resigned seek re-admission), he continued, "It's something I can't comment on because it hasn't happened and, for reasons mentioned before, I don't think it will. But, should it occur, it is something that we'd have to think seriously about."

 

As for the clubs, Steve Eames, secretary of St Albans City FC, said, "We are definitely in favour of the Conference proposals. We have already applied for membership to the Conference anyway, should we win the league this season, and we have a Conference graded ground. The resignation deadline for the Ryman League is 31st January and we are going to wait for the outcome of an FA meeting on 28th January before we decide what to do.

 

"Surprisingly, we have had no communication from the Ryman League, but it has been well documented that they have said that, should any club resign from the league and the Conference plans fail to go ahead, then that club would not be permitted entry back in. Despite this, I think most clubs' views are that it is time it happened. The Conference and the FA have been toing and froing for a couple of years now, and the growing feeling is that we've got to go for it this time."

 

Pete Bywater, chairman of Frickley Athletic, aired on the side of caution as well as being enthusiastic, "I think if they decide on just a Conference 1 and 2 then I think the cost for clubs will be too great and we will be no better off than we are now. However, if they favour a Conference North and Conference South then it will be a good thing. That will generate more derby games which in turn means bigger crowds and more money in the game at this level.

 

"However, there's lots of 'ifs and buts' and nothing is guaranteed. We attended numerous meetings last season about restructuring and there were so many different proposals, it was all a bit of a mish mash. As to whether we will be applying or not depends on how much it will cost the club. We will have a committee meeting and take it from there. We have nearly two months before the Unibond resignation deadline and, if we can afford it, then the answer, in principle, will be yes."

 

Much the same stance was taken by Mike Hughes, director and secretary of Stafford Rangers, "As far as I can see, the Conference are just re-working the restructuring plans of the FA which we voted in favour of in July. The majority was not big enough for them on that occasion and they decided against it. We wont 'be tending our resignation to the Dr Martens League. The Conference have got to get FA approval and, therefore, we could end up without a league to play in.

 

"I have read the league rules and, if we resigned and the Conference plans fell through, we would be treated as a new club and would not automatically be re-admitted into the Premier Division of the Dr Martens League. We would probably have to start at the bottom which, for us, means the Western Division. We have spoken to other clubs and we feel that the best plan of action is to send off our application to the Conference and, if it comes off, we will pay the fee of £4,000 to the Dr Martens League for dropping out after the deadline date."

 

Before anything can be taken further by the Conference, sanction has to be obtained from the Football Association. This has to go through various stages and is unlikely to be finalised before March. The Conference propose either one new national division or two new semi-national divisions and clubs have been asked which of these two options they favour.

 

These proposals are not dissimilar to the ones set out by the FA when they first initiated reorganisation of non-league football 18 months ago. Here is the letter sent to all feeder clubs by the Conference Chief Executive, John Moules:

 

 

 

 

In accordance with Football Association regulations, last week the Football Conference provided the Secretary of the three feeder leagues with seven days notice of approach to all member clubs of each competition's Premier Division. This letter is an invitation for the club to make application to be part of a newly formed Conference of up to 66 member clubs for season 2003/2004.

 

The Conference and the three feeder leagues have discussed restructuring for some time as have the Football Association with little or no progress during the past two years. The Conference believe that an expanded competition with either one additional or two new semi-regional divisions will enable clubs to play on a level basis and plan for the future development in a more stable environment within a single competition of up to 66 clubs at the top of the national game.

 

At this stage the Conference have issued, in accordance with procedures, notification to the Football Association for sanction of rule amendments to allow for up to 66 member clubs for season 2003/2004. Clubs seeking application at this stage are reminded that your current competition rules require you to provide written notification of your possible resignation from the competition.

 

On approval from the Football Association, the Conference will provide all applicant clubs with a final invitation to form either one new national, or two regional divisions for season 2003/2004. The decision on the membership expansion will be based on the number of applicant clubs. Criteria for membership will be based on three key factors (sic), current stadium facilities, club finances, community, and playing record. The specific elements of the criteria have still to be defined and are part of an ongoing process involving various football bodies. If your club is interested in seeking membership of the Conference for season 2003/2004, please complete the enclosed application form, which should be return not later than Thursday 15th January 2003.

 

We look forward to hearing from you in due course.

 

Your sincerely

John Moules

Chief Executive

 

 

[AFF]

Jolly helpful to have that on a new thread, Rob, particularly as the Moderators are conspicuous by their silence with a couple of interesting questions having been asked of them. You people stick together, clearly.

 

As far as your extract is concerned the obvious point to make, firstly is that Mr Bywater probably erred on the side of caution rather than aired on the side of it.

 

To me, the chap from Stafford Rangers seems to have the best idea.

[AFF]

I've just had an awful thought.

 

If The Chief Execs and all those Committe types read that, Rob, they'll call a swift Committe Meeting and unanimously pass an emergency resolution under Rule 537 (d) (14) that any club who resigns after the deadline date must pay a fine of £27 squillion rather than the £4,000.

 

Dammit, Rob. Why didn't you think of that? Get it off quick.