THIS IS A MUST READ

[smallsy]

a very interesting article/newsletter has appeared on the bowers website. definitely worth a read. what you all think???

 

http://www.bowersandpitseafc.netfirms.com/News.htm

 

looks like the league may be making some ground at getting us a step 6 division and more teams in the ESL.

 

garymo will no doubt find this a good read as will the white ensign boys.

[smallsy]

so what does everyone think? coup you must have a view on it?

[Krooner]

Sounds hopeful for you guys.

[coupwotcoup]

From a selfish point of view I would like to see a merger. Let's face it we all get a bit(?) bored playing the same teams year in year out, however this is easy from a fans' perspective.

Fixtures can be tailored to meet distance needs, ie you wouldn't have Southend Manor or Burnham away to Deal or Hythe - or vice-versa - in midweek.

I have for a long time been an advocate of the 'Big New Broom'. Let's scrap the old and bring in the new. I can understand the powers that be at all 'County' levels wanting to retain their old ways, but everything that has been done in recent years is just papering over the cracks.

I said a while ago, there should be a step 5 Greater London League, with North, South, East and West divisions.

There are plenty of clubs to fill each section, plus these leagues would encapsulate the minor leagues, such as the Kent County, Olympian, and the lower leagues of the SSML, CoCo and to some degree the Middlesex County and Herts.

Differing divisions could be at different 'step' levels and there must be more flexibility on clubs wanting promotion.

Too many Ground-Grading regulations are imposed on clubs who have poor attendances but are quite happy to plod along.

Time to move on methinks otherwise we all tread water.

[Jenko]

Totally agree Coups!

[smallsy]

interesting to see some evidence LC is doing the business. first official news ive ever read on the subject.

 

if they can make the ESL 20 teams and have a 2nd division(or first division if we call the current ESL the prem) with another 20 that would be quality.

[kattyann]

I do agree with u coup to some degree, but like the report said, in this area we r lucky enough to have several 'lower league' teams that could compete in our league. I personally would prefer this (from a fans point of view) as it would mean less travelling. No matter how well u try to sort out the matches so no one has to travel too far on a mid week. It is not always going to work. Also u have to take into consideration the players. If they have been working all day in say Norwich, would they really then want to travel to an away match in say Dartford area, which wouldn't be classed as far, but do u want to go over the bridge at that time in the traffic. This is also true for fans as well. The players would they then start looking at lower leagues for ease of travel, or would they just go whole hog and forget it and just play sundays? Would fans continue to travel so far away, and they r the ones that help keep clubs ticking over finacially.

 

I do understand coup that it would be good to have new teams in the league and a few new ways, but tradition is what football fans like (to a certain extent of course), but could we really sustain the new pressures that it would bring in terms of keep clubs alive financiallyand practically. It will cost more in travel and once again would the fans travel?

 

But hey i'm just a girlie, what would i know! <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

[coupwotcoup]

Yes I agree..nice to know he is doing some background work. The problem with the ESL is that after Christmas there is no incentive (apart from those still in the cups and the odd one or two who can go up) and most clubs are going through the motions.

Ground-Grading has been the bane of the past ten years at our level. Every league seems to have its own rules.

Judging by Worthing United's ground with its sheer drop near the stand, nobody has looked at that place for years! Lucky was p!ssed, would have fell down it and broke my neck if I had been sober!!!

[coupwotcoup]

Up and till a few years back, the lower reaches of the Ryman were just like that..Canvey v Hungerford midweek and Wivenhoe had some mega trips too.

These clubs have survived (apart from Hungerford who have stepped down), but players sign on for clubs knowing what travelling is to be expected, and getting to Kent and Surrey is hardly an outward bound course these days..

Took me just as long to get to Worthing as it does to Burnham...

Look at some of the travelling in the Eastern Counties..they must rack up the mileage during the season..

[smallsy]

well that would be a huge benefit of two divisions. the threat of relegation! no one could afford to "lose interest". plus there will be fresh influxes of teams each season i.e. teams coming down and teams coming up.

 

perhaps if it is arrange 2 will go up from the ESL then there could be a playoff situation i.e champions go up automatic and places 2-5 in play offs.

 

there could also be a relegation playoff. 2 teams go down and come up automatic. and the 3rd bottom and third top play off to see who gets the last place in the division.

 

all this would no doubt increase interest in the league!!!

 

kattyann completely agree about the travel, its ok on a saturday but would be nightmare in midweek. players would need afternnons off work and dont get paid enough to start doing that.

[kattyann]

I know what u r saying coup and i do understand and agree, but my main point is on the financial implications it could and most probably would bring to our clubs.

[coupwotcoup]

So my Greater London League gets the thumbs up then??

[kattyann]

it is a good idea, but could it actually work in practice?

[Hookey]

Speaking as someone who regularly follows an Essex club to Kent (Tilbury Res play in the Kent League Div 2), it isn't ideal but it isn't horrendous either.

 

Trips to Folkestone Invicta, Hythe Town, Dover Ath, Margate, Faversham Town, Herne Bay, Deal Town et al, are restricted to Saturday games. Last season we got to Folkestone in an hour, it can take that long to get to Stansted!!!

 

And vice Versa, they came to Tilbury on a Saturday. Midweek games were usually to teams in places like Chatham Town, Greenwich Borough, Lordswood, VCD Ath, Slade Green, Tunbridge Wells & Sevenoaks. The furthest we travelled midweek last season was Sittingbourne, so was not too bad.

 

I have to say that as an "amateur" groundhopper, I found visiting these grounds very interesting and certainly made the trips worthwhile.

 

Variety is indeed the spice of life.

[Hookey]

One last thing, perhaps addressed to "League Chairman", the Kent League's website is excellent and I would love to see a similar one for the ESL.

 

http://www.kentleague.com/index.htm

[Football Man]

My immediate reaction to that statement is that there is a world of difference between the FA "agreeing to discuss" something and actually making a decision, let alone a positive decision.

 

I am also wary that the FA may choose to be sympathetic to the Kent League's problems rather than encouraging of the Essex League's enthusiasm in order to keep the Kent people happy and not rock the boat too much.

 

However, if the ESL gets what it is arguing for, it will be excellent news for everyone concerned with the League - its administrators and its clubs.

[Jenko]

Travelling to Kent midweek is just as easier for me than Burnham, Southend Manor, Hullbridge and Concord away midweek. Weekends are certainly not a problem. It obviously the travel from north to south and vice versa via a tunnel or bridge thats the problem. Relegation and consistnt promotion is the key and would bring more interest.

[coupwotcoup]

Well that's a done deal then. If Hookey and Jenks say it is ok, then to infinity and beyond we go.....Well at least Whitstable, coz they got nice restaurants there...

[Kaiser Jnr]

For the sake of the Essex Senior League, and non-league equivalents like the kent league, a merger sounds a good idea...

 

I agree that playing a new variety of teams is a good idea. It will also make it hard to get out this league!!!

 

It will be interesting to see how things unfold...

 

However, hopefully Burnham will get promoted and we wont have to worry about any of this! <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

[Hookey]

Especially the oysters!!! Yum Yum...