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sg
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desboroughvp
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|  | Re: UCL to be abolished?
« Reply #1 on Jan 8, 2012, 10:59pm » | |
I'm also shocked at this rumoured proposal.
I believe that if the UCL did fold then member clubs would be shipped out all over the place.
The Lincolnshire clubs will go into the North East Counties, St Ives and Yaxley will no doubt go into the Eastern Counties League and the clubs in Beds and Bucks will go into the South Midlands League.
I'm unsure about clubs in Northants but it will either involve travelling down the M1 in the South Midlands League or up the A14 in the Midland Football Alliance.
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sg
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| | Re: UCL to be abolished?
« Reply #2 on Jan 8, 2012, 11:28pm » | |
The Beds and Bucks clubs wouldn't be much worse off travelling wise, but a big increse for the rest if this were to happen.
Bridlington v Blackstones on a Tuesday night in February anyone? 
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Lankie
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| | Re: UCL to be abolished?
« Reply #3 on Jan 9, 2012, 10:27am » | |
According to Non league matters Essex league could be most at risk - (no step 6 league) and one suggestion was for SML sides north of Luton to join UCL giving prem of 22 sides and two div1 leagues (North & South) of 16
www.nonleaguematters.co.uk/
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jeffl
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| | Re: UCL to be abolished?
« Reply #4 on Jan 10, 2012, 8:33am » | |
I have it from an impecable source that the UCL is a prime target and that an FA meeting this weekend (Sunday) will decide the next steps.
I am confident that the league will be seeking the support of its membership in the very near future and urge every club to look at and consider all of the implications (positive and negative) and ensure that you have your views represented. Apathy and non-interest will likley be the biggest threat so please make sure you do your bit and have your say over the next few weeks.
It's your league!
Jeff
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pborolad
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| | Re: UCL to be abolished?
« Reply #5 on Jan 10, 2012, 9:07am » | |
In many ways I am quite pleased. In my personnel opinion, the UCL have needed a kick up the backside for some considerable time.
It is ran by the cast members of Cocoon with about as much 'get-up and go' as a cucumber. The fixture arranging leaves something to be desired and the publicity of the league is no where near as good as it should be.
This could be fantastic for clubs, players and supporters of many clubs - get to see new grounds, test yourself against new managers and players and perhaps open yourselves up to a new fan base.
I supose what I'm saying is - be open minded about the possible change.
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kilnparkspeedwaystarborgslayer
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| | Re: UCL to be abolished?
« Reply #6 on Jan 10, 2012, 9:57am » | |
I don't see the logic in your argument pborolad about kicking the ucl up the backside. The removal the ucl prem means more traveling for clubs who currently struggle with traveling anyway. Its just another attempt by the FA to weed out struggling clubs, ground grading was the first wave and now this. So much for supporting grassroots or local football. Furthermore, all businesses these days are having to reduce their carbon footprint or environment impact. Here we are increasing unnessary travel. Is the FA sponsored by BP or Shell by any chance or perhaps this new high speed rail link will join all the clubs up I think not.
I totally agree we should all stand united against this stupid idea! 
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foundrymankev
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| | Re: UCL to be abolished?
« Reply #7 on Jan 10, 2012, 10:28am » | |
There has to be irony in the FA invite to the meeting letter where tea/biscuits will be provided but the FA cannot provide travel expenses!
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railwatcher
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| | Re: UCL to be abolished?
« Reply #8 on Jan 10, 2012, 1:47pm » | |
Shame you view things that way pborolad, but you clearly have no active involvement in actually running a club! Perhaps we should all consider what is actually being asked of our clubs, travelling something an extra 46k miles to get teams to fixtures, about an hours extra travelling time in each direction, and oh yes, how are clubs going to recruit players to travel into deepest Herefordshire for a midweek fixture? Or into North Yorkshire? Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth maybe 3 hours for some!
No doubt you have all the answers!
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foundrymankev
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| | Re: UCL to be abolished?
« Reply #9 on Jan 10, 2012, 2:42pm » | |
Well said railwatcher....longer journeys merged with more fixtures will only lead to survival of the fittest with clubs being forced to rebudget. This will mean cutting out where there are only costs for putting matches on so the demise of youth teams will continue. Clubs may not be able to have reserve sides etc. Search the internet and there's loads of potential alternatives. However we all love being in the UCL that's why we come to this forum to debate. Perhaps some clubs need to consider mergers-is that the best answer and could also be better financially? Just putting it out there.
Additionally, the UCL Committee are not only volunteers but are also experienced and passionate about this league and are probably as wounded as the clubs at this time. Is there anything that has more fighting spirit than a wounded animal?
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tommyc
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| | Re: UCL to be abolished?
« Reply #10 on Jan 10, 2012, 2:44pm » | |
There is a logic in having 12 step 5 leagues feeding 6 step 4 leagues. Alternative would be 16 step 5 leagues (so upgrade 2 x step 6 or split out existing step 5's) and have 8 step 4 leagues which in turn feeds 4 step 3, 2 step 2 and 1 step 1 for consistency around promotion & relegation.
Whatever happens the current 12 promotion places between 14 step 5 leagues is a nonsense and needs to be doubled to give step 5 teams more chance of advancing (something like 80 apply each year?)
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railwatcher
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| | Re: UCL to be abolished?
« Reply #11 on Jan 10, 2012, 3:34pm » | |
Theoretical logic is one thing, reality is quite another, the number of teams folding from the higher leagues is ever increasing and need room at Step 5 if they are able to re-form so there will be adequate room to accommodate the champions from each league who apply in the foreseeable future.
Last year we had two well qualified clubs fit for promotion, that is not the case every year; of all the 80 or so clubs TommyC refers to how many would you estimate to be fit for purpose or just a bunch of dreamers? Of the six or so (average from the 14 leagues) how many realistically are ever going to reach promotion positions come May?
The reality is, and the UCL has received plenty of critics, enforce grading and get your F grades and be fit and health to reach Step 4 and within 12 months an E grade, until then clubs are in grave danger of taking many steps beyond their means. Part of this restructure will require the FA to regrade grounds to achieve an F grade, now that will be really interesting!
We have seen more clubs being promoted from our own Step 6 once they have got their act together, some of these recently promoted clubs now face possible voluntary demotion because of the scandalous costs they are going to face, this is so unfair, long established clubs will also struggle so we could have have a 36 strong Division 1 in eighteen months time!. For many the costs will be actually higher than what it would be in a regional Step 4 level (certainly the case for my club).
A keg of dynamite has been stuffed right in the middle of the UCL and no one should be taking this flippantly - what about the clubs than run reserve sides too? As foundrymankev quite rightly highlights what about the investment in good youth sides?
Get the voices together and stand up - your League needs you! Grassroots my ****
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Lankie
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| | Re: UCL to be abolished?
« Reply #12 on Jan 10, 2012, 5:13pm » | |
If the FA press release is to be believed and I quote "Based upon the feedback from both the leagues and clubs meetings the Leagues Committee will determine the way forward." then all UCL premier clubs should attend the FA meeting and oppose any break up of the league and should possibly promote the addition of the SML clubs north of Luton in the UCL whilst combining the Essex Senior League with the SML.
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bpwchair
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| | Re: UCL to be abolished?
« Reply #13 on Jan 10, 2012, 5:29pm » | |
As a UCL Chairman looking at this whole proposal is concerning not only for us but for a lot of clubs around us, and to take in to account youth football as well. The added cost implications to clubs is enormous and whilst with times as being as hard as they are this is not going to help clubs at all.
However the problem still exists of there being 14 Step Five Leagues and only 12 Step Four leagues so promotion for clubs will still be difficult. That said I am a firm believer that is you win your league and have the correct ground grading then you should be promoted, that is the whole reason behind what we do surely ?
But please remember the clubs that will be also affected at Step 6. Those that are trying to bring commuinties together, to encourage the youth through, that dont have a money tree to shake, but still equally work hard to ensure that football takes place.
There may well be some troubled times ahead but we must confront them head on, to ensure that grassroots football is not lost on us today or for the youth, which is our future.
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railwatcher
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| | Re: UCL to be abolished?
« Reply #14 on Jan 10, 2012, 6:42pm » | |
Well said bps chair. The problem for Northamptonshire clubs such as yours is that you might just find it more difficult to achieve Step 4 because the cost of sustaining Step 5 football; the geographical regions being imposed. The more we focus on the 12 step 5 leagues conspiracy the more of a death knell we are tolling for the UCL, I urge everyone to focus on the alternatives. It is important for the county clubs make as much of a case to ensure our voice is heard. Lincs clubs need to follow the same line I must suspect.
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