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Post by babysitter on Oct 24, 2007 19:46:11 GMT 1
I know there is a seperate section for Grading etc but having just read the League Management Committee minutes from 15th October, I see that there are currently only TWO Clubs that are up to spec! If the rest do not meet the requirements by 31st March 2008 they will be relegated to step 6, ie Division One! Now it got me wondering who the TWO Clubs are, me having been around the UCL for 25 years or so. I'd have thought that both Sleaford Town, with their brand new ground and AFC Kempston with their Football Foundation improvements should qualify but where does that leave other "tasty" grounds like Raunds Town, St Neots Town, Wellingborough Town, Boston Town and the ever improving Deeping Rangers? Several other Clubs will have a probable mountain to climb, like Blackstones, Cogenhoe, Bourne, S & L, Yaxley, Stotfold, the list goes on and on. How strict will the League be, will all the player expenses disappear at those Clubs needing to bring their facilities up to date, even though the majority of Clubs at our level struggle to average 80 spectators per game. Would like to know how Ian Hughes is going to drive all these improvements through on the strength of a Form that could well be filled in "incorrectly" by Clubs. It would be good for the League to say who is where with their improvements, not to score points but to see how far we all need to go. Must go, got to go and label up Sixteen seats for visiting Officials!
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Post by ianh on Oct 25, 2007 0:09:46 GMT 1
I know there is a seperate section for Grading etc but having just read the League Management Committee minutes from 15th October, I see that there are currently only TWO Clubs that are up to spec! If the rest do not meet the requirements by 31st March 2008 they will be relegated to step 6, ie Division One! Now it got me wondering who the TWO Clubs are, me having been around the UCL for 25 years or so. I'd have thought that both Sleaford Town, with their brand new ground and AFC Kempston with their Football Foundation improvements. yes There are two teams and you have got one right, also in that sentance will should be mayWould like to know how Ian Hughes is going to drive all these improvements through on the strength of a Form that could well be filled in "incorrectly" by Clubs. I would hope that forms are filled in as accurately as possible and that an action plan would be drawn up to address any other issues It would be good for the League to say who is where with their improvements, not to score points but to see how far we all need to go. Must go, got to go and label up Sixteen seats for visiting Officials! I am currently collating forms and previous proformas/i, but will gladly speak to any club regarding their facilities. and will certainly discuss the way forward with you, if I see you on the 31st ps glad to see your realising that in some cases, little effort is actually needed to meet some of the criteria, as in your case with the dedicated seating. |
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Post by Administrator on Oct 25, 2007 7:21:30 GMT 1
How does that work with clubs who are in the process of development like a couple of the Hunts ones are at the moment?
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Post by judgejohn on Oct 25, 2007 8:15:36 GMT 1
ianh, I probably should know the 2 in question but would have thought WT2004 who passed Southern criteria last season must be one? Unless of course not having a signed lease on the ground goes against them?
Surprised that Raunds and Cogenhoe dont meet it either. Must be minor stuff then?
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Post by pyromaniac on Oct 25, 2007 8:17:44 GMT 1
Well St Neots move to their new ground before the deadline, so I think it's safe to say they'll meet the league requirements. Also they've put in an application for step 4 according to the minutes, so I guess the new ground also meets that stage.
From memory AFC Kempston don't have a PA system in place yet, or at least I don't recall one being used when I was there earlier in the season, thus they wouldn' t meet point 1.13 of the Grade F (Step 5 I believe) which requires one.
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Post by judgejohn on Oct 25, 2007 9:02:35 GMT 1
PA system cheap fix though...........£400 on ebay whereas someone to operate it not such an easy fix. I guess most of the Prem clubs will have little inexpensive things so expect most will meet the criteria deadline.
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Post by ianh on Oct 25, 2007 11:40:55 GMT 1
PA system cheap fix though...........£400 on ebay whereas someone to operate it not such an easy fix. I guess most of the Prem clubs will have little inexpensive things so expect most will meet the criteria deadline. Exactly right, JJ most clubs have a few little jobs (like Mr B at Blackstones), so yes i think most will meet the criteria, with a little advice and guidance. The 2 clubs in question that already meet the criteria, were from ground inspections before my time, but would guess at Sleaford Town and Wellingborough Town |
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Post by grassroots on Oct 25, 2007 12:06:09 GMT 1
How does it work with players entrance? ie tunnels or players having to be segregated from fans. Or is it at step 4 level a players tunnel is required?
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Post by 2halfs on Oct 25, 2007 13:10:23 GMT 1
What are the additional requirements then?
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Post by ianh on Oct 25, 2007 15:07:15 GMT 1
How does it work with players entrance? ie tunnels or players having to be segregated from fans. Or is it at step 4 level a players tunnel is required? This is for both divisions 1.11 Secure Walkway Clubs must provide for safe unimpeded passage for players and match officials between their dressing rooms and the pitch. The use of protection designed products such as retractable tunnels or permanent structures to separate spectators and players/officials is recommended. Appendix The design of the safe walkway will inevitably differ from ground to ground and it will rarely guarantee the safe passage of players and match officials unless supplemented by stewards. A club should implement procedures appropriate to the particular structure and be ready to respond to on the field situations which might affect spectator behaviour. As you can see from the paragraph taken from the Appendix, Manpower is deemed an important facility
Link to the FA F Grade PDF |
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Post by ianh on Oct 25, 2007 15:13:02 GMT 1
What are the additional requirements then? The additional requirements in the August 07 updates, that are evident are Grade F & G (*F only*) • Trainers boxes, (*Which may be a designated part of the main stand*) must give an unobstructed view of match • Toilet area must have a roof • Wash hand basin in players dressing rooms must not be in shower area • Dressing Rooms to be heated, well ventilated, and free from damp |
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Post by railwatcher on Oct 26, 2007 10:41:15 GMT 1
I fear the biggest issue will be the interptretation of the rules and in what areas individual clubs consider their facilities comply or not, I am sure there are going to be many red faces and angry men before the season is over, and inquisitve men visiting clubs next season! We even have another man doing the grading inspections this time too.
Knowing what one club needs to achieve, a place that is amongst one of the best places to play football, I will be very interested to see who slip under the rail of facilities! Of the two clubs complying I am sure they are not the tidiest or best places to play football.
Some clubs make great efforts others seem to do a little less, although I do think more are making an effort.
The faceless in the ivory tower seem to change their minds day by day quite simply have no idea what it takes to get football played at Step 5 &6, and that they are dealing with volunteers. We see prize money for competions is always cut back at the lower levels, and at UCL level non existant!
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Post by judgejohn on Oct 26, 2007 12:33:03 GMT 1
Well I understand that secure tenure is a pre-requisite yet am told (by owner) that WT don't have any kind of signed lease agreement in place even though last season they passed the Southern League Grading criteria so to be honest pretty confused. Does this mean then that 2 is now 1?  |
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Post by ianh on Oct 26, 2007 13:33:44 GMT 1
Well I understand that secure tenure is a pre-requisite yet am told (by owner) that WT don't have any kind of signed lease agreement in place even though last season they passed the Southern League Grading criteria so to be honest pretty confused. Does this mean then that 2 is now 1? for F & G (UCL) 1.1 Security of Tenure Where a club does not own the freehold of their ground, evidence of adequate security of tenure must be provided. For D & E (Step 4 - for first and subsequent years) 1.1 Security of Tenure The club must either: 1.1.1 own the freehold of the ground, or 1.1.2 have a lease of the ground for the remainder of the season during which an inspection for grading is carried out and for the following season, or 1.1.3 possess an agreement for the use of the ground which is acceptable to The Football Association. If the Club applying for the grading is in a ground share, that share must be on a ground which complies with the above requirements and the ground share agreement itself must be for a term which is acceptable to The Football Association in the circumstances of the particular ground share. Dont understand the last point JJ |
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Post by babysitter on Oct 26, 2007 19:57:26 GMT 1
Ian H - Mr B at Blackstones? He isn't there anymore. You really must read your Weekly Bulletins from John Walker.
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