Amateur Football Combination - 2008-09 News

Holland Park Old Boys (June 2009) - Following the Annual General Meeting, Holland Park have informed us that due to lack of players, they have resigned from the AFC for season 2009-10.

Match officials who have already registered with the AFC for next season should have indicated on their forms whether they will prepared to act as Assistant Referees (we will not be forcing anyone to run a line against their wishes) but if they have any questions, please contact Bob Coates.

	Annual Report for 2008-09 accepted.
	The Constitution for 2009-10 was approved, by an approximate vote of 100-1.
	It was agreed (a vote of 68-25 in favour) that a one year trial would be held with Assistant Referees being appointed to all Premier Division games. This will mean (on average) six officials "running lines" each week (we have anything from 0 to 5 Premier games each week, depending on cups, with an average of three) but we hope that not only will this provide better officiating for our flagship division, but assist in the recruitment and retention of referees to enable us to improve our referee coverage overall.
	No changes to club subscriptions.
	Election of four new clubs:- Old Grantonians, Old Crosbeians, Oakhill Tigers, Old Pegasonians.
	Seven probationary clubs confirmed in Full membership: FC Tilburg Regents, Globe Rangers, Goffs Old Boys, Lea Valley, Royal British Legion Loughton, Standard Chartered Bank, Ravenscroft Old Boys.
	Resignation of Malvern Chase, BBC and Credit Suisse.
	Election of new Club Representatives:- James Whitmarsh (Old Dorkinians), Melvin Sullivan (Lea Valley), Ben Roberts (Old Pauline), Andy MacRae (Bealonians), Clive Cook (Old Guildfordians).

AFC Annual General Meeting (June 2009) - Clubs are reminded that the 2009 Annual General Meeting will be held on Friday 19th June, 6.30pm start at the Chadwick Street Recreation Centre, 1 Chadwick Street, Westminster, SW1P 2EP. All clubs must be represented.

AFC Representative Team (June 2009) - With the first game in the National League Systems Cup approaching (to be played in September), the AFC Representative Team will be running two trials/training camp days for existing players and prospective new squad members. These will be held on Saturday 27th June and Saturday 18th July, both 12.30pm starts at Old Meadonians (Riverside Lands).

We are keen to get new players involved, so if clubs have players they feel should be considered please contact the Representative Team Manager, Rory Vermeulen - Tel: 07979 858 595 (M).

McCarthy Awards (April 2009) - Congratulations are due to Lee Kill, Darren Fenner and John Martin, recipients of the AFC's McCarthy Awards for 2008-09. These annual referees' awards, presented in memory of past Referees' Secretary, David McCarthy, are made by the Referees' Committee in recognition of the efforts of our referees during the past season. These awards are normally presented at the League Annual Dinner.

London Old Boys Senior Cup Final (April 2009) - On Wednesday 22nd April, UCL Academicals beat Old Aloysians 3-1 in the London Old Boys Senior Cup Final, played at Potters Bar Town F.C..

AFA Record - March Edition (February 2009) - The AFA are now preparing the March edition of the County Magazine, the AFA Record, and are keen from contributions from leagues, clubs and players. Click here for more details.

If clubs have any questions or concerns, please contact the relevant League Match Secretary.

Double Headers (February 2009) - If a fixture is shown as DH then a double header must be played. Double Headers are played when one or both sides have a fixture backlog, caused either by inclement weather, or long cup runs.

Double headers are played 30 minutes each way (so 60 minutes per match, 120 minutes of football), with the first fixture kicking off no later than 2pm. Each game counts separately, and clubs cannot play one game for "double points". Referees should be offered a separate match fee by each club and substitutes should be nominated prior to each game. Clubs normally share the match expenses.

Fixtures for 14th February (February 2009) - Our apologies for the late publication of fixtures for 14th February. In view of the exceptional weather last week (no AFC games played on 7th February) we decided it made more sense to publish fixtures for 14th February on the Sunday, to allow for re-arrangements of games from various cup competitions. This will not be regular procedure, our aim remains to get fixtures published 10-12 days in advance, but when the weather is so bad, we have to decide whether there is any point in publishing early a fixture list which we expect will be dramatically re-arranged a few days later, which effectively means a host of un-necessary and pointless work for all concerned.

Season Progress (February 2009) - As of today, Sunday 8th February, 54% of AFC league fixtures have been played, which contrasts with 61% at the same stage last season, so we're effectively two weeks behind last season's schedule. It's safe to assume Spring Cups are out of the question (we'd played 65% in 2006 when we finished the season early, and ran multiple spring cups) but we are ahead of schedule compared to 2002-03, when 48% had been played at this stage).

If you start to see double-headers appearing on fixtures soon, don't be surprised!

Saturday 7th February (February 2009) - as far as we're aware, no AFC games have survived the weather on Saturday 7th February. However, for hardy spectators, we can confirm that the AFA Senior Cup quarter-final between Civil Service and Nottsborough has passed a 9am pitch inspection. The match is a 2pm KO at Civil Service Sports Ground, Riverside Drive, Chiswick, W4 2SH. All other AFA Senior Cup quarter finals are off.

Club Marks (January 2009) - updated club marks (to 10th January 2009) for season 2008-09 have been published. Click here for details.

Fines Update (January 2009) - As of 31st December a total of £4695 has been accumulated in fines by clubs (helping to keep subscriptions down for everyone else) with the most common fines being Failure to Attend the AGM (£850), Late kickoffs (£550), Late submission of Player Registration Details (£500), Cup results not telephoned (£460), Failure to provide hospitality (£360), Press results not phoned in (£320), SMS results not reported (£230), Failure to advise league officers of postponements (£220), Incomplete or failure to submit CRS (£190), Failure to fulfil fixtures (£175), Late confirmation of fixtures (£135) and Failure to justify low marks for referees (£135).

With all of that in mind, congratulations should go to the following clubs, all of whom still have a "clean" sheet for the season, and it's particularly good to note that four of the six new clubs are included, so "unfamiliarity with the league" certainly can't be used as an excuse!

Birkbeck College, Cardinal Manning, Citigroup, Globe Rangers, Heathrow Seniors, Lea Valley, Mayfield Athletic, Old Dorkinians, Old Ignatians, Old St Marys, Old Sedcopians, Old Suttonians, Old Woodhouseians, Ravenscroft Old Boys, RBL Loughton, The Comets, University of Hertfordshire.

FA Grassroots Survey (January 2009) - The Football Association have launched an online grassroots survey, asking for feedback on various aspects of Grassroots Football, including the Respect Campaign. This is your chance to have your say about football develops in England, and gives you the chance to tell the Football Association what you think.

Click here to take the survey which will take about five minutes (your county FA is the Amateur Football Alliance if you aren't sure!).

Matt Huntley making good recovery (January 2009) - I’m delighted to report that Matt Huntley of Old Guildfordians is making good progress from his recent serious injury.

On Saturday 15^th November playing for Guildfordians 3rds against Old Thorntonians 2nds, Matt was involved in an accidental collision with an opponent that left him with multiple scull fractures, and many fearing the worst. He was airlifted to hospital and spent the next few days in an induced coma until the swelling had receded.

Matt has emailed me today, apologising for the delay in contacting us (!!!), and reporting that he is progressing well, much more quickly than expected, and is hoping to be able to return to work later this month.

On behalf of everyone at the AFC, I would like to thank both Guildfordians and Thorntonians for their support and concern for Matt and his wife Naomi, and of course we would like to offer our best wishes to both of them.

I’m delighted to be able to report that Matt and Naomi have accepted our invitation to attend this year’s AFC Annual Dinner as guests of the league, and we look forward to seeing them there.

European Lawyers Football Cup: calling all footballing lawyers (January 2009) - Following a second place finish at last summer's Legal World Cup in Alicante, London Lawyers Football Club (LLFC) is turning its attentions to Budapest and the chance to retain its continental crown at this year's European Lawyers' Football Cup (ELFCup). 

The club would like to hear from any London-based lawyers interested in representing the club at these championships. Squad trials will be taking place at 2.30pm on Sunday 25 January at Battersea Park. For further information please contact:

· Matt Smith – Old Latymerians (matthew-b.smith@db.com)

· Will Spencer – Old Hamptonians (wspencer@mayerbrown.com)

· Oz Akkaya – Old Wilsonians (osman.akkaya@herbertsmith.com)

This prestigious international tournament is held every two years and was first hosted in 2003 in Frankfurt. Subsequent editions of the tournament have been hosted in Salzburg and Albufeira, with LLFC appearing in three successive finals. London was finally crowned European Champions in May 2007 in Portugal, clinching the title with a 1-0 victory over Livorno Forense of Italy.

The 4th edition of the tournament will take place in Budapest, Hungary from 27 May to 2 June 2009 and will involve around 16 teams from across the continent. 

LLFC was established in 2001 and comprises trainees and qualified lawyers selected to represent London in both the ELFCup and Legal World Cup ("Mundiavocat"). The club is keen to strengthen its squad and to build on the success of previous championships. In addition to the London Legal League, current and recent players to have represented the club have come from a number of AFA sides including Old Hamptonians, UCL Academicals, Old Belgravians, Old Wilsonians, Norseman, Old Latymerians, Old Etonians and Old Chigwellians.

For further information please see www.londonlawyersfc.com or the official tournament website at http://www.elfcup.com/en/index.html. 

AFC vs Oxford University postponed (January 2009) - The AFC vs Oxford University game due to be played on Wednesday 14th January has been postponed as it clashes with the AFA vs Army.

Del Saunders Get Well Soon (December 2008) - on behalf of everyone at the AFC we would like to wish Vice-President Del Saunders a speedy recovery. The local council recently instigated some works that involved digging a large hole near where Del lives, albeit clearly signposted to stop the unwitting falling in. 

Del is anything but unwitting, and made quite sure of avoiding said hole, but alas missing the signpost was an entirely different matter. He vehemently denies being on the way home from the pub.

We understand that Del is making a good recovery, and we offer our best wishes that he continues to do so.

John Monk at the AFA (December 2008) - Congratulations to our own John Monk, who has been appointed as Football Administrator at the Amateur Football Alliance.

AFC vs Cambridge University (December 2008) - On Tuesday 2nd December the AFC drew 1-1 with Cambridge University, a 7.30pm KO at Corinthian Casuals F.C., King George's Field, Queen Mary Close, Hook Rise South, Tolworth, KT6 7NA.

Click here for a match report.

AFC Player Registration Lists Overdue (December 2008) - Clubs are reminded of rule 8e, and that registers of players were due to be sent to Norman MacDonald, Chairman of the Fixtures Committee by 31st October. 

This requirement has been laid down for us by the Football Association and the AFA, and has to be enforced. Click here for more details and an electronic template.

Data Protection Act: This information is being collected by the Amateur Football Combination for the purposes of Player Registration and will be made available to the Amateur Football Alliance. It may also be made available to other County FA's and to the Football Association. It will not be made available to any external organisations for Commercial Purposes.

Christmas/New Year Fixtures Published (December 2008) - With the majority of clubs wanting to have no more than two weekends free from football over the Christmas period the Fixtures Committee have decided that the programme over Christmas will be as follows:-

Saturday 20th December - Full league programme for all sides.

Saturday 27th December - no league fixtures.

Saturday 3rd January 2009 - optional for league fixtures, though note that some AFA and County Cups will be running.

We are aware that some clubs may wish to play on 3rd January, but given the proximity to New Year's Day (Thursday 1st January) the majority will not, so league games will be available if clubs wish to play, and they should notify their League Match Secretaries accordingly who will try to arrange games.

We wish to emphasise that 3rd January is only optional for league games - if the AFA or another County have organised cup games for that day, clubs are required to fulfil them (note that the AFA Junior, Junior Novets, Middlesex/Essex Intermediate and Surrey/Kent Intermediate all have rounds on that day).

Provisional Fixtures for the 20th December and 3rd January have now been published. Click here for details.

Leyton County and Old Challoners (December 2008) - The Leyton County vs Old Challenors AFA Senior Cup tie was the latest to be reported on by "The Barber", the FA's "Superfan". Click here for details.

BBC Withdrawal (November 2008) - It's with regret that we have to report that BBC have submitted their resignation from the league, due to lack of players. We hope the club will continue with Associate Member status, perhaps able to play some friendlies with a view to re-entering at some stage in the future.

The Sports Shop Sponsorship (November 2008) - We're pleased to report that we've opened negotiations with the company who have taken over The Sports Shop, and we're optimistic of being able to relaunch the sponsorship agreement from last season. Keep an eye open for more news.

Club Selection Records (November 2008) - Clubs are reminded of rule 8d, which requires that clubs not only keep a register of playing members, and of teams selected and actually playing, but that these may be requested by the Fixtures Committee and should be produced within seven days if so required.

AFC Subscriptions Overdue (November 2008) - AFC subscriptions were due at the end of October (we give clubs a couple of months to allow for start of season cash flow issues) but the following clubs are currently outstanding on their subscriptions, and are liable to be fined (likely to be levied at AFC Executive on Thursday 6th November!):-

Glyn Old Boys

Please ensure payment is sent to Alan Robinson as a matter of urgency.

Club Marks (November 2008) - the first set of club marks for the season have been published. Click here for details.

AFC Club Representatives (November 2008) - Are you happy with the way the AFC is being run? Would you like to have more say in how things are done within the AFC? Are you keen to get involved with running your league?

Southern Amateur League Heartbreak (November 2008) - In the UEFA regions tournament the Southern Amateur League just failed to qualify, despite remaining unbeaten and not conceding a goal. Click here for more details. Our congratulations to them for progressing so far and doing England and AFA football proud.

Doug Milton (October 2008) - On behalf of everyone involved in the AFC we would like to offer our best wishes to referee Doug Milton, who was taken ill during a game earlier this month, and is now recuperating. We hope to see him back with his whistle once he is fit again.

Clubs facing Suspension (October 2008) - The following clubs are reported as having their London Old Boys Cup fees outstanding, and will shortly be facing suspension by the Amateur Football Alliance. We recommend they resolve this issue as a matter of urgency!

London Legal League vs Amateur Football Combination (October 2008) - The Amateur Football Combination won their first Representative Game of the season, a 4-1 victory away to the London Legal League on Thursday 16th October at The David Beckham Academy.

Updated Guidance on Reporting Results (October 2008) - We've issued some updated guidance notes on reporting scorelines of games. Click here for more details.

Data Protection Act: This information is being collected by the Amateur Football Combination for the purposes of Player Registration and will be made available to the Amateur Football Alliance. It may also be made available to other County FA's and to the Football Association. It will not be made available to any external organisations for Commercial Purposes.

New Club Officers Evening (September 2008) - It was summer, it was late in the evening, you were drunk. The next morning you woke up with a nagging feeling of doom, something bad had happened. A woman, no! The police, no! Worse! You'd agreed to become Club Secretary or Fixture Secretary.

You tried to escape, even attended the AGM in the hope someone else would offer. They didn't (attend or offer). You tried pleading insanity, but it's football - that's never been a barrier!

There is hope out there.

On Tuesday 30th September, the AFC will hold its "New Club Officers Evening", aimed at providing an introduction to running an AFC club (including how to avoid fines!) for all new club officers (though more experienced ones are equally welcome). It's optional, and informal, and the idea is for some of the more experienced administrators to pass on their wisdom to the new guys (Fletcher and Godber in "Porridge" may be a perfect parallel!).

We'll aim to be in the bar by 9pm, if not before!

Click here for more details.

SMS Update & Errors (September 2008) - Clubs are reminded that this season League results (NOT Cup results) should be reported via SMS Text Message (though Senior results must still be telephoned to Trevor Syms for Press Reporting). Click here for full details and a log of error so far. The deadline for these results is 6pm, but until the end of October we'll allow clubs until 8pm to get them sent to allow Club Officers to adjust to the new system. Please do NOT telephone Fred Nuckey with results.

It really is very straightforward, 5 seconds to send one text message and the scoreline is reported. If you have any doubts, take Norman MacDonald's advice - find a 17 year old, give him your mobile and ask him to send it (or show you how!).

The Sports Shop and the Amateur Football Combination (September 2008) - As you will be aware, over the summer the Amateur Football Combination entered into a Sponsorship agreement with The Sports Shop, with them offering to supply discounted kits to clubs.

During August it became apparent that The Sports Shop were having difficulty in fulfilling orders, with a number of clubs (mine included!) having problems in getting dates and orders confirmed. We were aware that their website (which has now disappeared!) had a notice saying they were not taking payments for orders.

Over the last few weeks, the AFC Communications Committee have been trying to make contact with The Sports Shop to ascertain the situation – they have proved, and continue to be, extremely difficult to make contact with.

Through our own investigations, we have now confirmed that it would appear that The Sports Shop ceased trading on 6^th August 2008, although they have not confirmed this to us themselves.

At the first AFC Executive Committee meeting of the season, due to be held on Monday 22^nd September, we shall consider this matter, and unless new information comes to light in the meantime, the Communications Committee will be recommending the immediate termination of our agreement with The Sports Shop.

In the meantime, I would be grateful if any club (or referee) who had placed an order with The Sports Shop could contact Danny McConnell as a matter of urgency.

Danny McConnell (Secretary, Amateur Football Combination)

AFC Season Kickoff (August 2008) - Yes, it's that time of the year again. The leaves are falling, October gales are blowing in, it's dank and dark and very Novembery. Bit of a shame for late August. Nevertheless, the football season is upon us. New kit to be ordered because we don't fit into the old one, the boots have vanished (in fact, disintegrated) and UCL Academicals are wondering why they've no goalkeepers for preseason (the answer is we're playing cricket, and we know they can't drop us).

Suffice to say, the 2008-09 AFC season is here. The mailing of handbooks, Spirit of Football stuff, newsletters etc is going out to clubs (Club Secretaries only), referees and league officers today and tomorrow (28th and 29th August). It's about ten days earlier than last year, so we've sent it second class to reduce the costs, so expect to get your package early next week.

If you haven't received details by Monday 8th September, please contact Danny McConnell.

Best of luck to everyone for the new season!

The evening will take place on Wednesday 17th September at 7.00pm and will include a talk from the FA’s Head of National Referee Development Ian Blanchard on the new F.A. Respect campaign intended to improve behaviour and relations between players, clubs and match officials.

Click here for more details and please ensure you let Bob Coates know if you will be attending.

Fred Nuckey (August 2008) - We're pleased to report that Fred Nuckey is back at home, recuperating from his recent illness. He is now looking after the Northern Divisions again, but we hope he will work himself back into things slowly and gently (despite himself!).

AFA Youth Trials (August 2008) - The Amateur Football Alliance will be holding Youth Trials for its under 16 and under 18 sides in early September, with both teams competing in the South East Counties Youth Championship during the 2008/2009 season.

For more details on the trials, and how to take part, see the AFA Website.

FA launch Respect Campaign (August 2008) - with many parallels to our own Spirit of Football campaign, the Football Association have launched their Respect Campaign, dedicated to improving standards of behaviour at all levels of football.

The programme will be implemented in professional and grassroots football, and encompasses not only respect towards match officials, but also the conduct of overly-competitive coaches and parents on the sidelines at grassroots youth games.

It represents a shared commitment between The FA, Premier League, Football League, PFA, LMA, PGMO, County FAs and regional and local leagues. From this coming weekend, a range of new measures will be in place, to improve the relationship between players and match officials and conduct in the technical area at the top end of the game.

When the non-league season kicks off, leagues up and down the country will be implementing measures to address the abuse and intimidation of referees and the excessive demands placed on young players.

Click here for more details.

Old Vaughanians (August 2008) - Old Vaughanians suspension from all football has now been lifted, and clubs are free to arrange preseason games against them.

AFC Preseason Fixture Bureau (July 2008) - The AFC Preseason Fixture Bureau is now open. Click here for details.

Club Referees - Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act (July 2008) - The Football Association has now confirmed that in agreement with the government, the establishment of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act (2006), via the Independent Safeguarding Authority has now been delayed until October 2009.

In the meantime, the Football Association will continue to lobby for an exemption for open-aged football (i.e. excluding players under 16 years) so that referees involved in open-aged football will not be subject to this act, an exemption we are optimistic will be granted in due course.

Whilst there is therefore no need for club referees to undertake CRB checks prior to next season, we would nevertheless wish to emphasise that we would encourage all referees, club officers, coaches and first aiders to undertake a CRB check – it may not be required next season, but it is “good practice”. We would also encourage all clubs to work towards appointing a Club Welfare Officer.

If any club, or club referee, has any questions, please either contact the Amateur Football Alliance or Danny McConnell.

AFA and London Old Boys Cup Draws (July 2008) - The draws for this year's AFA County Cups and London Old Boys Cups have been published.

Spirit of Football - Football Awards (July 2008) - In conjunction with the Amateur Football Alliance, we're delighted to announce the presentation of a number of free footballs to clubs who finished high in the Spirit of Football Rankings last season.

Three balls per team have been awarded to the two Spirit of Football winners (Old Paulines - 12 balls, HAC - 6 balls) and one ball per team have been awarded to the next four clubs in each of the two categories (clubs running three or fewer teams, and clubs running four or more teams). In total the following have been won:-

Old Paulines 12, HAC 6, Old Guildfordians 6, Old Belgravians 1, Hampstead Heathens 2, Old Sedcopians 5, UCL Academicals 6, Reigatians 6, London Welsh 2, Heathrow Seniors 1.

Could all clubs concerned please contact Rob Gibbs to arrange for collection of their balls.

Our thanks to the Amateur Football Alliance for their generosity in providing the balls.

Click here for the 2007-08 League News