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Gravesend Football League |
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For the love of Football |
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News Letter Jan 2008 |
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NEWSLETTER – JANUARY 2008
WELCOME
We are pleased to welcome you to the fourth Newsletter of the 2007/08 season.
THE SEASON RESUMES
The season resumed on Saturday 5th January 2008 after a short break for Christmas and the New Year and, unlike previous years, there were few surprise results as:
· Last season’s Gordon Charity Cup finalists, Viewpoint, gained a 4-1 win over Ace of Clubs in a second round replay after being held to a 3-3 draw before Christmas. · Lullingstone Castle extended their lead in the Premier Division with a 6-2 win away to Real Man of Kent. · Division One leaders Guru Nanak Reserves gained revenge for a 7-0 defeat before Christmas with a 3-1 win at home to Swan Valley. Meopham stayed top of Division Two after a narrow 2-1 victory over Earl Grey – although Heathview United maintained their 100% record and are gaining ground after an 8-0 win at home to Culverstone United.
Appendix A shows the League tables up to Friday 18th January 2008 [APPENDIX A HAS BEEN OMITTED].
REFEREE COVERAGE – UPDATE
We are pleased to advise the following coverage rates by officially appointed referees:
· November 2007 – 50 out of 50 matches – 100% · December 2007 – 35 out of 35 matches – 100% January 2008 – first two weeks – 22 out of 22 matches – 100%
This represents an overall rate of 99.5% so far this season.
We would, once again, extend our thanks to all of the referees on the League’s List for helping us to achieve this level.
It has also been possible to appoint assistant referees to a number of matches.
WITHDRAWAL
Since the last Newsletter it is very disappointing to report that Istead Rise F.C. has withdrawn from the Premier Division.
The club’s withdrawal was considered at the December meeting of the League Council and its record was expunged from the League table.
Withdrawals cause all sorts of problems – once again, players are urged to give 100% commitment to their clubs and endeavour to fulfil a season’s fixtures.
KENT JUNIOR CUP – UPDATE
Congratulations to the five League teams which have reached the county-wide stage (5th Round) of the Kent Junior Cup on Saturday 2nd February 2008. Their matches are as follows:
· Group ‘A’ – Viewpoint vs. Canterbury City · Group ‘B’ – Medway Knights vs. Craggs Farm Reserves · Group “B’ – Woodlands Athletic vs. Sturry · Group ‘C’ – Culverstone United vs. Woodcoombe Sports & Social Group ‘C’ – Heathview United vs. AFC Aussie
The League’s best wishes are extended to these teams for further progress in the Competition.
PRESIDENT’S CUP
The President’s Cup will initially be played in three groups on a league basis (with matches kicking-off at 2.15 p.m.) with teams playing each other once. The draw for the groups resulted as follows:
Group ‘A’ Group ‘B’ Group ‘C’ Ace of Clubs Horton Kirby Real Man of Kent Craggs Farm Reserves Ace of Clubs Reserves Horns Cross United Guru Nanak Reserves Peacock Celtic Swan Valley Viewpoint Reserves The Rising Eagles Woodlands Athletic
The semi-finalists will be the winner of each group together with the best runner-up from the three groups – this being decided upon points and then goal difference. The semi-finals will be played on a knock-out basis (with matches kicking-off at 1.45 p.m.) with extra time and penalties (if necessary).
The eligibility to play in the Competition is that players must be registered for their club in the League.
The referee’s fee in all games is to be shared but it is the home team’s responsibility to pay the referee.
INTER-LEAGUE REPRESENTATIVE MATCHES
Arrangements are being made for two Inter-League representative matches against the Sevenoaks & District Football League, as follows:
· A senior game to be played at Sevenoaks in late March; and A junior game (i.e. excluding players from Premier Division teams) to be played at Gravesend in early May.
Further details will be circulated in due course.
Clubs are requested to send nominations for players for consideration for both teams to the League team manager, Peter Danzey, without delay.
WEBSITE ( at: http://football.mitoo.co.uk/News.cfm?LeagueCode=GRAV2007 )
Don’t forget to visit the League’s website for:
Up to date contact details for clubs. Results for each week – these are normally entered on the website on Saturday evenings and brief individual match reports (normally input later in the week) can also be accessed via the results. Up to date League tables. Details of leading goal scorers in the League and Cup Competitions. Details of suspended players – although these should not be regarded as definitive.
PITCHSIDE MEDICAL CARE
Following an injury in a recent match, it is appropriate to remind clubs that if you have a trained first-aider, it is essential that he/she is equipped both practically and logistically to manage whatever medical situation may present itself.
There are no hard and fast rules about the contents of a medical bag, but the Football Association has issued guidance on the desirable basic contents of a ‘routine’ medical bag (which will allow a first-aider to deal with more common medical presentations) as follows:
· Crepe Bandages · Elastic Adhesive Bandage (Various Sizes) · Elastic/Self-Adhesive/Tearable Bandages (Various Sizes) · Zinc Oxide Tape (Inelastic) (Various Sizes) · Disposable Nitrile Gloves · Gauze Swabs · Plasters (Non-Allergenic/Waterproof) · Sterile Non-Adherent Wound Dressings (Various Sizes) · Triangular Bandages · Eye Pads · Spray Bottle (For Iced Water) Scissors (Safety Type)
It will be noted that a bucket of water and a filthy sponge are not included in the above list!
With the recent cold weather, a blanket to cover the injured player should also be considered.
Further details may be obtained from: http://www.thefa.com/GrassrootsNew/Coach/Postings/2004/06/MedicalKitBag
POSTPONED MATCHES THROUGH BAD WEATHER
Mention of inclement weather in the last Newsletter has been followed by a number of postponements and we would take this opportunity to remind club secretaries of the procedure when, as the home team, you have to postpone a fixture on the day of a match.
You should notify:
· The secretary of the visiting team · The referee · The Referees Secretary so that the referee can be reallocated (if possible) · The Fixture Secretary The Result Secretary – if he has not been informed the match is off then you may be fined for failing to phone the result that evening (see Rule 11(B))
You are also reminded that there is a special arrangement for confirming the fitness of Gravesham Borough Council grounds on the match day and reference should be made to page 1 of the League Handbook.
AMENDMENTS TO LEAGUE HANDBOOKS
All amendments notified since the last Newsletter was issued have been consolidated in Appendix B [APPENDIX B HAS BEEN OMITTED].
Please update your League Handbooks now!
KENT FOOTBALL STRATEGY LAUNCHED
The Kent County FA launched their five year Football Strategy on Friday 14th December 2007 at County Hall in Maidstone.
A statement by Barry Bright, Chairman & Managing Director of the Kent County FA, on the Strategy can be seen on the county website at: http://www.kentfa.com/News/2008/01/KentFootballStrategyLaunched.htm
A copy of the Strategy can also be downloaded from the county website at:
The Strategy has identified four key priorities that the Kent County FA will tackle in the next 5 years. These are:
· Pitches and Facilities; · Respect in the Game; · Development and Support; and Leadership and Governance.
Football in Kent faces a challenge to bring together all those who participate in or support the game. The Strategy is intended to provide a framework to shape and govern future priorities and resources.
Please take the time to look at these items!
CUP FINAL TIES FOR THE 2007/08 SEASON
The provisional arrangements for the Cup Final Ties are as follows:
Gravesend Football League
· League Cup ‘A’ – Easter Monday 24th March 2008 – Fleet Leisure Sports Ground – k.o. 11.00 a.m. · League Cup ‘B’ – Saturday 12th April 2008 – AEI Henley Sports Ground – k.o. 5.00 p.m. President’s Cup – Saturday 26th April 2008 – Fleet Leisure Sports Ground – k.o. 5.00 p.m.
Gravesend Hospital Challenge Cup Competition
· Dampier Palmer Cup – Saturday 29th March 2008 – AEI Henley Sports Ground – k.o. 4.00 p.m. · Mallinson Cup – Saturday 5th April 2008 – Fleet Leisure Sports Ground – k.o. 5.00 p.m. Everden Cup – Saturday 3rd May 2008 – AEI Henley Sports Ground – k.o. 5.00 p.m.
Gordon Charity Challenge Cup Competition
Gordon Charity Cup – Saturday 19th April 2008 – AEI Henley Sports Ground – k.o. 5.00 p.m.
REGISTRATIONS AND TRANSFERS
Clubs are reminded that the closing date for registrations and transfers is Saturday 1st March 2008.
You therefore have just under six weeks to strengthen your squads before the closing date.
ELIGIBILITY FOR CUP SEMI-FINAL OR FINAL TIES
In order to be eligible to play in a Semi-Final or Final Tie, clubs are reminded that players must have played for their club in at least four games prior to the playing of the respective Semi-Final or Final Tie.
REMINDER – ANNUAL PRESENTATION EVENING
You are reminded that the League’s Annual Presentation Evening has been arranged for Saturday 31st May 2008 at the Fleet Leisure & Sports Club, Nelson Road, Northfleet.
If you haven’t already done so, please make a note in your diary!
CONCLUSION
Some good news and some disappointing news since the last Newsletter.
Let’s try to start the New Year off in the right manner! Remember – enjoy your games and play to win in a sporting way.
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