Secretary's Report 2005/06

Fixtures & Pitch Permits

Generally the 2006-07 season progressed smoothly, the one problem being the relative lack of pitch permits. Typically we had to cope with 10-13 permits each week, which often meant that clubs played two weeks out of three, rather than the ideal “one game each week”.

With the demise of Southwark Park (which we’d decided not to use last season anyway, and was subsequently closed by the council in September, and still hasn’t been resurfaced) this was inevitable, particularly as the prospective new ground at Acton is still awaiting completion of the changing rooms. For season 2006-07 we have been able to turn the HSBC booking from fortnightly to weekly by moving to Thursdays (7pm and 8.30pm) which should alleviate things, but we will continue to look out for potential new facilities. Other options may yet appear – Acton might get completed, Southwark Council may yet relay Southwark Park, and the new pitch at Burgess Park (New Cross) has been inspected, but we feel to be too inaccessible (and dare one say it, not in a very appropriate area for our membership).

Clubs need to continue to be aware that travel and inconvenient kickoff times are an inherent evil of playing in the League. There is no 15-pitch facility available at 7.30pm within the Square Mile!

The biggest concern of the season was slightly farcical, that being one of footwear. Both in October and again in March we were threatened with the loss of Battersea because of people wearing inappropriate footwear (studs or blades). From next season these will be outlawed under league rules, as common sense didn’t seem to be sufficient. It is worth noting that even on the day I turned up at Battersea to prevent players wearing studs, two tried to - one of whom argued that “he was only watching”. The following week, at Walthamstow, a player reported having his leg sliced open in a challenge by an opponent wearing blades!

From 2006-07 the only permitted footwear at all grounds will be Astroturf boots or Trainers, and referees will police this rigorously. With virtually every team having their costs paid for by their firm, it’s not unreasonable to expect them to be able to turn up with the correct footwear.

From 36 cancellations of fixtures in 2004-05 (due to lack of players) the number in 2005-06 declined to 17, for which congratulations should go to all clubs. A number of sides turned up with 9 or 10 (or less) players on occasions, often getting results. Let’s hope this continues in 2006-07.

During the season we had two withdrawals of clubs. Trowers & Hamlins (elected at the AGM in June 2005) dropped out on the eve of the season, having never secured their funding (though they hadn’t told us of that!) and we owe particular thanks to Field Fisher Waterhouse, who got themselves sorted, funded and playing within ten days. In January Farrers & Co. withdrew from Division 3, though they hope to be in a position to return at some future date.

Thanks should go to Iain Wagstaff for his good work in organising fixtures once again, though he has indicated that he would like to step down after the 2006-07 season. Ideally we would like to find a volunteer to replace him next summer, but if that person wishes to step forward now it’d give them the opportunity to shadow Iain throughout this season.

Referees

In his first season as Referees Secretary, John Harkin did a superb job, and I can’t think of a single (sensible) complaint about the appointment of referees. John has expanded the panel, and trimmed it where necessary, and the coverage of referees and assistant referees throughout the season was superb.

Clubs should remember how well served we are by our referees – in most AFA football you’ll never see a linesman, and most Saturday clubs have to provide 50% of their referees themselves – the London Legal League is incredibly lucky and well served by its officials.

League Officials

Once again thanks should go to the officers who ensure the smooth running of the league. Iain Wagstaff and John Harkin are the key people in the day-to-day running of fixtures, but thanks should also go to Steve Wallace (Results Secretary), John Wilson (Treasurer and President), Mark Brailsford (Chairman), Iain Ramsay (Vice-Chairman), Luke Mines (Representative Team Manager) and Chris Brayford (AFA Representative).

Without these officers the league could not operate and their work, and advice, ensured a smooth season.

I’m delighted that all are willing to continue for season 2006-07, though as noted above Iain Wagstaff has flagged that it’ll be his last as fixture secretary.

Cup Finals and De Beers

One of the developments in 2005-06 was the sponsorship of the Challenge and Weavers Cups by De Beers. For a number of seasons the tradition with the Challenge Cup Final has been to seek a contribution from each club to enable us to play the game at a Premier Non-League ground. That has always been a success, but we felt it would enhance the arrangement if we could secure a sponsorship to enable us to do this without asking for a contribution from clubs.

In September we agreed a sponsorship deal with De Beers whereby they would provide funding for two cup finals (£1000 covered the Challenge and Weavers Finals) and we would publicise their name.

This proved to be highly successful. Clubs supported the “evening of diamonds and champagne” at the Royal Exchange very well, with almost 100 people attending, and I think De Beers must have comfortably done enough business to justify the sponsorship outlay. The phrase “everyone’s a winner” probably applies to all but a handful of lawyers who perhaps found themselves buying engagement rings a year or two earlier than planned!

The sponsorship money allowed us to arrange both the Challenge and Weavers Cup Finals at Boreham Wood F.C. (Arsenal’s main “reserve ground”). The original plan had been to use Dulwich Hamlet F.C. (even more convenient for the City, and for those of us living in the south!) but the dry winter meant this was unavailable and caused a scramble for alternatives. Boreham Wood proved to be an excellent substitute, and via the Thameslink pretty accessible to the City.

The late change of ground also meant the finals were played rather later than was the ideal. For next season I would hope to get our finals played in late March/early April, rather than late April/early May. Hopefully De Beers will be keen on renewing the sponsorship arrangement.

Representative Team

Unfortunately, the Representative Side only played one game during the season, losing 3-1 to the Arthurian League. The games against the Amateur Football Combination and Cambridge University were both cancelled, the former due to multiple administrative errors (which the AFC will resolve for next season) and Cambridge by the weather. This was all distinctly unfortunate for the new Rep Team Manager, Luke Mines, who had shown signs of building a large and enthusiastic squad, but never really got the chance to perform.

For 2006-07 we hope to expand the Representative Team programme to four fixtures, to give us a pair of games in November and a pair in February, and hopefully create some continuity.

Finances

At the end of the 2005-06 season the League’s finances are in a rude state of health, with over £10,000 in the bank.

At the AGM clubs we will be recommending no increase in subscription (£1500 for season 2005-06) which will enable us to retain the financial muscle to be able to “block book up front” any new facilities that might become available.

John Wilson has also investigated proposals that the league take out a Personal Accident Insurance policy on behalf of all clubs. However, it appears these may be either prohibitively expensive or unsuitable.

He will also have a proposal that the league make a contribution towards funding an AFA Research Project to investigate the 11-a-side game.

Danny McConnell (June 2006)