Secretary's Report 2006/07

Discipline

It is sad to report, but the dominant aspect of the season seemed to be indiscipline. Whilst not as serious as one is likely to find in other leagues, by the end of October we had already had a referee threatened on the pitch and afterwards, another referee considering abandoning a game because a player sent off refused to leave the pitch, as well as a number of clubs giving cause for general concern. By the end of the season we’d had a player to player assault, and verbal abuse of groundsmen simply trying to do their job, and prevent players wearing studded boots (which contravenes league rules).

Six clubs passed Stage 1 of the AFA Disciplinary Code, and two clubs passed Stage 2. In contrast, the season before just two clubs had passed Stage 1.

In most cases, the clubs concerned reacted well, dealing appropriately with the miscreants, but it remains the case that these were unacceptable incidents which should never have occurred in the first place.

In November, the Chairman of the League took the unprecedented course of writing around clubs to remind them of their responsibilities, and we also introduced the Sportsmanship marks, ostensibly to persuade the clubs who were causing concern for various reasons that these were genuine, and not just a figment of our imaginations. It was notable that at Christmas, the bottom eight clubs in the Sportsmanship ratings contained the seven clubs I had written to in November about various aspects of discipline!

By the end of the season the League’s Management Committee had interviewed or considered the position of five clubs with regard to their membership of the league, and I’m happy to say that our conclusions were to recommend the continuation of all clubs.

Sportsmanship Marks

The introduction of Sportsmanship Marks has, in my opinion, proved invaluable. It has been suggested (usually by clubs low in the tables) that the marks are biased because of results – the suggestion being that clubs mark opponents down if they get beaten (quite why this applies to referees I don’t know). However, I believe this to be simply untrue. I’ve included the table of marks with this report, and shown the division and final position of various clubs – four of the six “top two” sides are in the top ten, and simply put, I see no such pattern.

The Sportsmanship Marks are, to my mind, simply an accurate report of “did we enjoy last night’s game”. It is no surprise to me that both sides who passed AFA Stage 2 are in the bottom six, and none of the sides who passed Stage 1 are in the top dozen.

Representing the Firm

First and foremost, everyone involved in the London Legal League has to be aware that they are responsible for the good name of the firm they represent. Those who have had problems this season, and have seen it “escalate upstairs” know all too well how seriously this is taken, and the consequences.

This also applies to “Guest Players”. They are an essential part of the league whether we like it or not. However much every firm would like to field a team of 11 “home grown players” often this isn’t possible, particularly with changing work patterns (“sorry boss, I can’t finish this today, I’m playing football for the firm tonight” is now out-of-date), so guest players are a “necessary evil”.

However, firms should be careful about who they take on as guests. All too often the problems that have arisen have done so because of guest players, who have not been selected with their attitude and disciplinary record in mind, but simply because they’re good footballers and clubs want to win. It is incumbent on the firm players, however junior, to ensure the guests have appropriate standards of behaviour. If they don’t, find other guests!

Spirit of the London Legal League

At its core, The London Legal League exists because thirty City Law Firms (and associates) want to play football against each other, in a friendly relaxed environment. The standard isn’t the highest, and nor should it be. Arsene Wenger isn’t sending scouts out to Walthamstow and Battersea in case he’s missed a diamond! Most of the better players will be playing at a higher level on a Saturday. This isn’t to say it’s not meant to be competitive, but there is an importance in the League of playing the right way!

If the majority of the league decide at some point in the future this is not what they want their league to be, then the league will of course change, but it is my belief that the patronage of firms will quickly vanish, and the league die.

It is your league, and I believe that everyone wants to ensure that last season was a blip, and we can “return to normal” for next season.

Fixtures & Pitch Permits

Generally the 2006-07 season progressed smoothly, although an 11 team Division 3 caused congestion. Typically, having decided to elect both new clubs on the assumption someone would drop out, no-one did, and 11 teams meant that an 18 week “league season” expanded to 22 weeks (because someone’s spare every other week). Returning to three divisions of ten should make life much easier.

Generally, the grounds were well received, aside from the usual moans about kickoffs being too early, or too late (usually equal in number). The biggest complaint was simply the distance to travel to (and back from) the two grounds in Beckenham. Whilst we anticipate that next season the Beckham Academy in Greenwich will mean we don’t need to use these pitches, clubs should remember that if we don’t look after our grounds, then travelling further afield to find pitches is the inevitable result.

Next season we shall have use of the Beckham Academy at North Greenwich, providing us with four pitch permits (two pitches, 7pm to 8.30pm, 8.30pm to 10pm) every Thursday at an indoor facility. Whilst this will increase the overall costs of the league, I believe that the increase in standards we will see will make it money well spent.

It is worth a reminder that from last season 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 and in 2006-07 rose slightly to 21, which nevertheless means less than one per club. It was particularly pleasing to see a number of sides still turn up with only eight or nine men, and often run their opposition much closer than expected.

Thanks should go to Iain Wagstaff for his good work in organising fixtures once again. Twelve months ago he indicated that he hoped 2006-07 would be his last, but in the absence of a volunteer has agreed to stand for next season, but as work and domestic pressures with a young family increase further this will be his last season, so if anyone is interested in succeeding him next season please let me know.

Referees

Once again, John Harkin did a superb job as Referees Secretary. 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).

In particular I’d like to thank Mark, as the various disciplinary issues meant he was rather busier with league business than he or I had anticipated.

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

Cup Finals and De Beers

Unfortunately, I was unable to secure the sponsorship of the Challenge and Weavers Cups by De Beers. I shall try to revisit it for next season, but much is dependent on the manager of the Royal Exchange Branch (who back in 2005-06 was the driving force, and about to depart on Maternity Leave!). Much will be dependent on whether she has returned I suspect.

Representative Team

Once again, unfortunately, the Representative Side only played one game during the season, drawing 1-1 with the Amateur Football Combination. The game against Cambridge University fell victim to our inability to get a side to travel to Cambridge, and the Arthurian League game fell victim to the weather. We shall continue to persevere.

Danny McConnell (July 2007)