Steve Carpenter

The release of the Southern League fixtures is also frustrating the compilation of the St Piran League fixtures in the west as Mousehole Development games can't be sorted until their first team fixtures are known and this rolls on down through the divisions.  We've been asking questions and not really getting any answers - until today.  We now know that a company called Atos does all of the fixtures from the Premier League down to Step 4 and has done for the last 10-15 years.  It starts with the Premier League and  works down with (obviously) Step 4 being the last to be done.  Atos has visibility of all of the ground shares across the pyramid which is one of the reasons why the FA contract them, a situation that I understand will not change.  Whilst this doesn't alleviate the St Piran Leagues frustrations at least we now know why and we can stop badgering the Southern League officials.  Should Mousehole Development achieve their ambition of promotion to the SWPL Phil will also have a similar problem when putting his fixtures together which may create further delays down the chain.

The first thing to note is that the AGM is much later this year than it will be next as we've had to wait for the other leagues to close down and disperse their funds.
The other is that as more Cornish clubs progress further up the NLS ladder the more complex the fixtures become.  Phil H is always early with his as he's on the ball and has no reserve team conflicts to manage (while Truro Res are at Tregye); the Western League had theirs out a week or so ago - and then made 35 changes without telling anyone; the Southern League fixtures are out next week I think.  That has a ripple effect all the way down in the west for example as Mousehole Devs fixtures can't be done until the SL ones are out which in turn means that the the reserve or other teams of the sides that the Devs play can't get theirs sorted and so on down the divisions.  Easy it ain't!!
A little bit of patience is needed.  We want the fixtures done as much as you do but it will take a little time.

The first thing to note is that the AGM is much later this year than it will be next as we've had to wait for the other leagues to close down and disperse their funds.
The other is that as more Cornish clubs progress further up the NLS ladder the more complex the fixtures become.  Phil H is always early with his as he's on the ball and has no reserve team conflicts to manage (while Truro Res are at Tregye); the Western League had theirs out a week or so ago - and then made 35 changes without telling anyone; the Southern League fixtures are out next week I think.  That has a ripple effect all the way down in the west for example as Mousehole Devs fixtures can't be done until the SL ones are out which in turn means that the the reserve or other teams of the sides that the Devs play can't get theirs sorted and so on down the divisions.  Easy it ain't!!
A little bit of patience is needed.  We want the fixtures done as much as you do but it will take a little time.

The first thing to note is that the AGM is much later this year than it will be next as we've had to wait for the other leagues to close down and disperse their funds.
The other is that as more Cornish clubs progress further up the NLS ladder the more complex the fixtures become.  Phil H is always early with his as he's on the ball and has no reserve team conflicts to manage (while Truro Res are at Tregye); the Western League had theirs out a week or so ago - and then made 35 changes without telling anyone; the Southern League fixtures are out next week I think.  That has a ripple effect all the way down in the west for example as Mousehole Devs fixtures can't be done until the SL ones are out which in turn means that the the reserve or other teams of the sides that the Devs play can't get theirs sorted and so on down the divisions.  Easy it ain't!!
A little bit of patience is needed.  We want the fixtures done as much as you do but it will take a little time.

Let’s also clarify that’s only for online consents … off line consents no longer  count so if you previously used a paper form, sms or anything other than online consent on WGS you’ll be at a major disadvantage if a club that a player gave online consent to 4years ago can force you to put in 7 days by registering them without even letting that player know. 
basic premise here is that the clubs can register who they like … as long as they gave online consent in the last 5 years…. But the player doesn’t have a say so … 
surely this needs looking at 

That's about the top and bottom of it.  We had a number of players trying to register for different clubs this time last year only to find that they'd already been registered by their previous club. Untangling that all takes time and shouldn't be necessary. The FA tell me that the consent period is SCOR compliant.  Not so sure I agree with that so that's another battle to take on as, as you say, the practical reality is a little removed from the theoretical.

It's also worth bearing in mind that this would have been the situation without the merger taking place.  The Combination would have needed 5 to get up to strength and with small divisions in Trelawny moving back to divisions of 14 would have given the same outcome.  

There are two mandatory AGM items that cover your first question, election of clubs to fill vacancies and agreeing the constitution for the following season.  The election bit is straightforward.   Under the constitution item a club could have their say but all of the clubs vote on the proposals.  I've had little feedback on this but I will be at the Trelawny AGM and I'll be happy to field questions there and hopefully smooth the path.  Nobody has come up with an alternative yet.
To be promoted to the Premier Divisions clubs must have a Grade 8 ground grading as directed by the FA.  Below that, as I've explained elsewhere, there is no enforceable standard other than those considered 'reasonable'.  The reasonable minimums have been agreed with Cornwall FA and are listed in the league rules sent to all clubs.  There are no progressive requirements as clubs move through the divisions.  All division one teams bar those that are reserve sides of higher placed clubs will get an advisory grading visit so that they and the league know where they are relative to Grade 8. 
Some clubs have hired portaloos to meet Grade 8.  There is no requirement for disabled provision at that Grade but if achievable that would obviously be good practice.

No pressure there then @Pitty!!🙄
For consistency of rule application you can't retain some relegated clubs and not others which takes us to the situation we're in.  At risk of repeating myself, something very closely resembling this would have had to take place for next season anyway given the Combo numbers and the numbers in the Trelawny divisions. Everything has squeezed up and Holman SC will be in what would have been Trelawny 1 next season without the re-org.  As I stated, this is a provisional list of divisions and there already some changes that will need to be worked in.  I'm also looking at other refinements which will discussed with the clubs at the Trelawny AGM.  The spread sheet is very much a live document!!
One thing history tells us is that you can't second guess how strong teams will be from one season to the next and with the option to sign for multiple clubs massively reduced next season it becomes pretty much impossible.
The divisions for next season are not a matter for the Trelawny League as 1. It won't exist and 2. It's an agenda item for the inaugural AGM of the re-vamped St Piran League.
Saving clubs from relegation has taken place after promotion has been applied.  It's not immediately apparent from the provisional placings I'll grant you but that's a consequence of everything squeezing up as mentioned above. 

FT3 has correctly answered the North Petherwin point.
There doesn't have to be a gap between a first team and it's reserve team until you get to Step 6.  At that level the the NLS Regulations state 'There must be a minimum of two Steps between a first and reserve team. This does not apply at Steps 6 and Feeder League level. No two teams from the same Club can play at the same Step.'  The definition of 'between' depends on who you speak to in the FA.

A calendar is currently being put together for next season. We're waiting on some dates for FA and County competitions before it can be finalised but the nominal start date is 5th August with all teams to have commenced fixtures by the first Saturday in September.

It's also worth bearing in mind that this would have been the situation without the merger taking place.  The Combination would have needed 5 to get up to strength and with small divisions in Trelawny moving back to divisions of 14 would have given the same outcome.  

It's also worth bearing in mind that this would have been the situation without the merger taking place.  The Combination would have needed 5 to get up to strength and with small divisions in Trelawny moving back to divisions of 14 would have given the same outcome.  

It's also worth bearing in mind that this would have been the situation without the merger taking place.  The Combination would have needed 5 to get up to strength and with small divisions in Trelawny moving back to divisions of 14 would have given the same outcome.  

It means those clubs/teams listed have applied to join next season and their membership will be decided at the AGM by a vote of the current members.

It's also worth bearing in mind that this would have been the situation without the merger taking place.  The Combination would have needed 5 to get up to strength and with small divisions in Trelawny moving back to divisions of 14 would have given the same outcome.  

It's also worth bearing in mind that this would have been the situation without the merger taking place.  The Combination would have needed 5 to get up to strength and with small divisions in Trelawny moving back to divisions of 14 would have given the same outcome.  

It means those clubs/teams listed have applied to join next season and their membership will be decided at the AGM by a vote of the current members.

Due to some unforseen family commitments the proposed divisions will now be with the clubs sometime tomorrow.

Thanks Paul, some great questions in there.
1.  The affiliation fee is per team and does vary depending on the division in which the team competes.  The clubs have been advised of the fees (£150/£125/£100) and asked not to pay until 1st June by which time they will know which division their team(s) will be in.  The fee also includes the referee appointment levy charged by Cornwall FA which some leagues have invoiced for separately previously and totals @£10k.
2.  Entrance fees have been set at £3 minimum for Prem and D1 and £3 maximum for all other divisions.
3.  The fines are standard across all of the divisions but it's important to remember that the fines listed are the maximum.  Putting these together we looked at the range of fines across the leagues and it's fair to say they varied quite a bit.  We are also very conscious of how difficult it can be for clubs to raise funds and we're not in the business of fining clubs out of existence.  Fines policy will be something for the new committee but previously in St Piran all fines of £25 or less were issued as standard.  All fines above £25 (bar withdrawing from the league) were half value on the first occasion and full thereafter.  The next level after £25 was and will be £50. Points deductions hasn't been used so far in St Piran but that option is part of the Standard Rules so could be taken as a policy by the new committee.  Every case has to be taken on its merits but the great majority are pretty straightforward breaches of rules. I have said repeatedly that we don't want fines income, we want clubs to adhere to the rules and if anyone is ever unsure - ask!
4.  As this season the Mitre Ultimatch  ball will be mandated in the Premier Divisions but not below.  We have plenty of stock at £14-50 a ball which any club can purchase.
5.  Two up two down will be the standard but there are options within the rules to 'retain otherwise relegated clubs' (and that again is an option that will be open to the committee at the AGM next year) and to reduce the number of relegated clubs by the number of withdrawals.  This is never a precise science and inevitably gets driven by numbers.  We all hope that clubs won't dissappear but experience tells us that almost every year teams do fold.  We're over 50 teams down on 10 years ago.  At the moment it looks like all divisions below the Premiers will be full.

There are concessions for the groups you mention.

At Premier and Division One level yes there is a requirement for a qualified club assistant.  The fine for not providing one has been reduced to £5.  Below that level teams are still required to have a club assistant but they don't have to be qualified.  By far and away the easiest way to get qualified is to complete the first part of the referee's qualifying course on line which is free to do.  If there is a need we will lay on in person courses in conjunction with Cornwall FA but there will be a charge for those.

What examples do you have of clubs bending the rules?  DM me with what you have/think is wrong as this isn't the place for a public debate on that topic.  The procedures for gaining funds for ground improvements are very clear.  There is a massive amount of help and guidance available but you have to ask for it as none of us are psychic.  Yes there's quite a bit of work to do, yes you need to raise some funds yourself first to unlock other funding streams, yes there are some hoops to jump through but if you have someone willing to undertake that then there's quite a bit of cash out there to fund ground improvements and there are lots of projects currently being worked on.  Moving forward we will assist where we can in the process but clubs have to engage in the process otherwise nothing changes.  Those that have done so have reaped the rewards and should provide an incentive for others to follow suit.  

Thanks Paul, some great questions in there.
1.  The affiliation fee is per team and does vary depending on the division in which the team competes.  The clubs have been advised of the fees (£150/£125/£100) and asked not to pay until 1st June by which time they will know which division their team(s) will be in.  The fee also includes the referee appointment levy charged by Cornwall FA which some leagues have invoiced for separately previously and totals @£10k.
2.  Entrance fees have been set at £3 minimum for Prem and D1 and £3 maximum for all other divisions.
3.  The fines are standard across all of the divisions but it's important to remember that the fines listed are the maximum.  Putting these together we looked at the range of fines across the leagues and it's fair to say they varied quite a bit.  We are also very conscious of how difficult it can be for clubs to raise funds and we're not in the business of fining clubs out of existence.  Fines policy will be something for the new committee but previously in St Piran all fines of £25 or less were issued as standard.  All fines above £25 (bar withdrawing from the league) were half value on the first occasion and full thereafter.  The next level after £25 was and will be £50. Points deductions hasn't been used so far in St Piran but that option is part of the Standard Rules so could be taken as a policy by the new committee.  Every case has to be taken on its merits but the great majority are pretty straightforward breaches of rules. I have said repeatedly that we don't want fines income, we want clubs to adhere to the rules and if anyone is ever unsure - ask!
4.  As this season the Mitre Ultimatch  ball will be mandated in the Premier Divisions but not below.  We have plenty of stock at £14-50 a ball which any club can purchase.
5.  Two up two down will be the standard but there are options within the rules to 'retain otherwise relegated clubs' (and that again is an option that will be open to the committee at the AGM next year) and to reduce the number of relegated clubs by the number of withdrawals.  This is never a precise science and inevitably gets driven by numbers.  We all hope that clubs won't dissappear but experience tells us that almost every year teams do fold.  We're over 50 teams down on 10 years ago.  At the moment it looks like all divisions below the Premiers will be full.

What in particular do you want know? We don't do secrets so if I can answer your questions I will.  If I can't I'll either explain why I can't at this stage and answer when i can or get back to you if the answer needs looking into to be accurate.
Not quite sure how you arrive at your assumptions.  For example Polperro only have one team and are a good side in what will be the Premier East.  
Not a lot, certainly in the eastern half.  After last night's results the east and west divisional make up has become much clearer and there will be discussions about that tomorrow.  My hope is to have the proposed divisions with the clubs on Tuesday.
@Dave Deacon is it worth a standalone q&a thread?  That'll put all of the queries in one place instead of being dotted all over the place.