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What I don't understand is the attack on the leagues administrators.  Yes some are old so what, at least they are doing the job nobody else wants.  But what I don't understand is the criticism foisted upon them.  It seems people have lost sight of the fact that the committee act on the behest of the clubs.  It is the clubs who decide the rules of the league and the committee acts upon them.  If the clubs want rule changes - it is they who can put forward rule changes, a vote is taken.  The committee then act upon the decision.  It is utterly pointless to then argue that it is their fault for not implementing something the clubs have not voted for.

I keep seeing the pointless postings about how poor the league is. I can go back over 50 years playing the game and I'm afraid that argument is groundless. We all seem to go around with rose tinted glasses – football was better yesteryear. Well I played in yesteryear, nailed in studs, iron toe caps, heavy woollen socks and shirts, huge great pads and a heavy leather dubbined laced football that virtually gave you a headache when you headed the ball and horrible pitches. But what I find now is pitches are far better, the kit is better, the ball is lighter, the production and progression of young players to a higher level continues and the league sees local villages putting everything into trying to play at a higher level. Some talk about the standard not being good. Again I suggest rose tinted glasses should be removed. We have seen clubs such as Sticker, Foxhole, St Dennis, Dobwalls and Godolphin Atlantic all moving up from the league. That is what football is all about. Progression and the ECPL which is a two county league will continue to see clubs take that next step.

I think people should look at the whole picture. Yes if Launceston had been deducted points for non playing of fixtures then they not Liskeard would go down. But I make this point, the league can only act upon the rules of the competition as they stand. If you want change then do something about it. Put forward proposals for rule changes so that YOU the clubs can vote on it. As I understand it the league will get a new rule of deducting three points for non fulfilment of a fixture but the clubs will have to agree. As I said. The league can only act on what the rules actually say. If you don't change that rule then please don't argue that it should be in – its to late.

It would be far better if people stopped posting negative and non factual comments but used this site to foist views about how to improve the league, not destroy it.

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ECPL - I totally understand your stance, specifically about vitriol shown to the running of the league and there is clearly a history with yourself / the league committee and some on the forum. I also, like you, believe that some will never see the improvements that have been made and that change isn't always negative.

However sometimes your response are 'direct' and perhaps intended to draw a reaction - just a view?

In relation to the 'points deducted' topic from another thread - I raised that - however specifically said:

"If the ECPL (the clubs within the league) do not bring themselves in line with other leagues then this will continue"

The emphasis was CLEARLY on the clubs, who in my view are the ECPL and not the committee. That said the committee could also make suggestions to clubs about topics they may want to consider - this being one.

Perhaps using the forum to remind players and officials about how they can shape 'their' game and using them as messengers back to their club committees might bring about the 'new' ideas some are asking for - rather that than 'telling them off'.

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Public forums should be for people to voice their opinions and meetings should be for committee`s to alter, amend rules etc.   Slagging off people who run the league is not the way forward.  Like it or not, stand up and say what you need to say but be prepared to help change things if that is what is needed.

Hindsight is fantastic and comparison to other leagues and previous decades of football is fine but the fact of the matter is that loyalty and commitment are not what they used to be and Saturday is no longer a "football day"

Work, train, play football has declined and in many cases it is legitimate but if clubs, big or small are not "able" to fulfill fixtures then the sanctions should be in place to deter this and not to encourage teams to give up.

No easy answer here but I personally like the idea of 2 divisions to encourage senior football but if senior football is to be promoted then there needs to be more commitment from the PLAYERS

MQx

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Bobjfh my views are somewhat forthright but unless they are said nobody will know about the concerns I have. I spent years getting away from the area to work for professional football and rugby clubs around the country simply because we have this terrible attitude down here of: 'Seen it all before boy.' In other words we seem to accept to often the negative view of what is going on around us and not the positives. Who in their right mind would not want to live in the South West.

 

I am Plymouth born and bred with Cornish links so I think I know what I am talking about. We should be celebrating what we do down here and not be so insular. Yes we are at the end of the country and I can fully understand why clubs at the higher level do not wish to go to the next level but that is not a reason to deride clubs in the ECPL who struggle to keep senior football going. All that for no reward.

 

Clubs are having a problem with recruiting committee members as older members either die off or retire. We should be looking to recruit more younger people to run our clubs and leagues. And yes the world has changed. We have to come to terms with the way the world has changed. I like many was brought up in a world that said: 'Saturday was for football.' That isn't the case now, many people work on a Saturday or finish too late to get away for games. The youngsters seem to drift away from the game once they leave youth football. Why ? Surely we must deal with that situation and not keep going on about things they know nothing about.

The ECPL I think started in 1960 or so, that is nearly 60 years ago. If it was being run that badly then it would have disappeared long ago. It has a constitution for 32 teams. Some seasons there are less but since the change to two divisions the playing standard has improved, the facilities have improved and by and large things have improved over the years.

You only have to look at Launceston. Yes if they had been deducted points they would have been relegated but Launceston are still with us. That takes tremendous dedication by people to ensure the club had a reserve team playing on a Saturday. Take St Stephens Borough. The club was in dire straights and looked as if it would fold, but dedication and the belief in the areas youth ensured that the club continued. St Teath failed to raise a team for one match but despite having a horrendous season they turned up at Saltash in the middle of this week to honour a fixture. Padstow kept going despite their problems. Likewise Millbrook with all their off field problems kept going. What about Bodmin Reserves, kicked off their home pitch but still kept going and deservedly finishing runners-up. That is what this league is all about, overcoming problems all to allow people to play the game they love. You will always get the armchair critics, but that is life. Everyone has an opinion about everything, but please channel your views in a positive manner and not in a negative way.

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I see your point-but I would argue that those sides haven't progressed-they are just back at the same level-with the same standard of sides they were before the restructure, it's just under a different name. 

The old south western league was the top league-and sides in the east Cornwall prem back then (st Denis, foxhole, Liskeard, sticker, etc) were all flying high in that league-1 league under the south western so nothing has changed, they are still 1 league under that top standard it's just under a different name-and the east Cornwall league is now sat under that so I'm my opinion the standard of football in the league has dropped!! But agree it does make the progression route easier. For clubs, as sticker have shown this season-but as far as I'm aware with the old structure they could have still gone up into the south western league?? 

I maybe wrong-iv only be playing the league for the last 17 years-I snip of the 50 years you have been involved!! 

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ECPL - we may have very different views on the best way forward for the league, and how the league could be improved, but I completely agree that any personal attacks on the hardworking and dedicated administrators who run the league (any league) is completely out of order.

I was surprised to see that the league couldn't deduct points from teams who fail to fulfill a fixture, but as you say the league must be run within the rules that have been adopted at an AGM. I was also surprised that the FA codes of standardised rules hadn't filtered down to that level yet, but perhaps that only goes down to Step 7 level.

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7 minutes ago, Richard Rundle said:

ECPL - we may have very different views on the best way forward for the league, and how the league could be improved, but I completely agree that any personal attacks on the hardworking and dedicated administrators who run the league (any league) is completely out of order.

I was surprised to see that the league couldn't deduct points from teams who fail to fulfill a fixture, but as you say the league must be run within the rules that have been adopted at an AGM. I was also surprised that the FA codes of standardised rules hadn't filtered down to that level yet, but perhaps that only goes down to Step 7 level.

Few things have cropped up this year that I wasn't aware of either. Was chatting to a manager of a duchy side who had a game replayed as a match got abandoned for a broken ankle....88 minutes had been played. Now I always though that is 70mins (maybe 75) had been played a result would stand. Apparently this is a FA rule but doesn't apply in the duchy leagues?? 

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19 minutes ago, B Manning said:

Rob, to clarify for you a game consists of two equal halves, if that does not happen then it is not considered a game the league concerned then decide what to do i.e., replay, or whatever they decide.

Thanks for clarification on that mate. The referee in our game that got abandoned due to floodlight failure said something similar. ?

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If anyone thinks running a Team let along a League is easy work, then stand up and be counted.

Easy to slag off the people who run the leagues.

The biggest problem I see within the ECPL is how easy it is to say can't be bothered this week and cancel, lose 3 points and fine £50. Perhaps if the punishment were more severe clubs would think twice about doing it.

Do I dare suggest ECPL Southern and ECPL Northern of similar.

I feel sorry for Plymouth Parkway this year with 4 teams failing to turn up, maybe because they were the best team in the league, a lot has to do with the travelling.

The people who do run the leagues need applauding not critisism

 

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On ‎18‎/‎05‎/‎2017 at 12:49, ECPL said:

 

What I don't understand is the attack on the leagues administrators.  Yes some are old so what, at least they are doing the job nobody else wants.  But what I don't understand is the criticism foisted upon them.  It seems people have lost sight of the fact that the committee act on the behest of the clubs.  It is the clubs who decide the rules of the league and the committee acts upon them.  If the clubs want rule changes - it is they who can put forward rule changes, a vote is taken.  The committee then act upon the decision.  It is utterly pointless to then argue that it is their fault for not implementing something the clubs have not voted for.

I keep seeing the pointless postings about how poor the league is. I can go back over 50 years playing the game and I'm afraid that argument is groundless. We all seem to go around with rose tinted glasses – football was better yesteryear. Well I played in yesteryear, nailed in studs, iron toe caps, heavy woollen socks and shirts, huge great pads and a heavy leather dubbined laced football that virtually gave you a headache when you headed the ball and horrible pitches. But what I find now is pitches are far better, the kit is better, the ball is lighter, the production and progression of young players to a higher level continues and the league sees local villages putting everything into trying to play at a higher level. Some talk about the standard not being good. Again I suggest rose tinted glasses should be removed. We have seen clubs such as Sticker, Foxhole, St Dennis, Dobwalls and Godolphin Atlantic all moving up from the league. That is what football is all about. Progression and the ECPL which is a two county league will continue to see clubs take that next step.

I think people should look at the whole picture. Yes if Launceston had been deducted points for non playing of fixtures then they not Liskeard would go down. But I make this point, the league can only act upon the rules of the competition as they stand. If you want change then do something about it. Put forward proposals for rule changes so that YOU the clubs can vote on it. As I understand it the league will get a new rule of deducting three points for non fulfilment of a fixture but the clubs will have to agree. As I said. The league can only act on what the rules actually say. If you don't change that rule then please don't argue that it should be in – its to late.

It would be far better if people stopped posting negative and non factual comments but used this site to foist views about how to improve the league, not destroy it.

Heartrending rhetoric. full of holes, double-standards and hypocrisy. The main gripe from the members is the fact that teams are not fulfilling fixtures. The league, who  apparently cannot make any decisions unless the members suggest it, will be suggesting to deduct 3pts for a no-show next season. This will not have any affect in the slightest. If the league are able to suggest that, then they can suggest major reform for the better. This would consist of one league of 18-20 committed teams. This Junior/Senior nonsense is a false divide. To my mind, junior football means U18s. It's the only way to deal with the ongoing issue of teams not turning up. 

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St John.  You just don't get it.  I used to be angry at some of your stupid postings but now I feel sorry for you.  You like me have every right to post our views but it seems that when you are losing the argument you go on the attack.  And who are the teams who are failing to fulfill fixtures.  Got it in one.  Cornish clubs.  So what does that tell you.  The league is strong.  GET OVER IT. 

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6 hours ago, ECPL said:

St John.  You just don't get it.  I used to be angry at some of your stupid postings but now I feel sorry for you.  You like me have every right to post our views but it seems that when you are losing the argument you go on the attack.  And who are the teams who are failing to fulfill fixtures.  Got it in one.  Cornish clubs.  So what does that tell you.  The league is strong.  GET OVER IT. 

Pot calling the kettle black there I think ??

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Any side who can win the league by 11 points after being given 12 of them is playing in a poor league end of! When playing in the league with the old format and old peninsular format this never happened! Top could play 3rd from bottom and still know they were in for a game, not anymore! Yes I get the whole progression and ladder etc but the facts are the league and standard of football and commitment from the players playing for clubs is poor and not even close to the standard it was in the old set up and you can't get away from that. 

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11 minutes ago, Dave Deacon said:

Not sure I understand what you mean by this?

East Cornwall one league south western one league. 

To me the old set up you won east Cornwall you went into the southwestern league-top league with the likes of st blazey flying high etc. Not if you win the east Cornwall you go into a lower tier of that so how anyone can say the standard of the east Cornwall league is as strong as it used to be is a joke. 

Im not saying a disagree with the new setup at all I'm just saying the east Cornwall now isn't as good as the east Cornwall of old! 

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26 minutes ago, rob brown said:

you won east Cornwall you went into the southwestern league

Before the SWPL came about, there wasn't any promotion/relegation feeder league system though!

Wasn't it a case of if there was a space, a club would have to apply and be voted in?

Whereas now, providing your ground meets the requirements and you finish high enough in your feeder league, promotion will happen.

The promotion/relegation was one of the "selling points" of the new league - however that went down the pan with clubs not taking promotion!

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1 hour ago, Dave Deacon said:

Before the SWPL came about, there wasn't any promotion/relegation feeder league system though!

Wasn't it a case of if there was a space, a club would have to apply and be voted in?

Whereas now, providing your ground meets the requirements and you finish high enough in your feeder league, promotion will happen.

The promotion/relegation was one of the "selling points" of the new league - however that went down the pan with clubs not taking promotion!

Agreed which is why I like the new system from that point of view-but people saying the east Cornwall league is as good as it always was is a lie. It's the equivalent to what was duchy prem in the old setup. 

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Leagues exsist to provide the oportunity for people to play the game on a competitive, structured platform. The standard of any league depends upon the ability of the players who wish to play in it and cannot be determined by a committee however hard they work: the important thing is that clubs are playing at a level they can sustain both on and off the field and that leagues and clubs continue to find enough volunteers to keep going!

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On 20/05/2017 at 11:45, rob brown said:

Agreed which is why I like the new system from that point of view-but people saying the east Cornwall league is as good as it always was is a lie. It's the equivalent to what was duchy prem in the old setup. 

That's always going to be the case when you promote a whole host of clubs and get very little back. Look at the Western League. Twenty years ago it had Tiverton, Taunton, Mangotsfield, Paulton, Chippenham, Bridgwater, Bideford, Barnstaple, Manor Farm and Larkhall, all of whom have got promoted to the Southern League, with only Clevedon and (for the coming season) Bridgwater coming back down. No wonder it's a shadow of it's former self.

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To go back to part of ECLP's first post on this thread, I quote below from the Standard Code of Rules (and ECPL Rules) 

 10(F)     (i)  Home and away matches shall be played. In the event of a Club failing to keep its engagement the Management Committee shall have power to inflict a fine, deduct points from the defaulting Club, award the points from the match in question to the opponents, order the defaulting Club to pay any expenses incurred by the opponents or otherwise deal with them except the award of goals.  Notwithstanding the foregoing home and away provision, the Management Committee shall have power to order a match to be played on a neutral ground or on the opponent’s ground if they are satisfied that such action is warranted by the circumstances.

So, no Rule change necessary, the decision not to deduct points was obviously one taken by the Management Committee - which they're perfectly entitled to do.

 

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2 hours ago, John Mead said:

To go back to part of ECLP's first post on this thread, I quote below from the Standard Code of Rules (and ECPL Rules) 

 10(F)     (i)  Home and away matches shall be played. In the event of a Club failing to keep its engagement the Management Committee shall have power to inflict a fine, deduct points from the defaulting Club, award the points from the match in question to the opponents, order the defaulting Club to pay any expenses incurred by the opponents or otherwise deal with them except the award of goals.  Notwithstanding the foregoing home and away provision, the Management Committee shall have power to order a match to be played on a neutral ground or on the opponent’s ground if they are satisfied that such action is warranted by the circumstances.

So, no Rule change necessary, the decision not to deduct points was obviously one taken by the Management Committee - which they're perfectly entitled to do.

 

I thought that was the case but following ECPL's response I assumed the ECPL League had not adopted all the standardised rules (I believe leagues can opt out of some rules).

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