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Cornwall FA St Piran League statement - Thurs May 16 2019

Dave Deacon
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Dave Deacon Premier Contributor

Dave Deacon

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St Piran Statement

Background

In September 2018 an announcement was made that the Carlsberg South West Peninsula League would only be operating two divisions at Step 6 of the National League Football Pyramid as part of a national re-structure by The FA.

In addition to this it was decided that in Cornwall and Devon there would be 3 divisions operating at Step 7, 1 in Cornwall and 2 in Devon. These would be run by newly created leagues and committees with the support of the respective County FA’s.

Initially teams were asked to submit expressions of interest by the 31st December 2018 if they wished to participate in these leagues. The initial response was positive with over 28 submissions to play in the Cornwall League.

These teams were then asked to confirm their intentions to participate in the league by submitting a formal application and a deposit of £100 by the 31st March 2019. Again the response was positive with 20 clubs submitting an application.

Unfortunately over the last few weeks several teams have made the decision to withdraw from the league, the reason that has been cited by every club for their withdrawal has been concerns over travelling due to teams in the league being drawn from all over the County, as far West as Mousehole and as far East as Saltash.

Having listened to these concerns Cornwall FA held a meeting with the St Piran League, East Cornwall Premier League and Cornwall Combination League to look at a way forward.

It is extremely important to note that the County is mandated by the FA to operate a Step 7 league. There must be an opportunity for clubs to progress into and through the National League System and play at the highest standard possible, along with the funding opportunities that this provides.

Additionally it would be highly unfair for any league at Step 7 to be heavily populated by teams from one area of the County, thus creating barriers in place for ambitious teams based in different areas.

New Proposals

Taking into consideration all of the above points The St Piran League will now operate with two divisions, with the intention being that each division will be comprised of no more than 16 teams There will be an East Cornwall Division and a West Cornwall Division.

Priority for entry will be given to those teams that participated at Step 7 during the 2018/19 season and to those teams who submitted a formal application along with deposit and who have not, at any time during the process submitted a notification of withdrawal. 

 

Therefore the current membership of The St Piran League is as follows

East Division

West Division

   

Bude Town

Ludgvan

AFC St Austell Reserves

Penryn Atheltic

Wadebridge Town Reserves

St Day

St Dennis Reserves

Helston Athletic Reserves

 

Falmouth Town Reserves

 

Perranwell

 

Hayle

 

Wendron United Reserves

 

St Agnes

 

Mousehole Reserves

 

We have space in the league for a further 12 teams based in East Cornwall and 6 teams based in West Cornwall, entry criteria are listed below in order of precedence:

East Division

a.         Those ECPL Premier Division clubs who have paid a deposit and subsequently withdrawn their      application but now wish to reconsider.

b.         Those ECPL Premier Division clubs who may now wish to apply to join the League

c.         Those ECPL Division One clubs who may now wish to apply.

d.         Those Duchy League Premier Division clubs who may now wish to apply.

 West Division

a.         Those Combination League clubs who have withdrawn their application but now wish to reconsider.

b.         Those Combination League clubs who may now wish to apply to join the League.

c.         Those Trelawny League Premier Division clubs who may now wish to apply.

It should be noted that Step 7 Leagues are County based, applications from Devon based clubs competing in the ECPL or Duchy League will not be accepted

Additional

The ECPL and Cornwall Combination Leagues will continue to act as feeder leagues for the St Piran League and will be formed from teams who do not apply to The St Piran League and teams who make applications to join from The Duchy League and Trelawny League.

Once we know the teams for The St Piran League we will work closely with The ECPL, Cornwall Combination League, Duchy League and Trelawny League to establish their constitutions for the 2019/20 season.

Should anyone have any questions please contact Richard Pallot of Cornwall FA on 01208 262983 or email richard.pallot@cornwallfa.com

THE CUT-OFF DATE IS 24th MAY. All Applications to the St Piran League by then

Mick Throbsaw Contributor

Mick Throbsaw

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It seems at last that a slightly logical and obvious decision has been made! Albeit about 9 months too late.  I am sure this suggestion as mentioned at the time this league was talked about and decided.  Wonder how many teams that have pulled out recently will now revoke their withdrawal and want in again.  A bit of common sense finally. It's a well done from me.

burt Premier Contributor

burt

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21 minutes ago, cornishteddyboy said:

Thing is, if another 6 teams join from the Combo we will be left with 5 sides. This could spell the end of the Combo as we would need 11 sides from the Trelawny. They may make us join the Trelawny!

Combo has been stuck in the dark ages for to long!! 

burt Premier Contributor

burt

Posted
Posted
27 minutes ago, cornishteddyboy said:

Thing is, if another 6 teams join from the Combo we will be left with 5 sides. This could spell the end of the Combo as we would need 11 sides from the Trelawny. They may make us join the Trelawny!

Combo has been stuck in the dark ages for to long!! This looks like a chance for a big change! About time in my eyes. 😃

Pitty Premier Contributor

Pitty

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These leagues are now Combo and ECPL in all but name! Same standard same players......same teams! On that evidence I don’t see why the remaining combo and ECPL sides would wish to remain where they are as the travelling issue has gone.........The burning question I would pose now though with this new development is where does that leave the Combo & ECPL do they continue (with no teams!) or are they to be made up of sides from the top division of Duchy and Trelawny respectively?......Combo and ECPL been thrown under a bit of a bus here unfortunately. The FA have created a step 7 league with the same format that was already there

kevin richards Premier Contributor

kevin richards

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15 minutes ago, Rob1978 said:

Why can’t Combination and East Cornwall league just be given step 7 status? Surely far simpler 🤔

Because if they do that, all their impractical, petty, shite, ground grading regulations would go out the window. This is step 7 you know. 🙄🤬🤬🤬

Nick Pope Premier Contributor

Nick Pope

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If the ECPL was given Step 7 status then some clubs wouldnt qualify due to grounds (as mentioned). Plus what committee would run that league/division?  Also the ECPL allows for Devon teams where as any Cornish Step 7 wouldn't. Plymstock a prime example as their 1sts will be Devon Step 7 but their reserves currently ECPL Prem would be kicked out (which the ECPL vowed not to happen to any member clubs). St Piran League will be the Cornish Step 7 and all others will sit under or not exist. Same in Devon Step 7 having 4 recreational leagues P&WD, D&E, ND and SD sat under even after loosing so may teams!

Nick Pope Premier Contributor

Nick Pope

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Posted

I think it was set up as 1 because currently you have Cornish teams in SWPL Prem and Div One West.

With all Cornish teams now in new SWPL Prem West (and a couple maybe Prem East 🙄) it may have been thought that who ever didn't get in Prem and those who wanted to step up a level that this would then fill the new St Piran League (replacing current SWPL Div One West).

Lets not forget SWPL Div One West went from one end of Cornwall all the way into Devon anyway so in theory the St Piran distances are smaller!

Problem was always going to be finding those extra teams to fill it (reserves or not) and do something they are not accustomed too covering all of the county!

John Mead Premier Contributor

John Mead

Posted
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1 hour ago, kevin richards said:

Because if they do that, all their impractical, petty, shite, ground grading regulations would go out the window. This is step 7 you know. 🙄🤬🤬🤬

They've gone already Kevin! 

le boss Premier Contributor

le boss

Posted
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2 hours ago, kevin richards said:

Because if they do that, all their impractical, petty, shite, ground grading regulations would go out the window. This is step 7 you know. 🙄🤬🤬🤬

And Vidal would lose the Cornwall Combination Vidal James Cup Final each year.....😰

ECPL Premier Contributor

ECPL

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Posted

What a complete and utter farce. Season ends 2020. In the East Saltash Reserves pip Torpoint Athletic Reserves and St Austell Reserves. And in the West Helston Reserves beat Falmouth Town Reserves to the title. Everyone turns up for the first ever end of season play off game to see who gets promoted (I assume that is the case). Ooooooooooooooooops sorry. Reserve sides cant get promotion. So much for clubs to progress up the ladder.   The vindictive bullying FA have now had their way. They have destroyed the Combo league but luckily the ECPL will still be able to field a league of 16 teams.

John Mead Premier Contributor

John Mead

Posted
Posted
1 minute ago, ECPL said:

What a complete and utter farce. Season ends 2020. In the East Saltash Reserves pip Torpoint Athletic Reserves and St Austell Reserves. And in the West Helston Reserves beat Falmouth Town Reserves to the title. Everyone turns up for the first ever end of season play off game to see who gets promoted (I assume that is the case). Ooooooooooooooooops sorry. Reserve sides cant get promotion. So much for clubs to progress up the ladder.   The vindictive bullying FA have now had their way. They have destroyed the Combo league but luckily the ECPL will still be able to field a league of 16 teams.

Such scenarios are catered for with the proposed St Piran League rules.

You may recall that there were discussions 2 years ago about a merger between the Combo and Trelawny Leagues; these were put on hold when the new Step 7 League was proposed. In my opinion, now would be the time for discussions to resume. The "structure" - in the west at least - would be much more straight forward.

Flabby Cabbie Contributor

Flabby Cabbie

Posted
Posted
12 minutes ago, ECPL said:

What a complete and utter farce. Season ends 2020. In the East Saltash Reserves pip Torpoint Athletic Reserves and St Austell Reserves. And in the West Helston Reserves beat Falmouth Town Reserves to the title. Everyone turns up for the first ever end of season play off game to see who gets promoted (I assume that is the case). Ooooooooooooooooops sorry. Reserve sides cant get promotion. So much for clubs to progress up the ladder.   The vindictive bullying FA have now had their way. They have destroyed the Combo league but luckily the ECPL will still be able to field a league of 16 teams.

Now the travelling issue has been addressed who's to say other ECPL teams wont apply 

kevin richards Premier Contributor

kevin richards

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, le boss said:

And Vidal would lose the Cornwall Combination Vidal James Cup Final each year.....😰

Still the best ground to watch a game of football on a sunny Sunday afternoon Bash. Ask the 400 plus that were there. & of course the clubs Voted for it to be there. !

Dave Deacon Premier Contributor

Dave Deacon

Posted
  • Author
Posted
2 minutes ago, Rightside O`theriver said:

And not a whimper or a whine to be heard …………. a world of difference to the west.

Not quite so sure its all well amongst the officialdom however! 

Nick Pope Premier Contributor

Nick Pope

Posted
Posted
25 minutes ago, Dave Deacon said:

Not quite so sure its all well amongst the officialdom however! 

The South Devon League has lost quite a few teams and so has the Devon & Exeter League.

 

Steve Carpenter Premier Contributor

Steve Carpenter

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I'm not going to go over old ground here as there's little to be gained from that.  Those of us that put ourselves forward to run with this project could only deal with the scenario we were presented with and we've given it our best shot.  The situation we found ourselves in over the last week or so was not where we wanted to end up but we did.  It had been anticipated as a possibility but only when we very quickly got to the the weekend situation could we get definitive answers as to what would be an acceptable solution.

We now move ahead with a positive approach and a revised plan that meets the FA's mandate.  During the course of today we have had 6 firm applications to join and advance notice of another 2 so the early signs are good.   We'll see where we are on the 24th and go from there.  

John Mead Premier Contributor

John Mead

Posted
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4 hours ago, isaac rosenberg said:

St Just FC would like to reanimate their application and to join the Western Section of the new St Piran League, Steve. 

Application would need to be via the official channels, rather than on here!

Mr Justice Premier Contributor

Mr Justice

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3 minutes ago, isaac rosenberg said:

Thanks, John. Are you applying as Mousehole Reserves ?

They could possibly do what Goodolphin Athletic (Newquay) FC have just done one SWPL P.  

Mousehole (Penzance) AFC

baldy Premier Contributor

baldy

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Posted
16 minutes ago, Mr Justice said:

They could possibly do what Goodolphin Athletic (Newquay) FC have just done one SWPL P.  

Mousehole (Penzance) AFC

What have the G done???

PzFan Contributor

PzFan

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Posted
3 minutes ago, baldy said:

What have the G done???

Changed their name to include (Newquay) as extra wording. Now known as Godolphin Atlantic (Newquay) FC

Mick Throbsaw Contributor

Mick Throbsaw

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On ‎20‎/‎05‎/‎2019 at 13:25, John Mead said:

Application would need to be via the official channels, rather than on here!

Thought this was official Isaac? Oh no, sticking your beak in and got it wrong.

Good luck to St Just for the season ahead, going to need it if this clown is involved.

isaac rosenberg Premier Contributor

isaac rosenberg

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Posted

Hardly, Mick. I was a Club Secretary for over a decade. Like the Flappers on Swift's isle of Laputa,  I find a little external stimulus sometimes gets machinery to sputter into life.

It's like smacking a newborn to get it breathing. :thumbsup:

Ian Pethick Premier Contributor

Ian Pethick

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On ‎20‎/‎05‎/‎2019 at 20:34, baldy said:

Well at least that gives people some idea of who they are!

For a minute I thought they had proposed a merger!

Let's not start talking mergers again... :unsure:

WendronOfficial Premier Contributor

WendronOfficial

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@Steve Carpenter or @cornishteddyboy (or anyone else)...

Am I right in saying that although the Combination League and Trelawny Premier are classed as recreational, and in that regards are on equal groundings; is the Combination League a tier above the Trelawny League?  If not, how will promotion/relegation to the St Piran’s work? Will they take from both leagues? Could you be relegated to either league? 

Also, with promotion beginning to be enforced on clubs - would promotion to St Piran’s from Combination/Trelawny be enforced on a club should they finish high enough and ground pass (unless the club already have a team in the league)? And the same for promotion out of St Piran’s? Will it be enforced as long as the club don’t already have a team at that next step?

Thanks 

Steve Carpenter Premier Contributor

Steve Carpenter

Posted
Posted
2 hours ago, WendronOfficial said:

@Steve Carpenter or @cornishteddyboy (or anyone else)...

Am I right in saying that although the Combination League and Trelawny Premier are classed as recreational, and in that regards are on equal groundings; is the Combination League a tier above the Trelawny League?  If not, how will promotion/relegation to the St Piran’s work? Will they take from both leagues? Could you be relegated to either league? 

Also, with promotion beginning to be enforced on clubs - would promotion to St Piran’s from Combination/Trelawny be enforced on a club should they finish high enough and ground pass (unless the club already have a team in the league)? And the same for promotion out of St Piran’s? Will it be enforced as long as the club don’t already have a team at that next step?

Thanks 

Crikey there's a few questions in there!  The answers equally apply to the eastern leagues.

The Combination League is ranked above the Trelawny League in County Rule 3 'Ranking of Leagues'.

Promotion into and relegation from the St Piran League (West) is from and to the Combination League only - unless they don't get their numbers to be viable confirmed and merge with Trelawny in which case the top division of that league would be the feeder for St Piran (West).  That will become clear over the next couple of days.  Any club voluntarily withdrawing from St Piran (West) at the end of the season will be assured of a place in the Combination League. 

Promotion is only being made mandatory at Step 6 and above, it is not being enforced below that level.  Clubs from St Piran seeking promotion to the Peninsula League have to apply to the FA by 31st December.  Clubs from the Combination wishing to be promoted St Piran have to apply to the League by 31st December.  The top 2 are eligible but there are other criteria covering differing circumstances where the club finishing as low as 5th could be considered.  Ground grading will be a factor but will be subject to any FA dispensations in place at the time.  A maximum of 50% of the St Piran League constitution may be reserve teams. 

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