SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS FOOTBALL LEAGUE LIMITED
MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
HELD ON SATURDAY JUNE 27th (VIRTUALLY BY ZOOM SOFTWARE)
COMMENCING 1030am
Present: Pat Burns (Chairman), Management Board Members: Alan Banbury, Larry Corkrey, John Chidley, Peter Clayton, Tony Forrester, Bob Flight, Bill Hamilton, Dave Henman, Nigel Hickes, Mike Taylor, Tony Weight, Richard Willson.
Jamie Appleby and Georgina Teague (Social Media Officers)
Also in attendance: Eric Harrison and Bill Scholes (Vice-Presidents)
All member clubs except MK Gallacticos FC were present, together with Berkhamsted Comrades.
WELCOME
The Chairman, Pat Burns welcomed everyone to this unusual and unprecedented Annual General Meeting made necessary by the Covid 19 Pandemic. He expressed deep sadness at the passing of Mike Appleby the General Secretary, Isaac Jempeji the Appointments Officer for Division 1 and Division 2 and John Thompson a Management Committee member who had served the League for many years and any other persons who were connected to the family and friends of members clubs.
A few moments of silence were held as a mark of respect.
- APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received from Martyn Mitchell, Chris Hartley (newly appointed Appointments Officer for Division 1 and 2) and Clive Moyse.
- ADOPTION OF STANDING ORDERS FOR SEASON 2020-2021
These were agreed.
- MINUTES
The minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on 22nd June 2019, having previously been circulated were confirmed as a true record.
- CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
Pat Burns referred all present to his report, which had been previously circulated and was adopted.
- ANNUAL ACCOUNTS
The Annual Accounts previously circulated, were formally approved.
- LEAGUE CONSTITUTION SEASON 2020-2021
The Chairman explained that it was not possible to confirm the constitution for next season, as it had not yet been agreed by the Football Association (FA). A meeting of the FA Leagues Committee is to be held on the 14th July, when it is hoped that all League constitutions will be finalised.
- ELECTION OF OFFICERS, VICE PRESIDENTS, MANAGEMENT BOARD and ACCOUNTANTS
This document had been previously circulated and required approval for the posts of President, Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Management Board Members. All other posts were appointed by the League Management Committee. This was approved.
- FEES AND FINES TARIFF
The Chairman said that these would be the same as last season except for the concession of a waiver of subscriptions for continuing member clubs. He also said the level of Officials’ fees would be reviewed due to the current drop in the price of fuel, but not until a firm date for the new season had been confirmed.
- REGULATIONS FOR THE OPERATION OF THE NATIONAL LEAGUE SYSTEM 2020-2021
These had not yet been agreed by the FA. However, amendments had been circulated to the Regulations to close season 2019-2020, which were mandatory.
- FA STANDARDISED RULES
The Chairman said these were mandatory for the Premier and Division 1 only, but were to be approved and issued by the FA in July.
- STANDARD CODE OF RULES
These were also mandatory for Division Two, but had not yet been received from the FA/County FA.
- NATIONAL LEAGUE SYSTEM PRMOTION/RELEGATION PROCEDURES
These were to be received in July.
- SEASON 2020-2021
The Chairman explained that it was not possible at this time to confirm start and finish dates for next season. The FA is working closely with the Department of Culture, Media and Sport and further guidance will follow.
- ANY OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business to be discussed. However, The Chairman asked if there were any questions or points on which clarification was required.
- QUESTIONS
Ground Inspections
In answer to a question about revising and updating the current guidance, Tony Weight replied this was to be discussed in the near future by the Respect, Discipline and Referees’ Committee.
Opening Clubhouses
The Chairman said he had raised this question with the FA, but had yet to receive a reply.
Recurrence of Covid 19 with a second lockdown
The Chairman said the League had been asked to respond to the FA by the 3rd July, about what should happen if the next playing season was stopped due to a second lockdown. The League was considering its reply.
Local areas in lockdown following a spike in Covid 19 infections
The Chairman said this was a very important point to raise as players and officials might not be willing to travel to a club where there was a local lockdown. He would raise this particular point with the FA and hoped it would be contained in any formal guidance that was issued.
Completing last Season’s League Cup competitions
The Chairman replied that because the season would be starting late it would not be possible to complete last season’s League Cup competitions.
Position regarding new footballs for next playing season
The Chairman replied that new footballs had been ordered and they would be used only on the Premier Division. The existing stock of footballs would be used on the other Divisions. The new footballs had been delayed in production and the intention is to deliver them in time for the start of the season.
Notice given regarding the start date of the new season
It was intended to give a month’s notice of the start of the new season, but this would depend on when clearance to restart was given.
Temperature checks on players and officials.
There was no intention to have temperature checks, unless directed by the FA. However, individual clubs could do so.
New Constitution
The Chairman said he thought the constitution would remain largely the same, but there was a possibility of the odd lateral movement.
- CONCLUSION
The Chairman thanked all clubs and committee members for their attention and declared the meeting closed at 11-16am.