The problem, if you want to call it that, with some clubs/players in the premier division is that certain players, and that is quite a few, have had fines paid by their respective clubs and it can add up to quite an amount, and are therefore pretty much tied to that club.

So basically, unless sunday clubs bring good, hungry young players in, or players from outside the area, the top sides are going to be the top sides for a while yet.

Yet again, Durhams get rich quick scheme benefits only them, not players, and certainly not clubs...

Your right in that its an issue but one which is easily avoided in that players pay their own fines.

The top clubs who cover these for players know exactly what they are doing and that they can hold on to these players.

Ideally it should be the player who has to sort this out with Durham direct. Also capping how many a team can have signed on would help.


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Totally agree with everything you say.... but will never happen..

There will always be clubs who use this method to hold on to their players.

And Durham Fa will never hold a player personally responsible for their own fines, they know they have more chance of getting their money by holding the club to ransom.

I spoke to John Topping at a county game, about exactly the same issue he just looked at me smiled, and shook his head....

As mentioned earlier in this thread, we came days away from folding as a result of a large fine for a player who we couldn't get hold of.

would it be wrong of me to question why so many seem to have disciple problems?

How come so many are getting booked and sent off?

The game has changed at pro level, and junior level, yet the sunday league seems stuck in the 1980s.

Is that the case?

We didn't get any reds this season just 3/4 yellows.

Some players seem intent on fighting, flying in and kicking off at any small injustice.

Maybe it's a small penis thing, or they just wanna try n look hard, or they have a screw loose


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There are many things that need resolving as far as I'm concerned.

* The us and them scenario with officials needs to change, players, manager's, coaches in the main don't always understand the laws of the game, especially as they are constantly changing, regular meetings between both party's could help this.

* Players have to learn to accept decisions made by officials, right or wrong, I have yet to see one changed by growling threats at them.

* Officials need to realise a lot of hard work goes into these clubs by willing volunteers and rather than adopting an unapproachable, holier than thou approach, explain decisions, respect works both ways.

* "Everyone" involved should get together to work out a method that doesn't kill clubs off with Durhams ridiculous money making, fines policy, there's a reason they are the richest FA in the country. (If "all" clubs got together and refused to pay these extortionate club and player fines, the men in the white tower would have to do something about it.

My last snoozefest meeting tonight

Will the be restructuring the leagues tonight then as the premier league only has 9 teams in it?

I've heard greatham have already been offered and accepted a place in the prem. I imagine it will be 12/13/13 if both new teams get elected although one is catholic club who have dropped out the prem so maybe they won't get voted in.


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is that taking The Aths resignation into account?

Nope, has it officially gone in? Massive shame.


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Yup it went in.. No teams have been relegated and an additional team from both Div 1 and Div 2 promoted. 2 new teams joining.

This roll on roll off subs is gunna be bloody redic next season


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was that voted in by clubs or pushed in by Durham?

I know it was used in county cup last year and games became severely disrupted especially towards the end with teams trying to kill time and the refs struggling to know what's happening. Stupid.

Surprised they let catholic club back in. I'm guessing we are going to roll on roll off? Durham league has used it and haven't really seen any complaints.

I think it was us as a league who rejected it last year but the fa said that every league from this season had to have it with no opt out.


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It's pretty much 99% certain to come into effect 2015/2016 season so league recommended it goes ahead now to get used to it.

Ah I see, I knew there was something about the fa pushing it through at some point.

What you doing next year Joe? Stepping away from pearl bar?


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Haven't decided yet, 100% done with the secretary side of things though. Might go back to just playing.

Is it true that this team have dropped part of their name and have added FC next to the remaining part of their name, and will be the first official senior team of a certain boys club?

There going back to be called Greatham Bull & Dog as far as I'm aware ADG

I managed in the Durham league when the roll on roll off was trialed, the good points were, it suited clubs who struggled with small match day squads, also, it give you time to take off a player who had lost the plot a bit and give him time to calm down.

On the down side big ball winners being thrown on for corners then took back off, continuous subs when a team was 1-0 up toward the end of the game so good and bad, depends which side of the coin your on.

It sounds shit and totally farcical to me like!!!!

it works well in kids footy, and stops the parents kicking off as they know their little hero will get a game.

Works less well when the kids get older and the parents little hero turns out to be shit, but still expects a run out.

Would be stupid at Adult level.

I thought they were already called that?

How many in each division then Joe?

Before the meeting I emailed John & James regarding the £18k league funds and £2.5k profit this season. I guess they came prepared to the meeting with their offer of £120 back to each club next year to celebrate the league being 50 years old.

A little annoying as the league could afford to do it this year, and I would have felt a dick demanding they pay it out earlier. Its a fair gesture I suppose and hopefully something that can be continued.

I think it is kind of strange how they ask two clubs to sign the accounts to act as an audit, when its basically a sheet over paper with a few figures listed. I work in finance/accounts and that is far from an audit. Receipts, statements and the like - I wonder if that is ever kept and anyone checks them? Suppose I should have asked last night but then it'll probably come across as an accusation so there isn't any way to do it innocently.

The 5 subs roll on roll off thing will probably not be an issue for my team and is something I voted for, mostly for reasons Chip has stated above. Many times this season I have 4-5 subs and never been able to field them all. Its the worst part of management having to choose which lad(s) will get stripped up, stand in the cold and not play.

Common sense should prevail and I doubt there will be a great deal of abuse, not in division one anyway.

Phil for example, I am pretty sure we could agree before the game not to take the piss out of each other and disrupt the game too much by making hundreds of substitutions. Knowing every other division one manager I think I could get the same agreement.

Perhaps a different story in the top division as things are taken alot more seriously.

Prem - 11
Div 1 - 11
Div 2 - 12

11?

Jesus wept.

Why didnt they just put 17 in each and have a proper league?

Cheers, hopefully no dropouts during season can't really afford for leagues to go any lower.

I'd be more than happy to make that agreement Ben.


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Prem = 11
Div 1 = 11
Div 2 = 12

Catholic Club folded and came back in in division 2. I think normally people would take exception to this behaviour but given the amount of teams that dropped out and the fact they ended the season on 1 point then people weren't bothered.

The points you make over it are certainly valid. I've spoke to my assistant regarding it n he isn't in favour of rolling subs so we will probably just take advantage of the fact you can now use 5 subs, which for me I'm still not fussed on as from a purely selfish point if view making 5 changes could really ruin the flow of the team or the shape, but I see your point with lads getting a run out n their was a few times last year when I wished I could have put more lads on as the bench was strong.

From an admin point of view I don't look forward to seeing the team sheets n how these rolling subs are monitored, with every single change having to be documented.

Sounds like more fines coming our way n topping up coopers holiday fund.

How do the refs cope with the constant rolling subs chip? If a team is taking the piss do refs say anything about it?


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Is it just me or does the sunday league seem to be going the way of the Saturday church league?...
I can remember when that was one of the strongest around, and was well represented.

It worries me the way our local game in general, is going, as has been mentioned before its time for the powers that be to stop feathering their own nests and get together with the "real" football people, those who actually do something to keep these clubs going and come to a resolution...

What about the good players though who want to play full 90 mins, they won't be happy if they are being brought off after 75 mins,just to give a player who isn't good enough 15 mins.

I can see how it would work in the Over 40s due to travelling distances involved. I went to Consett once and never got on, was fookin livid, spoilt my Saturday, needless to say I never went back the following week.

From a player manager perspective it's a bloody nightmare having to make 3 subs let alone 5 or rotating players on and off. Second half I can feel eyes on me all game with people itching to get on.

With 5 subs able to come on now I'm gunna be bringing players on just for the sake of it, defenders on upfront just to give them 10 minutes.

It's not a decision I voted for, it's the suits at the Fa who've never kicked a ball in their life sticking their nose in trying to show they are doing something about grass roots footy when really they couldn't care less.

We had to pay Durham Fa £20 today just to change our name for next season, some women will have sat there n just pressed delete 7 times on a keyboard then wrote in the new name, maybe sent an email to someone or a quick phone call, why does that really justify £20?


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Its only a squad game, in that you have to keep the squad players happy. Otherwise they wont be around to make the numbers up.

There is no such thing as a squad game really.

If you want to win you play your best team always.

By giving the subs a good run out you are just giving the other team more chance.

Catch 22 I suppose

We had a squad of about 19 players last season, we probably had the smallest in the league, it worked to our advantage as it was mostly the same lads every week, the back four was the same every week from November till the end of the season.

I'm here to win games. That's my first thought.


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Completely agree with you chip, my point probably came across wrong there, I've played for this team for 8 years n we've been tonked so many times I've forgotten, we've worked hard to secure sponsorship through a good pub, got a good set of lads, like yourself I dislike non of them, n it's took a whole to get there so this year to do well and win felt all the more sweeter, it feels earned.

I've got 3 boys at home now that I should really be spending my Sundays with, and in a year or 2 ill pack this in n probably do that, so it's been great this year to win the league n get some enjoyment with good friends n players.

I'd never do that get promoted n go back to the start if we struggle rubbish, I've seen a few teams do that it's cringe worthy.

Of course I play for the social side n the fun, winning a bit was just very nice for a change.


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Fair point Chip! Team spirit is not something I usually have a problem with, but on this occasion I could see a pattern developing, it was a club I joined through a mate, so I was an outsider, not the best player by any stretch of the imagination, but with games could of I believe forced myself into first eleven I think. Of course this is difficult if you don't get games. We have seen this at pools over the years, certain players play well and get dropped, then have a bad game and get dropped, can't win. I may be making excuses but on this occasion I made an early decision and saved myself a lot of heartache. There was definitely a clique at this club and some lads who not were not necessarily good players who seemed immovable.

You are right about a bad player been signed in the first place, but as you know, players like that are signed just in case only 10 turn up, and in my experience of running a team these players are the most loyal,some are signed because they have a car, it stinks but that's life I suppose.

There is a difference between expecting to win things, and going out to win every game.

I have run junior teams for years and this has always cropped up.

If you are running a team for the benefit of as many lads as possible thats fine. As long as you make that clear from day one.

Otherwise your best players think you are a loser and move on. Then you barely win a game.

On the otherhand, if you never give the subs a run out then they leave, and you rely on the few to turn up every week.

the first week they dont, you play with 9 or 10, and get beat, and the house of cards starts to fall in.

But you should still go out and try and win every game. Otherwise whats the point?

Totally agree with that.

I've never been good enough to play football at any level (I tried Sunday stuff, and got fed up of standing on the sidelines most weeks, getting wet and cold) but I have skippered a cricket team and this is the attitude I took, particularly as it was a second team. At the start of the season, I had to have in mind what would happen in July and August when everyone was away on their hols, and I needed those fringe players to be around. I had guys who couldn't really bat or bowl, but were dead keen; you've just got to keep them interested. My basic rule was that if you bowled, the best you could hope for in the batting order was 7; that way, most got involved somehow. The benefit of cricket, of course, is that you can hide bad players in the field, and the poor batsmen never last long anyway. The biggest nightmare is the guy who is difficult to get out, but doesn't have any scoring shots. They can waste half an innings!

tell you how hard things are getting now.

My younguns team need a few new players, and may have to break the habit of a lifetime and bring in some lads from Norton and Stockton Ancients.

This will be the first time they are going to do this, and actually provide a team and facilities for lads out of the town.

They are hoping to avoid having to do this, as it would go against every promise they have made over the years.

But as another team in the town are also doing this, they probably have no choice.

So much for providing a football outlet for the lads of Hartlepool eh?

People and their false promises.

of course the end result here is, these lads will hang around for a while, but will go to clubs in their local area, when they are 18 and wont be playing in Hartlepool. Despite what they might say now.

Even less players coming through.

Chip which team you play for know I thought you finished about 8th in the league did greenies get promoted as well?

yeah they did, even tho the mighty lodge took 4 points off them.

So did use go up as well just seen chip say use got promoted too?

Why have the others left?
Is your lads team a Hartlepool team?

Catholic club signing half of touchdown ain't they or that's what I've been hearing. They'll probably do ok on Division 1 not much between the two division from what I've seen.