AGM Report 2021
NORTHERN COUNTIES SCHOOLS FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION
Minutes of the ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2021.
This was a meeting held via Microsoft Teams at 7pm on Monday 14th June 2021.
1. Attendance:
Cheshire: John Clark
Cumbria: Paul Tickner
Cleveland: Simon Carey
Durham: Keith Gilbertson, Alan Johnston
Greater Manchester: N/A
Lancashire: Michael Timberlake
Merseyside: Joe Ryan, J Lysett.
Northumberland: Neil Pont, Chris Newman
North Yorkshire: Richard Davis, J Wharton
South Yorkshire: N/A
West Yorkshire: Tom Walton
Secretary: Peter Tracey
2. Apologies:
Geoff Wainwright, Stephen Gates, Tony James.
3. In Memoriam
Tribute was paid to Dave Prothero who had given his time, energy, interest, enthusiasm to promoting Football in Schools throughout the Northern Counties over many years. We shall miss him..
4. Minutes of the AGM 2020
These had been widely distributed and were approved as a true record
5. Matters arising
None
6. Correspondence
The secretary read aloud a letter received from Mark Sturgeon, secretary of the South East Counties SFA, which asked for views on a proposal to stage matches between the champions at each age group from each of the four Regional Associations. A discussion followed, and the general view of the NCSFA members present was that the proposal might be construed as undermining the ESFA, and seen as a kind of snub to our parent body at a time when many aspects of Schools Football was in flux. The possible costs of such a set of matches was also considered as a risk not worth taking at this stage.
7. Secretary Report - Peter Tracey
The report had been widely circulated before the meeting, and dealt with ESFA developments and the effects on NCSFA counties. It was pleasing to note that despite the ESFA proposals, there had been no noticeable impact on entries to the NCSFA comps.
8. Finance Report - Peter Tracey
i) The Secretary presented a report, as a Treasurer had not yet been found as a successor to the late Dave Prothero. The report had been widely circulated.
ii) It was noted that ESFA would not be donating any grant, which had been £2000 in previous years. Further it was emphasised that in order to be sustainable in the medium term we needed to use balances to a limited extent to allow income to cover expenditure.
iii) Following a brief discussion, it was agreed as follows
1 Affiliation fee by each County to be £125 for, which season 2021-22
2 An entry fee of £20 per team per competition to be levied for 21-22
3 Agreed to use balances to meet any shortfall on income over expenditure in 21-22
4 Noted that there would be several mitigating factors affecting expenditure in 21-22.
iv) Appointment of Treasurer. The meeting accepted and welcomed the nomination of Mr David Balme of Northumberland as Treasurer for the coming season. Mr Balme has no connection with Schools or Football but is a qualified accountant serving in a very senior position within Further Education at Newcastle College, and well known and recommended by both the Secretary and the Auditor, Chris Newman.
9. Auditors Report
As there had been no activity during the season 20-21, the Auditor report for the previous season was still in place.
10. Election of Officers for season 2021-22
Chairman: Tom Walton (West Yorkshire)
Vice Chairman: Derek Pearson (Cheshire)
Secretary: Peter Tracey
Treasurer: David Balme
Auditor: Chris Newman
CWO: Alan Johnston
WebMaster: Neil Pont
11. Proposal
Proposed by the Secretary
Seconded by M Timberlake (Lancashire SFA)
It was agreed as follows
i) Paragraph 6 of the NCSFA Competition Rules to be updated with the preface as follows:
“In all age-group NCSFA Competitions, the rules and guidelines for eligibility of players shall be those as described by ESFA for those same age-group competitions.
ii) Paragraph 6(e) to be amended to read as follows, the addition in bold italics:
Only bona-fide scholars receiving full-time education in accordance with the Education Acts, who are on the roll of a school or College, affiliated to the County Association, and which holds a current DfE Registration number, who are over the age of 16 years and under the age of 18 years at midnight between the previous 31st August and 1st September shall be allowed to take part in the Regional Competition. (Year 12 and 13). As above, the ESFA guidance notes on Under 18 eligibility shall apply at all times.
12. Trophy names
Proposal
Proposed by the Secretary, Seconded by S Carey (Cleveland SFA)
It was unanimously agreed as follows
The NCSFA Trophy for Boys Under 16 shall be named in honour of Dave Prothero.
Proposal
Proposed by the secretary, Seconded by Durham SFA
It was unanimously agreed as follows
The NCSFA Trophy for Boys Under 18 shall be named in honour of Malcolm Berry.
13. Chairman 2021-22
Tom Walton, West Yorkshire SFA, was installed for the coming season. He thanked everyone for their continued support of Schools Football, and participation in the meeting. Hopefully we can get back to more normal arrangements soon.
14. Date of next meeting
It was agreed that the Second Monday of June 2022, June 13th, be the date of the next meeting. It may be either a virtual meeting or one attended in person.
Peter Tracey. Hon Secretary, June 16 2021.