AGM Report 2023
NORTHERN COUNTIES SCHOOLS FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION
Minutes of the Annual General Meeting 2023 held on Monday 12 June at the West Riding FA, Woodlesford Leeds at 7pm
Chairman Derek Pearson (Cheshire)
Cheshire: John Clark,
Cumbria: Paul Tickner
Cleveland: Simon Carey, Chris Baty
Durham: Keith Gilbertson, Alan Johnston, Allan Reed
Greater Manchester: Non attendance
Lancashire: Michael Timberlake
Merseyside: Non attendance.
Northumberland: Owen Aiston Dennis Fulton, Chris Newman
North Yorkshire: John Wharton, Nick Truelove
South Yorkshire: Steve Maddock, Chris Daines
Staffordshire: Mark Warren
West Yorkshire Tom Walton,
Secretary Peter Tracey
Treasurer David Balme
2. Apologies for absence
Received from N. Pont, Greater Manchester SFA, G. Wainwright, J. Shippen, Merseyside SFA.
3. In Memoriam. A moment of silent reflection in memory of Geoff Reynolds, a long serving friend of Schools Football
4. The minutes of the AGM for 2022 were read and approved as a true record and there were no matters arising
5. Secretary Report for 22-23
The report had been circulated in good time for the meeting to all concerned. The secretary spoke to the various points made in the report, and the report was accepted.
The major points concerned:
- Fixture compliance and structure.
- The quality of our “product”.
- Expectations required of all member counties in fixtures.
- Secretary to retire and succession.
6. Treasurer Report
The Treasurer reported that the problems associated with the transfer of the banking arrangements, following the death of the previous treasurer, Dave Prothero, were now resolved and it was possible to see a clearer picture of our finances.
In season 2022/23, there was generous support from ESFA, and Capelli Sports that had allowed income of £5000, in addition to the Affiliation and Competition entry fees (£3545).
The scheme for financial support, 22/23, to counties was explained. For Home teams in Finals, £70 costs of Officials, and £100 to hire of ground. For away teams in semis and finals, travel at £1 per mile claimed.
At the year end we had total funds of £15,210 from which expenditure would need to be deducted, very largely to offset the costs of travel to semi Finals and Finals and the costs of Finals themselves, totalling £5,829
Effective reserves therefore at start of a new season and accounting year would be about £9300.
It was agreed that the accounts henceforth should be for the year ending May 31.
Funds had been transferred from the current account to the business account to allow some income from interest payments received.
It was proposed and seconded that the Affiliation fees for the new season 23-24 would remain at £125 and that competition entry fees per team per competition would remain at £20.
The accounts are still to be audited
David was thanked for his work and stewardship.
7. Election of Officers.
- Chairman: Simon Carey (Cleveland)
- Vice Chairman: Paul Tickner (Cumbria)
- Hon Secretary: Peter Tracey,
- Hon Treasurer: David Balme
- Hon Auditor: Chris Newman
- E.S.F.A. representatives: Alan Johnston, Richie Alderson
- CWO: Alan Johnston
- Web site editor: Neil Pont
8. Proposals
After discussion it was agreed to include into Section 7(h) of NCSFA Competition Rules as follows
7(h) iii All counties involved in a Championship for the season shall have played a minimum of two matches in their respective East or West side league before Christmas.
7(h)iv All qualifying Championship matches in both the East side and the West side shall be completed no later than the 28th February.
7(h)v Arrangements for the semi Finals, East v West and West v East shall be in place and matches played no later than the 31 March.
7(h)vi The Officers/management of NCSFA shall have the power to eliminate any team that is unable to meet these dateline conditions in a Championship competition.
7(h)vii In Knock out competitions, all preliminary and first round matches shall have a deadline for completion by 15 February, and second round ties shall be completed by 15 March. Teams failing to meet these dates may be expelled from the competition.
7(h)viii In all matches, Championship and Cup, the home team shall offer three dates, including a Saturday, and convenient and acceptable times for the opposition.
9. Competition arrangements for season 2023/24.
At the conclusion of the meeting the entry situation for the coming season 23/24 was understood to be as follows. The structure of each competition was discussed and agreed as below
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14G |
16G |
14B |
16B |
16B cup |
18B |
18B cup |
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Cheshire |
W |
W |
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W |
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W |
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Cleveland |
E |
E |
E |
E |
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E |
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Cumbria |
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E |
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Durham |
E |
E |
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E |
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E |
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Greater M/c |
W |
W |
W |
W |
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Lancashire |
W |
W |
W |
W |
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W |
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Merseyside |
W |
W |
W |
W |
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North'land |
E |
E |
E |
E |
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E |
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North Yorks |
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E |
E |
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South Yorks |
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E |
E |
E |
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E |
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Staffs |
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W |
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West Yorks |
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W |
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Entries |
7 |
8 |
7 |
11 |
11 |
7 |
7 |
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NCSFA Championships
Under 14 girls: East (3) West (4) 2 leagues. Home and Away. Then SFs> Final. Host: winner W v E
Under 16 Girls East (4) West (4) 2 leagues. Home and away. Then SFs> Final. host : winner E v W
Under 14 Boys East (4) West (3). 2 leagues Home and Away. Then SFs> Final. host : winner W v E
Under 16 Boys The Prothero Cup
East (6) West (5) 2 leagues. Then SFs> Final. host : winner W v E
Under 18 Boys The Malcolm Berry Cup
East (4) West (3) 2 leagues Home and Away Then SFs> Final. Host: winner E v W
** Please note the new strict date limits. Leagues to be completed by 28 February 2024
A Fixture programme to be produced by secretary before 31 July 2023
16B Cup - The Draw for 16B The Capelli Cup knock out as follows
Under 16 Capelli Cup Preliminary Round
- Cumbria v Merseyside
- Cheshire v North Yorkshire
- Northumberland v Lancashire
Round 1 to be completed by 15 February
- Winner 1 v Cleveland
- West Yorks v South Yorks
- Winner 2 v Durham
- Winner 3 v Greater M/c
Semi Finals, to be completed by 15 March
8 Winner match 4 v Winner match 5
9 Winner match 6 v Winner match 7
Final host to be decided by Bonus Ball, with match 8 as ”Even”, and match 9 as “Odd” number ball.
Under 18 The Geoff Jennet Cup
Round 1 to be completed by 15 February
- Staffordshire v Lancashire
- South Yorkshire v Cheshire
- Northumberland v Cleveland
Semi Finals to be completed by 15 March
- Winner match1 v Winner match 2
- Durham v Winner match 3
Final host to be decided by Bonus Ball, with match 4 as ”Even”, and match 5 as “Odd” number ball
10. Open Debate on relevant schools football matters
Debate on Under 18 Football problems, the major conclusion being that there remains a large body of lads who want to play representative football, and that we should endeavour to provide a coherent and viable programme, with the lead being taken by an enthusiastic staff, despite the lure of of other football in other circles. The product we can offer is still attractive but there is no room for complacency.
Debate on Under 15 Football provision. NCSFA members showed interest in maintaining the momentum gained from the under 14 year group with perhaps a number of informal “festival” style events to be organised by willing counties.
ESFA Councillor Alan Johnstone reminded all counties of the need to have a clear “Risk assessment” policy and strategy as well as , and he stressed, a clearly understood and tight “Selection policy and strategy”, in order to avoid future complaints and anxieties.
Secretary to retire. The secretary repeated again that he intends to retire as soon as a replacement successor can be appointed/elected. Any Schools Football person who might be willing/interested in taking on the post is invited to contact the chairman or secretary with a view to a discussion about the post.
11. Chairman for season 2023-24
Simon Carey of Cleveland took the chair from retiring chairman Derek Pearson and thanked him for his good work and interest at all times in NCSFA matters.
12. AOB
There being no other business the meeting closed at 8.20pm
13. The date of the next meeting was agreed as the second Monday in June 2024 at the same venue, West Riding FA in Woodlesford Leeds.
P.M.Tracey
Hon Secretary
June 17th 2023