HELLENIC LEAGUE NEWS

Therapist Requiring Club - 19th May

Kate Simmons is based in Amersham, and is the former physio for Prestwood and Chalfont Wasps FC.

Having secured the FA Level 2 Certificate in the Treatment and Management of Injuries in Football and completing the FA Emergency First Aid Certificate I am now seeking a club requiring a therapist within a 10-15 mile radius of my home base. I will be completing my Sports Therapy degree in December.

Please contact me;

Kate Simmons

Email address: simmonsk_@hotmail.com
Contact number: 07738 399725

 

The finalisation of promotion and relegation is still ongoing with various meetings in process to resolve promotion and relegation. That said there are some matters that will affect the UHLSPORT Hellenic League. At this time there has been no information issued by the FA with regard to promotion and relegation to and from the higher levels of football – watch out for more news on this website.

Season’s Ups & Downs - 8th May

The finalisation of promotion and relegation is still ongoing with various meetings during the next ten days to initially resolve promotion and relegation.

That said there is possibly some matters that will affect the Uhlsport Hellenic League. At this time four clubs should be promoted to the Premier Division from One East and One West. The clubs are Holyport and Henley Town from One East but both promotions are subject to further inspections to ensure work detailed during recent inspections has been dealt with.
Moving up from One West will be Bicester Town, still to be inspected and Cheltenham Saracen’s who have been inspected and again they have some work to undertake to achieve Premier status.

Four clubs from Level Seven Competitions have been inspected, and again, there is some work to do to achieve the entry grade required.

Pegasus Junior’s have been granted a transfer to the West Midlands League, subject to a place being available in that competition. Launton Sports are dropping back into the Oxfordshire Senior League. More updates to follow.

 

Player Registrations and Transfers Season 2010/11 - 3rd April

The Player Registration & Transfer Window closed at 5pm on Thursday with an additional 69 Players registered and nine players moving to other clubs during the week.

Total Season 2010/11

Division	Non Contract	Contract	Transfers	Total
Premier	1426	0	128	1554
One West	822	0	44	866
One East	946	4	59	1009
Reserves	211	0	10	221
Veterans	448	0	3	451
TOTALS	3853	4	244	4101

Player Transfers In March

From

To

Jack	Alder	Abingdon Town	Milton United
Richard	Goddard	Bracknell Town	Henley Town
Dean	Thomas	Bracknell Town	Wokingham & Embrook
Tim	Griffiths	Cheltenham Saracens	Witney United
Dean	Mays	Clanfield	Witney United
John	Watson	Cricklade Town	Fairford Town
Harry	Halls	Didcot Town	Hungerford Town
Niall	Hodgkins	Didcot Town	Wantage Town
Steve	Howkins	Easington Sports	Hook Norton
Tristan	Heywood	Flackwell Heath	Holyport
Matthew	Flint	Flackwell Heath	Holyport
Richard	Parsons	Gloucester City	Pegasus Juniors
Tom	Dingle	Highworth Town	Wootton Bassett Town
Matthew	Pedder	Hungerford Town	Thatcham Town
Robbie	Sadler	Hungerford Town	Thatcham Town
Steve	Howe	Hungerford Town	Newbury
Liam	Bint	Letcombe	Wantage Town
Ryan	Tappin	Letcombe	Didcot Town
Jerome	Anderson	Maidenhead United	Oxford City Nomads
Lee	Bell	Oxford City Nomads	Henley Town
James	Faulkner	Oxford City Nomads	Thame United
Jon	Little	Oxford City Nomads	Letcombe
Darren	McNamara	Oxford City Nomads	Clanfield
Craig	Shand	Shrivenham	Clanfield
Aaron	Stevens	Thatcham Town	Purton
Adam	Bruce	Wantage Town	Witney United
Richard	Guy	Wantage Town	Hungerford Town
Sean	Webb	Wantage Town	Letcombe
Cameron	Lagan	Witney United	Maidenhead United
James	Lambert	Witney United	Ardley United
Ollie	Lynch	Witney United	Henley Town
Imran	C-Chowdhary	Woodley Town	Hungerford Town

 

The FA Cup, FA Vase and FA Youth Cup Season 2011-2012 - 28th March

As we are nearing towards the 1st April closing date for next season's FA Competitions, if Hellenic clubs have not yet made their application . . . time is running out.

Clubs can now apply to enter The FA Cup, FA Vase and FA Youth Cup for season 2011-2012. Please click on the link below and follow the instructions to submit the application online. On successful completion of the application, an automatic email confirmation will be sent to the participant from The FA.

http://thefa.com/TheFACup/CompetitionAdministration

Please note that the application is only available for online completion and payment by credit or debit card.

The closing date is Friday 1 April 2011

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Sponsored Sky Dive - 3rd February

It has long been said that Referee's are 'Brain Challenged' or just MAD. Uhlsport Hellenic League Referee and Contributory League Assistant Referee Chris Kidd will be out to prove the point one way or another.

On Sunday 3rd April 2011 Chris is doing a 10,000 ft skydive in aid of 'Brain Tumour Research UK'. Chris said; "The reason I am supporting this Charity is because my aunt died of a brain related illness with out any notice at the young age of 36. Also a colleague of mine at work has his wife ill with a brain tumour and asked me if I would be interested in helping to raise some money, I was more than happy to agree to help this worth while cause".

"I would be pleased if you would circulate these details with link to clubs and Match Officials and other non-active Officials in the Hellenic League, I hope to raise at least £500, hopefully more, for this worthwhile cause".

This is the link to donate on line - http://www.justgiving.com/Chris-Kidd2

Or send a cheque payable to 'Brain Tumour Research UK' to my home address, with a note stating who the cheque is from, so I can add them to the paper form I have!

 

January Transfers - 30th January 2011

Movement of players between clubs in January

From

To

Paul	Kerridge	Abingdon Town	Hook Norton
Anaclet	Odihambo	Abingdon United	Kidlington
Ian	Concannon	Ardley United	Hungerford Town
Terry	Fitton	Ardley United	Easington Sports
Daryl	James	Bicester Town	Abingdon Town
Lewis	Brown	Bicester Town	Hook Norton
Chris	Johnson	Bicester Town	Launton Sports
James	Pople	Binfield	Finchampstead
Chris	Adams	Binfield	Bracknell Town
Nick	Page	Bracknell Town	Woodley Town
Daniel	Willment	Chalfont Wasps	Flackwell Heath
James	Bowers	Clanfield	Cheltenham Saracens
Jack	Longford	Didcot Town	Oxford City Nomads
Ian	Luckett	Ducklington	Witney Royals
Lee	Keyes	Easington Sports	Clanfield
Lewis	Frostick	Finchampstead	Farnborough
Mitchell	Wyatt	Highworth Town	Wootton Bassett Town
Sam	Packer	Highworth Town	Wootton Bassett Town
Matthew	Collis	Holyport	Flackwell Heath
Shaun	Thorp	Hungerford Town	Newbury
Steven	Rackham	Hungerford Town	Newbury
Joseph	Dorey	Malmesbury Victoria	Wootton Bassett Town
Marc	Green	Newbury	Thatham Town
Rhys	Denton	Old Woodstock Town	Abingdon Town
Sam	Warrell	Old Woodstock Town	Kidlington
Danny	De La Hunt	Old Woodstock Town	Hook Norton
Piers	McGlyn	Old Woodstock Town	Abingdon United
Michael	Lees	Purton	Malmesbury Victoria
Adam	Cashin-Murray	Reading Town	Hungerford Town
Adam	Thomas	Slimbridge	Shortwood United
Elliott	Whitehouse	Woodley Town	Hungerford Town

 

Where Will Our Club Be Playing Next Season? - 24th January

With muted changes in League structure regarding floodlit grounds, it is a question that concerns many in the Hellenic League.

The main issues are Promotion, Relegation, and the affects of Ground Grading. League Chairman, Bob Dalling will try to clarify the situation as best he can.

Step 5 to Step 4 – Nothing has changed from previous years. This is now a well established FA led procedure.

Step 6 to Step 5 – Again no change from previous seasons. This process is handled by The League and is documented in our handbook.

Step 6 – The issue remains that not all of our Division One clubs meet the required Ground Grading requirements Our plan was to move a combined Division One across the geographic area, with two regional Division Two’s. There has been no agreement with The Football Association about this plan

Therefore unless there is a dramatic FA led change we will continue with our current structure. In other words we expect no change for next season.

Step 7 – There has been some focus on the situation at Step 7. The League has held meetings with our Feeder Leagues.
However FA decisions are not announced as to which of these Leagues are actually Step 7 (or 8, or 9). Sowe expect no change for next season at this level. Therefore Promotion/Relegation to/from our Divison One’s can take place in line to previous seasons.

 

Roving Reporter Statistical View - 16th January

This forecast is based on all games played so far this season. The Premier Division has been split into 3 elements and uses the results in matches to 12th January. The results of each team against each of the 3 sections, has been applied to outstanding fixtures to give the statistical forecast table at end of season.

Situation so far based on season’s results ( at January 12th 2011)

	Against Top 8	Pld	Pts			Against Mid 7	Pld	Pts			Against Bot'm 7	Pld	Pts
1	Kidlington	6	13		1	Kidlington	9	21		1	Ardley U	11	31
2	Ardley U	8	12		2	Old Woodstock	10	20		2	Binfield	9	25
3	Shortwood U	9	10		3	Slimbridge	8	17		3	Wantage T	7	21
3	Old Woodstock	5	10		4	Highworth T	8	16		3	Shortwood U	7	21
5	Highworth T	6	9		5	Wantage T	7	15		5	Slimbridge	7	19
5	Slimbridge	7	9		6	Ardley U	5	12		6	Highworth T	6	15
7	Wantage T	6	8		7	Binfield	6	11		7	Kidlington	7	15
8	Binfield	5	2		8	Shortwood U	6	8		8	Old Woodstock	6	9

Projected final table forecast 2010-2011 Season

		Played	Points
1	Ardley United	42	93
2	Wantage Town	42	91
3	Kidlington	42	87
4	Shortwood United	42	85
5	Highworth Town	42	83
6	Slimbridge	42	78
6	Old Woodstock Town	42	78
8	Binfield	42	71

 

Promotion To Step 4 - 13th January

At the closing date of 31 December 2010 the FA had received a total of 58 applications from Step 5 clubs wishing to be considered for promotion to Step 4 at the end of season 2010 - 2011. A full list of the clubs that have applied is attached for your information.

As usual there are Twelve promotion places available with preference being given to Champion clubs who meet FA grading criteria 'E'. Three Hellenic clubs have 'thrown their hat in' being; Binfield, Shortwood United and Wantage Town. Shortwood United have the required 'E Grade' from last season.

APPLICATIONS FOR PROMOTION FROM STEP 5 TO 4 – SEASON 2010/11

Combined Counties League
Badshot Lea FC
Camberley Town FC
Chertsey Town FC
Egham Town FC
Guildford City FC
Molesey FC

Eastern Counties League
Dereham Town FC
Leiston FC
Mildenhall Town FC

Essex Senior League
Barkingside FC
Burnham Ramblers FC
Enfield 1893 FC
Witham Town FC

Hellenic League
Binfield FC
Shortwood United FC
Wantage Town FC

Kent League
Greenwich Borough FC
Herne Bay FC
Hythe Town FC
VCD Athletic FC

Midland Football Alliance
Boldmere St Michaels FC
Causeway United FC
Coalville Town FC
Loughborough University FC
Stratford Town FC
Tipton Town FC
Westfields FC

North West Counties League
Colne FC
New Mills FC
Ramsbottom United FC
Winsford United FC

Northern Counties East League
Farsley AFC
Parkgate FC
Pickering Town FC
Scarborough Athletic FC
Tadcaster Albion FC
Thackley FC

Northern League
Bishop Auckland FC
Dunston UTS FC
Whitley Bay FC

Spartan South Midlands League
Aylesbury United FC
Chalfont St Peter FC
Royston Town FC
Tring Athletic FC

Sussex County League
Crawley Down FC
East Grinstead Town FC
Redhill FC
Three Bridges FC

United Counties League
Kings Lynn Town FC
Newport Pagnell Town FC
St Neots Town FC

Wessex League
Bemerton Heath Harlequins FC
Fareham Town FC
Poole Town FC
Newport (IW) FC
Winchester City FC

Western League
Bitton FC
Larkhall Athletic FC

 

 

Registrations & Transfers - 4th January 2011

The game may not have taken place on the pitch but plenty of activity still occured behind the scenes.

Division	Non Contract	Contract	Transferred	Total
Premier	1246	0	75	1321
One West	728	0	26	754
One East	816	4	30	850
Reserves	173	0	5	178
Veterans	413	0	2	415
TOTALS	3376	4	138	3518

Player movement during December

From

To

Connor	Hayes	Easington Sports	Thame United
Matty	Bennett	Cricklade Town	Highworth Town
Callum	Convey	Hook Norton	Easington Sports
Steve	Robertson	Highworth Town	Shrivenham
Shane	Cooper-Clark	Wokingham & Em	Ascot United
Denel	Thomas	Oxford City Nomads	Bicester Town
Ashley	Johnson	Oxford City Nomads	Bicester Town
Daniel	Sweeney	Bicester Town	Ardley United
Aaron	Steadman	Maidenhead United	Holyport
Lance	Williams	Kidlington	Abingdon Town
Luke	Adams	Shrivenham	Fairford Town
Callum	Coull	Flackwell Heath	Holyport
Nathan	Hall	Wootton Bassett Town	Shrivenham
Nick	Jones	Fairford Town	Witney United
George	Archer	Farnborough	Bracknell Town
Mitchell	Bryant	Gloucester City	Hungerford Town
Joe	Kent	Abingdon Town	Letcombe
Jamie	Martin	Shortwood United	Slimbridge
Matthew	Boucher	Fairford Town	Wootton Bassett Town

 

Thinking about Promotion - 19th December

Clubs wanting to be considered for promotion to the next level, Isthmian and Southern League’s have to submit their application to the Football Association by the end of December.

Due to the financial state of the country and the cost implications to reach the next standard of ground facilities, Premier leaders Ardley United do not intend to apply, the same is the case for Kidlington and Ascot United. These clubs have cited escalating costs that would be incurred without being able to acquire any Football Foundation funding towards the costs.

The hat has already been thrown into the ring by Shortwood United, whose ground already holds the appropriate ‘Grade E’ as is the case with Slimbridge who presently occupy second place behind Ardley United. Wantage Town are presently reviewing the work they will need to do to comply. Chairman Tony Woodward believes several thousand pounds will need to be spent and he has concerns with regard to some of the required work as the club location is in an area classified as ‘Of Outstanding Beauty’. Discussions are ongoing with the FA.

    

Mark Runs For Charity - 22nd September

On 10/10/10 Mark Evans, an Hellenic League Match Official for many years, is running the Royal Parks Half Marathon in London.

Mark explains. "As a part of a team of 100 from Waitrose we are raising money for The Lords Taverners Charity to hopefully buy a couple of mini buses to be used for under privileged children."

I have a Justgiving page set up at www.justgiving.com/Mark-Evans5 to help raise funds. If you are able to help, please go to the site and make a pledge."

Thank you very much

Mark Evans"

 

Premier Sports Group are running a level 3 certificate in Coaching Football (UEFA B) at Oxford City in October. These courses are available on a very limited basis but one has been sanctioned to start in October with Jim Kelman tutoring. Places are available but it is anticipated that demand will be high. Please contact Premier Sports for further information or contact your Hellenic League club secretary who has been circulated with more information.

Course Details:

Social Networking Websites- 29th August

The Football Association has highlighted the potential problems concerning the use of Social Networking Websites. It is appropriate now to remind member clubs of their responsibilities.

These sites have become a part of everyday life and are accessed by people from all walks of life. Whilst it is an individual’s right to use such sites, as they wish, within the bounds of legal acceptability. However, the use of these sites to pass adverse or unacceptable comments on member clubs, match officials, players or League Management is considered wholly inappropriate. The FA or the management team of the League carries the same restrictions as any other printed or published matter.

Please ensure that everyone in a position of responsibility within your club, including players, managers and match day helpers – is aware that any unacceptable postings will be treated as comment by the person’s club. This could lead to disciplinary action taken against the club by the UHLSPORT Hellenic League. If any comments are seen to bring the League, club or football in general into disrepute The Football Association may also take action.

Please ensure that your club members think carefully before posting on such sites. The Hellenic League has a proud reputation in ensuring fairness for all and it will not be tarnished by mindless acts.

 

View from the Chair - 9th August

Welcome one and all to the new season. Where did summer go? Hopefully we have all had some kind of break. Now we start again. So what has happened during the Summer?

Respect and Fair Play Program
I make no apology for stating again that our National Governing Body recognised our League as being best in class at our level of football last season. I personally believe that this is because everyone played their part. We have great Clubs, excellent Match Officials, the best League Manager at our level, supported by a strong management team. We believe in rewarding those clubs that perform well on and off the pitch. Thank you everyone for last season. All we have to do is the same again and more this coming season. The award brought with it a £3000 prize to be used in the furtherance of the Program. What to do with this will be decided at the first Board Meeting in September. We have had a few suggestions already, and are very happy to hear more. Please email these to the League Office.
What is new for 2010/2011?
New Sponsor
We welcome UHLSPORT to their first full season with The Hellenic. League. They are already proving popular with their efficiency and supply of their kit  
Increased numbers of Match Officials
In addition to our new clubs we welcome many new Match Officials. FA Level 4 ‘Supply League’ Referees have officiated at our Premier Division games for many years. This coming season our Division One’s have been promoted to ‘Supply League’ status and will also have Level 4 referee’s from the FA. There was an excellent officials training day on August 1st at Abingdon, and we are all looking forward to the new campaign.
Your League Needs You
We are on the look-out for assistance with small (or big if you are interested) roles within in the League Management Board area. The sum of the requirements to run a League in the modern world is exceeding the number of hours available to our Board members. Hence additional help is required. Number one on the list is an Events Organiser & Coordinator. Put your name forward to the League Office. This is a great opportunity to become part of our success.
What is happening about Promotion and Relegation?
There is no doubt in my mind that this area needs some attention in The National League System. Too many Clubs are being ‘saved ‘from relegation by a variety of means. My view is simple. If a club finishes in a relegation position they have won the right to be relegated. Clubs that are to be demoted due to Ground Grading, and Financial issues, should be in addition to these. At the moment clubs in promotion positions, and having spent the money to get their ground graded correctly are often not actually promoted, because of decisions taken by Leagues above. The net effect is that promotion and relegation of clubs are kept to a minimum in favour of the ‘old pals’ act.  I raised this at a BBC Radio London Non-League Show. The conclusion from the panel was that change is needed. I will be writing to the FA.
I wish you well for the season
Please represent your Club, and the League to the best of your ability. My aim is to get to see every ground on a match-day this season. Hopefully I will get to meet you all.

 
Bob Dalling – The Chairman.

 

Hellenic Registration Officer Ben James officiated at Wembley recently.

Ben (left) and former Hellenic Referee John Busby (right), now a Conference Referee, were assistants to former Premier League Referee Dermot Gallagher in a World Cup 2010 launch match in partnership with the FA bid for the 2018 World Cup.

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