BUDLEIGH SALTERTON
FOOTBALL CLUB

CHAT / NEWS / VIEWS

HERE IS THE PAGE IF YOU WANT TO GET A MESSAGE ACROSS, OR JUST HAVE YOUR SAY.

EMAIL IT TO jbaccinv@eclipse.co.uk

Tuesday 30 August saw the Robins go down 3 - 2 at Alphington to lose their 100% record.  It was a game of penalties - we had two and Blurts scored both, they had two, one of which Kev Page saved.  Their other two goals were strange affairs, both lobs over the keeper, the second of which I'm sure was a back heel OG although the league website gives credit to an Alphington player.  We have now scored from the spot in each of the four opening games.

Saturday 27 August saw us beating St Loyes by 3 - 1 at home to record our third straight win.  When was the last time we started the season with three wins?  Two from Blurts and an OG were enough to wipe out the opening strike by the visitors.  In the first half we dominated completely but had nothing to show for it until after they scored.  We then had a penalty which I am told was a bit harsh - I was too far away to comment.  The second half saw the pressure continue and eventually pay off.

All credit to St Loyes, given their close season problems, they deserve every praise for the way they battled and the football they played which, at times was a pleasure to watch.  Well done to them.

If you think the site is out of date please tell me (webmaster) do not drip to the team/fixture secretary who has enough to contend with.  The first team fixtures were already on the website when you telephoned him to complain.  They were on the index page (next 2 fixtures) and the full list of first and second team fixtures in the appropriate places.  Thank you.

At last we have some football to concern ourselves with.  Not much, but the first team have got away to a good start with wins in the opening two games.  The fist game at home to Plymstock produced two penalites, both converted.  The second at University produced three, two of which were saved.  Compared to last season we've probably had our quota of penalties for the season already.  Yesterday we had asked for a day off to help Alvin cast his freedom to the winds.  We wish him and his new wife the very best of everything.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

I did read the article by Colin Goodwin in the Independent on 14 August and, whilst I agree with his views that the whole business of the Devon & Exeter League fracas should be put to bed, I do not think it should just be swept under the goal mouth.  The consequences of the decision are potentially serious for some clubs.  What about the manner in which the decision was obtained?  The position now, as I see it, is that if the league officers do not like any proposal, or want to get a proposal of their own accepted, they will simply tell the clubs that if they (the officers) don't get what they want there will be no football in East Devon for the next season.  Do as we say or else....... and I thought we lived in a democracy.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

When did you last hear the cry "If I can't be captain I'll take my ball away"?  On the playground at your infants school?  How wrong can you be.  How about at the Special General Meeting of the Devon & Exeter Football League on Friday 22 July 2005.  The officers of the league, having been allowed to make an unmitigated cock up at the AGM, were obliged to call the special meeting.  The notice of the meeting was simply "To ratify the constitution of the league for the season 2005/6". No indication was given as to what that constitution was until the meeting commenced.  An amendment was proposed but apparently rejected because it had not been notified beforehand.  With the best will in the world how can any club table an amendment when the original proposal is unknown?

The league argued that the AGM proposals were necessary to remove fixture congestion at the end of the season.  Well I have heard some futile arguments in my life, but nothing so 100% futile as this one.  There are 35 Saturdays between 1 September and 30 April next year.  16 teams = 30 league matches.  Cups are an unknown, the more successful the larger the number.  There will be some cancellations due to weather.  All of this is negated by the mid week slots at the top and bottom of the season, the additional bank holiday slots, and if necessary the slots at the end of August and the start of May.  Hang on, the D & E Premier league have 16 teams and cup competitions so fixture congestion does not affect them, or is it they are the flagship league and nobody else matters?  It is certainly starting to appear so.  The Devon league has 21 teams, many of whom are clubs with reserve sides in Devon & Exeter, but they seem to manage the fixture congestion all right, in spite of their cup competitions and cancellations for bad weather.

Make no bones about it, the changes introduced are for the benefit of the league officers, not for the benefit of the member clubs.  There may be one or two clubs who find themselves in a league higher than they anticipated.  By far the vast majority will suffer with reduced match day income, at a time when finances are tight.  There may be others like ourselves who have lost sponsorship revenue.  Unless we can find some replacement sponsorship, it is now possible that, in 12 months time, the Budleigh Salterton Football Club, as we have known it to be for so many years, will not be in place.  The officers of the league are volunteers.  If they have lost interest in the member clubs, why not walk away; why change the structure to make it easier for them remain in place?

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The league officers have decided to call a special general meeting for Friday 22 July 2005 at 7.30pm at Padbrook Park Golf Club, Cullompton.  There is just one item on the agenda.  "To ratify the constitution of the league for the season 2005/6".  The notice of the meeting does not tell us what that constitution is, although it does not take a genius to work out what it might be.  Might be an interesting meeting.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

With Morchard Bishop we appealed to the Devon County F.A. about the D & E League's breach of their own rules.  The appeal was heard at Newton Abbot on Friday 1 July, and was successful.  Whilst we are glad the appeal was upheld, we take no pleasure at all from the result.  The ramifications are vast, and must put enormous additional pressure on the league officials, especially the fixture secretary, who now has a huge task.

We must now wait to see what the league officers decide to do.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

F.A. VASE

The draw for the first qualifying round has paired us at home to Falmouth Town - a massive task.  Saturday 17 September 2005.

By one of those football quirks, if we are successful we will then be at home to Witney United who put us out of the competition at their ground last season.  Saturday 1 October 2005.

John Brett