Shape of the 2008/09 Prem

[Admin]

I have heard rumours of Thomas Cook possibly being moved up to the Prem, along with Limetree and our side EMAP/Bauer. Are there any foundations to this and do you think that if this does happen this season, it should be the last time - returning to that old method of people being relegated and promoted?

I can understand the reasons behind it happening this season, with JNE folding and Burghley crying off, but I don't think it should become a regular occurrence.

Your thoughts?

[Mick B]

Don't know how that could be when league positions have still to be finalised ! ! !

[Admin]

I said it was a rumour; but the main point is that of the league deciding which club plays where, rather than their results dictating in which division they should reside.

[Back of the Net]

Well Limetree are a given I'd say as they've won the 1st div.
2nd and 3rd still to be decided so nobody can call who out of Mail and EMAP/Bauer, maybe both would go up as you have Woodston, JNE and possibly Burghley gone and then Parkside down a level? but as Mick points out, positions still to be decided so everything is just rumour for now, the league wont decide until just before the AGM!

Cooks certainly seem to have a good enough team but straight up to the Prem would seem very harsh perhaps?

[n j titman]

The problem anywhere is to make a competitive Prem Division.

Last year, (and I will not go into what happened)! the balance of sadly quantity rather than quality, was met by the kind offer of Parkside, and Lord Burghley.

Whilst the top players want to win trophies in all sectors of the game, you can never produce a 9-12 team competitive Prem, but the rest of the Divisions, were, as forecast, competitive.

Asking clubs if they would like to consider promotion or relegation is always subject to what squads they sign after the Divisions are decided, which is too late anyway.

Losing clubs during the season has always and will always be a problem all Leagues face.

The PSMFL has, as always, got to consider the quantity format of the Divisions (of 9/10/11/12/13 clubs) whilst retaining competition

Enjoy your close season

[Admin]

All comments considered and taken on-board. Not sure that Thomas Cook to Prem would be that harsh . . . again 'rumours' talk of a couple of well known JNE lads to be moving there too? Lord Burghley were good enough for the division, but took themselves out. With the flow of talent between clubs, those players will inevitably sign for other sides - making them good enough for the Prem . . . or am I misguided?

[Back of the Net]

As Nick rightly pointed out, it's all speculation until you've actually seen who signs for who.. Cooks suddenly produced a Prem quality side on paper but only after it was announced what league they were in 07/08.
I'm sure the league will be speaking to clubs (as per usual) prior to the AGM whilst trying to gauge who's going where and what leagues each team will go into, for the most part I think you're likely too see straight promotion/relegation with perhaps just 1 or 2 exceptions (as per usual)..

[jingle bells]

sadly in the past things haven't gone so well for decisions that have been made about who goes where. Keep it simple straight 2/3 up down depending on how many want in the league. Cooks should go up 1 division no more. KEEP IT SIMPLE. EMAP wouldn't have a problem holding there own in Prem anyway as shown by cup games this year...

[Admin]

Just so long as we play it simple from the back, eh Mr B? haha. I think it should be that simple too. If three drop out of any division, then three should go up from the division below (with nobody being relegated). Over the course of time, would this not level itself out? You may have pot-hunting teams cruising a division, but the season after they'd have sterner tests? Generally friends want to play together and will stay together as they move up the divisions?

Or maybe I'm living in Raph's utopia land where love is free and everyone sings around the campfire!

[Back of the Net]

Thanks J Bells.... we're happy to wait and see where we end up!

I think thats what we'll see, straight 2/3 up and down but the Prem may be slightly different as they've lost 2 or 3 teams so relegation is an issue there, perhaps 2 or 3 up from div 1 and another from outside of div 1 to make up the numbers if they are good enough (and want too?) could be something they'll do!!

[Admin]

I think we're good enough to go up. BTW - the mixed race lad who plays for New Shoes and plays a lot of 7-a-side; should be playing at a higher level. He looked good against us this season and gets better each year. Watched Scarletts vs. Shoes on Sunday and he shone in that game too.

[jb]

I think we're good enough to go up. BTW - the mixed race lad who plays for New Shoes and plays a lot of 7-a-side; should be playing at a higher level. He looked good against us this season and gets better each year. Watched Scarletts vs. Shoes on Sunday and he shone in that game too.

to be fair raph i was marking him and his mate on my own :) first game we played them he didn't get a sniff but i agree he does look a good talent.

[JNE]

As a player who played in the Prem all his Sunday morning career it is hard to have an opinion on the lower leagues where the better players drop down to enhance their trophy cabinets! But I will offer my opinion!

Very simple 2/3 up and vice versa sounds nice but not always practical! Look at Cooks who side is way to good to be in that league and also Parkway, whereas Parkside are quite simply awful and should never be in the PREM!

Hard one to call but teams/clubs need to be honest as do the players!!

[Admin]

I think you were marking about six on your own . . . some of your team-mates seriously lacked desire!

[jb]

to be fair i probably lacked the least desire in the first half. no keeper and 2 injured players doesn't do much for your enthusiasm!

[Back of the Net]

anyone heard a rumour about Sawtry and them possibly folding end of season? it's just someone I was talking too over the weekend had heard the rumour and asked me if I knew - I dont but thought I'd see if anyone on here had???
Personally I hope it's just a rumour and they stay as Sawtry are a decent club....

JB I watched the last 25 mins Sunday and I struggled to see any marking from anyone mate, it seemed to be a free for all with the Shoes lads forming a dis-ordely que!
That 5ft tall keeper saving Lukes shot from 40 yards was well funny though!

[Admin]

I thought that Dean having to go between the sticks for Scarletts was funnier! Sawtry always seem to be well-run and have their sh!t together, so would be a shame to have them leave the league?

[jb]

i think yesterday was called playing the season out with nothing to play for-tuesday night is the good old positions out of a hat! :D

[Admin]

Yeah, just try and make sure you pull out Starkey up front, Shak in midfield and you in defence.

[Back of the Net]

Mick Belson up front would be a classic, put his name in the hat...
even funnier Richie in defence hahahahaha...
It'll be the last game Scarletts play in the PSMFL won't it? a shame to lose the name/club but I'm sure you boys will be back under a new name/club soon enough.

[Admin]

Nudge nudge wink wink!

[FC Farcelona]

The Divisions in the PSMFL must be worked out prior to the AGM because we are all told at the AGM where we will be playing. Both Jingle bells and BOTN are on that committee so we have their experience of playing to draw from.
Sadly this year with the demise of JNE and Lord B the Prem is going to be weakened slightly but the teams going in could/should be able to make a go of it.
Its Lord B I feel sorry for the ignorance of knowledge by ONE player has caused a club to fold. Mr Greetham - apply for clemancy especially from the PSMFL, they are not half as dictatorial as they used to be :door:. The PFA will follow like always, Keep your team together, you joined the Prem as a favour to the league, they should try and help you out in some way.
In my opinion ONE up and ONE down should be mandatory, but if like all local leagues you may may have to promote more than one then 2nd place should go up. In the Prem this year it looks like L Tree, EMAP and Shoes or R Mail should all go up
In Div one they will have to send Farcet down leaving division with 6 teams - promote Cherry Tree and parkway (certs to hold their own) and I would put up Thomas Cook, they would be a top 4 side in Div 1.
Sadly Goldhay would have to go down from 2 to 3, if Sawtry are leaving then Riley's and NTS should go up
Div 3 sorts itself out but like Cherry Tree this year the PSMFL were right to start them in Div 2.
Perhaps one way of sorting new teams out is to get them to play a Div 2 side in a preseason game if they win next week give the a Div 1 team to play. If they win thatone then the PSMFL have a headache
Whatever division your in I'm sure it will be done fairly, BOTN will see to that and Jingle bells won't take any prisoners.
Nuff said
hasta la Vista Amigo's*roolz*

[Back of the Net]

Realtharegeezah!
Good points well made, apart from the bit that says I'll ensure it's done fairly... I actually have ZERO powers on the committee and am only a stand-in member with no voting rights, I will not have any rights to say who plays in any division and nor should I... If I'm asked I'll give my opinion to the full committee members but ultimately it'll be them that decide things, including where my club ends up... But you seem to have it fairly well laid out so perhaps they'll go with your suggestions!!!

Right then, Fenland Police, Baddows, both Farcets, Werrington Rangers, Goldhay Rangers, Perkins and EMAP up too the Prem (exsisting Prem teams down) should work shouldn't it hahaha?

[Admin]

No, I want Limetree up there so I can play McGaffin!

[n j titman]

Clemency?

The PSMFL would have written to Lord Burghley asking for observations; the club to have responded within x days; PSMFL to discuss the case and act and write to the Club who then would have had 7 days in which to appeal in writing against the decision.

Whatther this actually happened within the timescale involved I do not know, but, having been instrumental in persuading Lord Burghley to move up to the Prem last season, I was very saddened by the "we are out of here" decision.

[Mick B]

I 'll have you know Mr. Hamill the last time I played up front it was for Focus Y.C. against Corporation on a Sat Afternoon and I scored an hat-trick, well before most of our lads were born. It actually made a minor headline in the telegraph because I usually played in goal.

[Gordon Gekko]

Clemency? Once you do it for1 team then you open the gate for the others. As Ron S said in the local rag last night None of this we did the PSMFL a favour by going into the prem. They were good enough to finish top 3 in the prem thats why they went up. I'm fed up of hearing this bend the rules, they did the league a favour nonsense! They pure and simply broke a major FA and subseuent PSMFL rule and have been penalised for it. Hard luck lads. We all make mistakes however, you should use that as motivation to come back and win the lot next year. Act like adults and not kids by throwing your toys out of the pram. As we keep saying. Take it on the chin and come back stronger.....

[jb]

the realzaragoza urging the psmfl to let lord burghley off or reduce their punishment is ludicrous! They haven't been fairly punished as they have only lost the games they had an unfair advantage in. So basically you are saying the results which they had an unfair and illegal advantage should stand. I think ron made everything crystal clear in the et last night and lord burghley should think themselves lucky to not have a bigger punishment for blatantly flouting the dukes.

[Back of the Net]

I think realthatregeezah or whatever his name is hahaha... was just saying maybe LB should speak to the league, not to get the current punishment lowered as that has to stand, but maybe to show a bit or leniency when it comes to deciding the follow up fines/bans etc that maybe imposed and I think that's fair enough, they gotta take the points deductions and thrown out of the cups and there will be fines and possibly bans to follow? but if LB spoke to the league and held their hands up, said sorry and asked for a bit of leniency then who would begrudge that??? if it gets em all talking and perhaps keeps them as a club in the PSMFL then it should be encouraged surely?

Nobody is saying let them off, just speak to them and if they apologise and explain what happened then do the right thing and fine them accordingly but not extreme amounts that may see them fold... nobody wants to see that even if it is 'toys outta the pram' from LB.

[FC Farcelona]

Thank You BOTN If ever I want a barrister............:hbgr: Let me just state that if it's a first offence a little thought should go into the club being penalised. I've been on the wrong end of undemocratic decisions from both Saturday and Sunday leagues. Some listen and judge requests on merit, others don't.
I read the minutes of the PSMFL and since Nov the heavy hammer has become a light tap. Perhaps clubs don't appreciate it, but they should, especially if it helps make the books tally at the end of the season.
I fear the FA's will clobber Blackstones and the player but the only club it has cot is Lord Burghley so far. 2 prestigious Cup Finals and a terrific league placing in their first season in the top flight. Think ablout it Lord Burghley and come out battling next year:batr:

[richie]

i will probably pick a defensive position sean, never get a different position when we pick it out of the hat

[Admin]

I think you'll get centre mid mate - like Diego Maradona No. 10 - in 2002! hahaha

[mattsedd]

besides which all this is a load of nonesense. Anyone who says they didn;t know what they were doing are idiots.

For those who didn't know, in the semi final against westwood. Jones had a superb game against them. From what I understood, marked Danny Wilder out of the game. Yet mysterioulsy, he wasnt on the team sheet. Why? Cos he was suspended. Cheats, dont care what they claim, they knew what they were doing.

For those of you who didn't see the old mans reply in the paper, its here beloe (he's far more diplomatic than I am!)

Dear James

I would like to comment on the Evening Telegraph article of 8 May concerning the decision by the Lord Burleigh to quit the Sunday Morning Football League. Like Fred Johnson, the Chairman of the League, I hope they reconsider their decision.

Whilst I understand Shaun Greetham’s distress, the reason Lord Burleigh find themselves in this situation – out of two cups and six league points deducted – is, I am afraid, entirely down to their own management team. The rule book is clear and unambiguous and indeed the rule regarding contract players is particularly emphasised by being a single rule and in bold font. It is neither the PFA or League officials or Netherton's fault that Burleigh did not comply.

Perhaps Shaun will reflect on his reported comment that a contract is just “a bit of paper”. There are dozens of UCL players around who would love the security and status that goes with a contract. Certainly at Netherton where hundreds of young players are learning their skills any thought of a contract is only a dream. In Richard Jones’s case this “bit of paper” was the subject of a prominent Stamford Mercury article (13/9/07) and much celebration with his Blackstone teamates. A contract distinguishes a player from his peers and quite rightly brings with it rights, rewards and responsibilities.

It is not widely known that many years ago as a manager I inadvertently broke the rules by playing an illegible player and at that time lost for my team the right to progress to two cup finals. The fault was mine and I had to endure the embarrassment of facing the “innocent” players but we, together, put it behind us and resolved to go on and become a force in local football. I hope Lord Burleigh do the same. As Shaun rightly points out Burleigh spanked us 4 0 earlier in the season and their players were a credit even if their fans were a bit over the top. In 2005 Netherton were beaten 6 –1 by the Royal Oak in the league before gaining a 6 –4 revenge win in the PFA Cup Final – football is like that.

I know that my unfortunate experience with the rule book taught me to respect it. The rules protect the Clubs, they are our rules and we look to our league committees to uphold them and those committees that don’t earn nothing but my contempt. I hope these few points will bring some balance to the ET reports and, just for the record, Netherton raised the issue with PFA & League Officials before the Cup Final not afterwards as you have reported.

Your sincerely

Ron Seddon
Chairman Netherton United Football Club

[Mick B]

Wasn't aware that Mr. Jones name wasn't on the team sheet against Westwood. If he played while under suspension then there can be no excuse, leaving his name off the team sheet is blatant cheating and should be treat as such. Again if true there is no defence for this and expulsion from the cup is a fitting punishment.This certainly wasn't reported in the paper and yes Ron's reply was extremely tactful, which is what I would expect.

[Back of the Net]

I didn't see that from Ron but very diplomatic as always and I think he sums it up perfectly... I hope LB reconsider but I heard their manager had already decided to move on end of season before this kicked off so he's maybe just having a parting shot as he goes anyway??? hopefully they'll find a new guy to run it?

Anyhow back on topic - the shape of the Prem next season.
Div 1 was settled last night with LT winners, EMAP 2nd, New Shoes 3rd, Mail 4th and Scarletts 5th.
This followed a 3-2 win for Scarletts v Royal Mail last night.. Well done lads.
So whats it to be do we reckon? 1, 2, 3 or even 4 to go up? Parkside down, JNE and Woodston gone and LB maybe gone? should be an interesting AGM!! Netherton and Westwood likely favourites next season surely?

[Mick B]

If what I hear about the JNE boys then I would 252 in with a chance as well as Netherton and Westwood.

[ResMan]

Think we're going to hear a lot of rumours going around about who's going where and who's giving up. I certainly look forward to the summer as it may well turn up a few suprises !!!

[Admin]

Fratelli FC will be stronger after their experience this year too.

[Back of the Net]

I think with LT, EMAP and Mail all up to the Prem it should throw up some interesting results next season (if the league decide on those 3 that is...)

[Admin]

LT, EMAP, Mail & Shoes surely - if Woodston, JNE, Burghley & Parkway folded/relegated?

[Back of the Net]

I think that could work...
LT won the league so gotta go up, Mail should have won it (but threw it away), EMAP 2nd and Shoes 3rd - those 4 should be able to win a few in the Prem?

[jb]

there's also the squad lists of prospective new teams to take into consideration to where they are put(if there are any that is).