10 October 2007

There seems to be an ongoing debate on the league forum with regard to assistant referees, and in general the quality of them.

The league secretary, Mr Hiscox has given a thorough explanation on more than one occasion.  In brief, as I understand his writing, the situation in One East and West is that an assistant will be provided if one is available, not as a matter of course.  This is because those leagues are at Level 7 and the F.A has decreed this level will not be a feeder league.  This applies all over the country, where generally Level 7 leagues are not the same standard as our leagues.

Why the continuing debate?  The clubs who were being elected to Level 7, as well as those electing to keep that Level, were aware of the situation at the outset, or should have been because it was publicised.  Just two days ago the league secretary wrote "Its funny that the majority of the bitter comments are from people at clubs that were step 7 last year (Devon Lge / South Western Lge) and who stayed there in some cloud-cuckoo land way expecting everything to be just the same........

To be fair some clubs have not said a word about the changes, they know who they are, but there are some who frankly make you despair at their ignorance of what has been in the planning stages for years, ........."

As far as I am aware nobody from this club has complained - it is difficult to be certain because the forum allows pseudonyms which not everybody is familiar with.  If anybody has complained then they should have known better.

18 July 2007
It is with more than a little sadness we learn, from the Cullompton Rangers website, that they are having to search for a new manager.  Our old friend and mentor, Phil Margrett, had been i/c at Speeds Meadow but had been forced to hand over, we thought temporarily, to Dan Boere who now finds he is not able to continue.  He cites a very valid reason for this.

The website describes the situation as a mirror image of 12 months ago, and urges their supporters to be positive and remember that last year they went on to have a good season.  All at Budleigh Salterton will wish the manager, whoever it is, the squad and supporters another good season, this time in the new league.