WALLINGTON YOUTH AND JUNIOR FOOTBALL LEAGUE

WALLINGTON LITTLE LEAGUE - MANAGERS OPEN PAGE

We've already had a tremendous response to news of our
charity opening match of the season. 
It will be or should be a fun kick around for managers,
ex managers and ex players.
If you are a former player or manager or current manager who has not yet put your name forward please contact the site as we may still be able to fit you in.
Kick off is scheduled for 11am on the Mains Pitch, it will
also be a late chance for any new players to be signed up
for the new season which starts on Sunday 27th September.
So if you have a budding player of school age 4 to school
age 5 for girls and school age 4 to school age 9 for boys
bring them along to hopefully get signed up.

MANAGERS PICKING NIGHT FOR TEAMS FOR SEASON 2009/10 IS ON:
TUESDAY 14TH JULY AT 8PM FOR JUNIORS AND 9PM FOR SENIORS IN THE UNITED SERVICES CLUB SUTTON

At the end of each half season should two teams be level on points the head to head results between
the two sides concerned will decide who finished above who before any other figures are considered.
Voted in 28th January.

Click on the following link to learn about the FA's new Respect Parent Programme,
via the page this link takes you to you can view the new video starring top British
actor Ray Winstone.
http://console.unrulymedia.com/viral_campaigns/_ray_winstone_calls_for_respect

It is trophy and medal giving time once again at Wallington Little League and it is a real
thrill to be giving out the goodies and meeting all the players and seeing so many parents
cheering them on as they come up to accept their rewards.
This year we have purchased our trophies and medals on line for the first time and we
have found a really good supplier. Trophies247 give a friendly, speedy and cost effective
service. We have made a big saving on last season's costs but more than that we have
found a company to rely on. They offer free engraving, free prompt delivery and
also offer a 20% discount on website prices.
So if you are a manager looking for end of season trophies for a prize giving you
could do worse than click on their name to have a look at their website, it really
is very easy to buy online. They were so good with us we thought they were worth
a mention on our website.

Just a quick note about the confusion surrounding the new rule about matching
player for player a team that does not have the required number of 7 Juniors and
11 Inters/Mains.
Should a team not have the minimum required players in their total squad then 
the League Secretary should be informed and then should they not have enough
players on a Sunday the opposing team will only play the same number as
the opposing team has players registered.
For example the Royal Blues in the Mains at the time of writing this have just
9 players registered so should they turn up to play with just 7, 8 or 9 players then
the opposing side should field 9 no more than 9 against them. Should another team
have 10 players registered then opponents would field no more than 10 against 
them.
Should a side have 11 plus players registered in the Mains and Inters or 7 plus players registered in the Juniors then as long as they have the minimum required
players to play a match the opposing team is free to play a full side against
them. The minimum required number of players for Inters and Mains is 7 and for
Juniors is 5.
Managers should always check with Maria to find out the correct number of
players that a team has registered.
This rule now surpasses all previous instructions.
(Updated 28th Jan 2009)

Players Wanted
Are you a Wallington Little League Manager or Assistant Manager who fancies putting the boots back on and joining in the action yourself.
Lewis Tanner is putting together a Managers Five A Side team to play at Powerleague on Thursday evenings.
If you are interested please e-mail us at the website or call
Lewis on 07527 100 462 or Steve on 07864 199 976.

CLICK HERE TO GO BACK TO MAIN PAGE

Under 8s Rule Change
All under 8s managers are reminded of the rule voted in at the agm due to being prompted
by F.A Rules that the under 8s will have no league tables or cup competitions this season.
There will still be the end of season 7 a side fun day tournament as usual.
(30th May)

Click here to enter Managers Meeting Minutes page  

Minutes from Managers meetings and any other relevant information
Managers may require will be available on this page. (log in required)
Please note user i.d. and password are case sensitive. Any requests
for user i.d. and password reminders to be sent to the website email
address for forwarding on to the Committee for clearance. Alternatively
this information can be obtained at any managers meeting.
THIS PAGE WILL BE AVAILABLE SHORTLY

The offside rule for the Mains League was confirmed on Thursday 16th 
November at the managers meeting.
As proposed and agreed last season the rule played in the Mains League is
the interfering with play rule, should a player be in an offside position but not
be interfering with play then he will not be deemed to be offside unless he comes
into play and he is deemed to have gained an advantage by being in that original
offside position.
The Inters will continue to play the rule that any player offside whether interfering
or not is offside and a free kick will be given.
(17th November)


                                                                                                                        


Message to all managers and coaches, our committee strongly recommends
that you check out the following website which has many interesting articles
and ideas:
www.footy4kids.co.uk

Positioning Of Spectators At The Inters Pitch
AS EVERYONE SHOULD BE AWARE THERE IS ONLY A LINE FOR SPECTATORS ON ONE SIDE OF THE INTERS
PITCH SO ANYONE WISHING TO WATCH THE INTERS ACTION IS ASKED TO WATCH FROM THAT SIDE.
HOWEVER IS PEOPLE DO WANT TO WATCH FROM THE OPPOSITE SIDE THEY ARE ASKED TO STAND WELL
BACK FROM THE TOUCHLINE FOR SAFETY REASONS. THE COMMITTEE AND MANAGERS DISCUSSED THIS
AT THE OCTOBER MANAGERS MEETING AND CAME UP WITH THE SOLUTION OF USING THE FALLEN TREE
ON THAT SIDE OF THE INTERS PITCH AS THE GUIDE FOR SPECTATORS. SO ALL VIEWERS OF THE INTERS
MATCHES FROM THAT SIDE OF THE PITCH AS ASKED TO STAND NO FURTHER FORWARD THAN THE LINE
OF THAT FALLEN TREE.
THE COMMITTEE AND MANAGERS OF THE LEAGUE APPRECIATE YOUR CO-OPERATION.
(20th October)
                                                                                                                                                                   

Training and Match-Days
All managers are reminded that only adults that have been Crb checked and cleared can help out 
during training sessions and on match-days.
Also only players registered with our league can take part in training sessions, whether they are in a
team or on the passive list.
                                                                                                                                       

NOTICE TO ALL MANAGERS: IF ANYONE IS STILL IN NEED OF CRB CHECKING PLEASE
CONTACT STEVE TANNER TO ARRANGE A CONVENIENT TIME TO FILL OUT THE
RELEVANT FORMS.

                                                                                                                                                        

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT ALL MANAGERS PHONE IN OR 
E-MAIL THEIR RESULTS TO THEIR RESULTS SECRETARY
ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON. 
NO RESULT REPORTED MEANS THE TABLES AND RESULTS
PAGES CAN NOT BE UPDATED.
JUNIORS RESULTS SECRETARY: JOHN ELLIS
INTERS AND MAINS SECRETARY: STEVE TANNER

Click here to enter Managers Meeting Minutes page  

Minutes from Managers meetings and any other relevant information
Managers may require will be available on this page. (log in required)
Please note user i.d. and password are case sensitive. Any requests
for user i.d. and password reminders to be sent to the website email
address for forwarding on to the Committee for clearance. Alternatively
this information can be obtained at any managers meeting.
THIS PAGE WILL BE AVAILABLE SOON

Please email the website if there is any information you would like published on
this page. email the website

Managers for the 2008/2009 Season are listed below. 
(Any errors to be emailed to the website for onward clarification to committee)
 

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Let's Pull Together
Everyone at Wallington Little League knows me, or should do and although I am not a committee
member I do a few jobs for the league including helping out with a couple of teams, running the 
website, Nationals Manager and Trophies Officer so I do get around and get a look at all age
groups through the season.
For me lately it has been not as much fun as it has been in the past, I know a few others agree as
I have heard from several who are not entirely happy with things at present so I just thought I would
publish a few words on this.
I love Little League and for me it has been almost a life saver, many of you will know I have had
my health problems over the years and at one time I was nearly a recluse but from being dropped
in at the deep end to look after a team at short notice my involvement grew as did that of my 
whole family. I went from someone nervous to talk to strangers and even kids to being right in the
thick of it. 
The whole experience of Wallington Little League and the whole spirit and intentions of our
organisation has lifted me many times and dragged me right back into life and I am proud to
say that I know that I have been part of a great body of people who have made a difference to 
many kids and families. I have a little folder with cards and messages from families and kids
over the years which is a great confidence booster to refer to. Though the purpose of writing
this is not to talk about me but to talk about our league and the recent small troubles with 
have come across which has damaged the atmosphere and somewhat gone against what
most of us think Little League is about.
Among the problems we have encountered this season has been the following:

There has been a failure for managers to get on during match days and there is obvious
friction though this has been happening more in one age group. 
So sometimes we may not be happy with the way someone else manages or whatever but
the best policy is surely to pursue this through the committee and on match days with the kids
around try to get along and not let this spill over. On some occasions this then gets the 
supporters involved and more bad feeling occurs and more problems arise.

There has been questions asked about the fact that some teams have an extra player in
their squads and that this is an advantage.
Although this is not a National rule it appears to me it is a local one and has been operating
for quite a few seasons as I remember having an extra player at one time in the Mains League
and can remember other managers having the same thing. It can be a nightmare from a 
manager's perspective as the amount of substitutions can be very large. For instance in
the Junior leagues if a squad has eleven players instead of ten the manager will have to make
Eight substitutions at half time which is around 75% of the team only getting one half and being
a substitute of some type. 
I look at it this way, at least one extra kid is getting a guaranteed half of football each week which
is all we guarantee after all. Also the extra player for each squad has a specific reason depending
on the circumstances. We did it when we had a couple of players in our squad who due to
marriage break ups could only play every other week and I know of squads this season who
do it as they have a player with a health problem who is either not always available or unable
to play a full game. I wonder if the only reason this has come up as a big subject this season 
is because for the first time I can remember a team with an extra player has actually been doing
well so I suppose it has been noticed and may be some think it is because of this that they are
doing so well.

There has been a problem with coaching by people running the line during matches.
Now as I see it this is not officially allowed but believe me it is extremely hard to stop yourself
saying something when you are so close to the action and close in spirit to the team you
are attached to. So surely at some point there are going to be some words of encouragement
and I think those in charge do know this but there has been a few regular offenders who
are maybe just a little bit too loud and consistent in their encouragement and which I suppose
is a bit unfair as they are much closer than any other supporters and are meant to be there
to officiate but the bigger problem is when these people start giving instructions as this
is an unfair advantage as the managers should be confined to their managers area and
that is where the instructions should come from and I suppose can be confusing for players 
too. Of course we do have teams who may only have one manager on the day who has to
run his own line and he does have a problem as it will be next to impossible to keep quiet 
though I can think of one or two or are fantastic at doing this and deserve much praise who
then must boil when they see others not doing it so well but there is not always loads of
complaints on this as many will make allowances for those left to cope on their own and
do the duel role of linesman and manager but I suppose strictly speaking it would be much
better if they could find a helper to line for them.

There has been a recent problem with the line not being put out on the Inters pitch and not
all managers doing their bit in putting up and taking down equipment on the Inters too though I think the Mains pitch has had no problems in this respect though both League could do with one or two of the managers getting there a little earlier when they are due to put equipment up sometimes.
There should always be a guide line put up down one side of both the Inters and Mains pitches
for safety reasons and last week when this was not put up this caused a few problems for 
the Inters.
Please can all managers try and do their bit and put up their share of equipment and sometimes
it is nice when both sets put up together and do each goal and the line together instead of
doing their bit and leaving the remaining equipment for someone else to deal with but for this
to happen we would need both sets of managers to be there at a decent time together.
When it comes to putting away equipment some teams do not do their full share and rely on
others doing it for them too, come on everyone it is just part of the job.

There has been some complaints about refereeing
Now this is something that is always going to happen but it is sad that this has led to a 
neutral referee having to be found in one of our age groups but then again this official is doing
a fine job at present. I never felt totally comfortable refereeing but on the balance of it I did 
enjoy it though I know I got many things wrong along the way but always did my best and called
it as I saw it and even when doing that we are going to upset someone. I have nothing but 
praise for those who have a bad experience and bounce back the next week to get stuck in 
again and one or two people spring to mind who have my full admiration and respect.
It's up to us managers to try and calm our supporters to help protect the officials not add 
to the problem by joining in publicly. Again if there is a problem address this problem properly
at a later date through the correct channels. On match day let's stick together cause next time
it could just be you facing the complaints and any help and support is greatly needed and 
appreciated.

The problems with offside decisions
This has come up for a few reasons and among those are the times when a linesperson is
too involved with supporting his team rather than officiating.
Also many do not realise that on the Inters pitch if any player from the attacking team is in
an offside position when the ball is played forward regardless of involvement in the move then
 the flag will go up and the  whistle will go for a free kick to the defending team.
Though on the Mains pitch the proper professional rules are played and for a team to be
offside then the player in an offside position has to be interfering with play and many come
up from the Inters and forget this.
Also like with refereeing if the linesperson makes a mistake it is just that a mistake, I have 
seen many of these made down the years and quite often over time these tend to even up
and you get mistakes both for you and against you.

Problems with managers not refereeing their matches
If a manager can not referee a game that they are due to then it is up to them to get a replacement
and inform the relevant referee's secretary. There has been occasions this season when the
same old faces are relied upon to referee games which they are not due to do and we have a
few unsung heroes who are very under appreciated. In fact I can name occasions when one
of our stalwarts has maybe made one mistake and is slated for it but does loads of extra work
all season and gets next to no recognition
Come on everyone lets stick together on this and help each other out.

These and other problems have really been hitting the atmosphere down the park lately
and it is a shame, after all it is not what we are normally like.
We give so many children the chance to play football who would not get it elsewhere
and we are not all about winning at all costs or that is my belief.
I suppose that is easy for me to say with my success rate at football management but
I get my buzz from seeing the enjoyment that everyone gets and this recent bout of
problems has really damaged that.
I have to be honest and say that some of the recent troubles have really got to me and
hence I have not been doing my job so well and have not kept the website up to the
high standards we set last season but to do my bit I now intend to get on top of that.

So I will finish my piece by saying that the above is solely my opinions and not that
of the committee so I take full blame if I am wrong or upset anyone but I have just been
brought down by some of the recent events.
I just hope the good feelings that are normally the main thing about our brand of
football will be returning and more smiles will be seen as after all we do this for 
enjoyment and recreation, come on everyone let's pull together.
After all surely this is all about the children and not about the supporters or any 
others, we are there to support them and encourage them all.
The managers and helpers are there to ensure all is run smoothly and safely and
the committee overseas all of this and for me many of these people are very
unappreciated especially the committee members who put in so much hard 
work and long hours far beyond a Sunday morning but only seem to get to hear
complaints.

Steve Tanner

  The following has come in from Chris Lynam of the Mains Royal Dynamos:

Hi
I read the letter Steve put on the website and was  disappointed to hear some of the things that are going on
I thought we were getting on an even keel with issues about managers etc but obviously I was wrong

I would have to say I don’t consider myself a manager more an organiser for a group of kids who want to play football in an enjoyable atmosphere that includes me as well. perhaps the title manager gives people ideas above their station its kids and football first

Us as organisers/managers need to want to get up in the morning looking forward to going down the park not worrying about what grief we are going to get

I do get excited and disappointed on the side line at times at my guys but always apologise if I do get out of my pram and though I do wonder at some decisions that are made by refs or linesmen we are not professionals in that area and people have different perspectives on what they see or interpret it to be .once a decision is made you should stick to it right or wrong if errors are made people should be put right in a coaching style to help them make a better decision next time confrontation accusation and abuse should not be the order of the day .

If I see 2 players going shoulder to shoulder challenging for the ball I let that go though you do hear comments from spectators about challenges like this in my mind there has to be an amount of physical contact otherwise how else do you play the game

I am guilty of one of steves points and that coaching whilst lining
I cant help it I even do it for the under 21s team I run as well
It is really difficult to find someone from my teams guardians to do the line either because of lack of knowledge for running it or potential to be made not to enjoy game from comments made from spectators or reacting with spectators over decisions .

I have been doing it long enough for it not to rattle me yes I have been called a cheat etc but again as above I make a decision based on what I see and know.if other people see things differently so be it  that’s what makes the world go round .

What people mean by coaching from the line is also another area for clarification probably 70% to 80% of my coaching is encouragement i.e. well dones etc and silence

It is not a continual barrage of instructions the spectators do more of that than me I am happy to be one of the few who do encourage the kids.

I would have to say though that this time of year after xmas is notorious for moans and groans I manage 25 people at my workplace and I see exactly the same thing

Once the sun starts shining and it gets warmer we may see a difference (hopefully)

Chin up chest out once more into the breach remember its for the kids  

Thanks Chris, much appreciated.

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