Welcome to the website of the Chelmsford Sunday League.
Beret and Atletico Maldon are safely through to the Sunday Premier Cup quarter-finals. Atletico won 3-1 against Railway Academicals while Beret were held 2-2 by Harlow Corinthia, winning the penalty shoot-out 3-0. In the Junior Trophy, Woodham Radars A overcame Harold Wood Atletic Reserves 2-1 to reach the fourth round. Domestically, Billersports beat the weather to trounce Queens Park Hannakins 6-0 in the Coward Cup and Chelmer Wanderers returned from Hutton with an 8-3 victory and a place in the Gillott Trophy third round. In the League, Division One leaders Broomfield CSL suffered their first defeat as Anchor Athletic took the points 3-0 while Ramsden Scotia returned to the top with a 6-1 defeat of Danbury Athletic. Wins for Hatfield Peverel and Draco put them back in the Division Two promotion places. Great Baddow Reserves held Division Four leaders Old Chelmsfordians 2-2 to stay in the promotion race.
Updated on 19th December 2024. Reports from Sunday added.
Broomfield CSL travel to MATES at the top of Division One with leaders Ramsden Scotia at Waltham United. Division Two leaders are at promotion rivals The Rodings while Draco entertain Beaulieu Park.
All match reports, including goalscorers, should be emailed to our Publicity Officer, Tony Foster, as soon as possible after the match. This applies to all matches including County Cup even if you're not playing a Chelmsford Sunday League opponent. We also wish to publicise your Club in Grassroots Magazine, our sponsors, so contact Tony Foster to arrange an interview with the editor.
TEAM SHEETS
All Clubs are reminded that a team sheet MUST be provided to the Referee on the League prescribed form prior to every match in accordance with Rule 20.F. Failure to do so will result in a fine.
Club Secretaries are reminded to log on to their WGS dashboard weekly to ensure any disciplinary notices are read and actioned. If you have a player serving a suspension it is your responsibility to notify the matches that the player will miss. All automatic suspensions resulting from red card offences will commence 7 days after the red card. If in doubt contact the ECFA.
NOTICEBOARD
Looking for players? Looking for a Club? Looking for a friendly match? Got an event you need publicising? - send us a notice and we'll do our best to fix it. (Notices will stay for 4 weeks unless you request removal earlier).
CLUBS looking for players/volunteers
Advertise here if you are looking for players. To place an advert send us the details. Alternatively, you can access the Essex FA's Find Football service.
REVISIONS TO THE LAWS OF THE GAME
The International Football Association Board have made some minor changes to the Laws of the Game for the 2024-25 season.
You can access the FA website.
Briefly, those that are relevant are:
- Law 3 - The Players
Each team must have a captain on the field of play who wears an identifying armband (see Law 4). - Law 4 - The Players' Equipment
Shinguards - these must be made of a suitable material and be of an appropriate size to provide reasonable protection and be covered by the socks. Players are responsible for the size and suitability of their shinguards. - Law 4 - The Players' Equipment
The team captain must wear the armband issued or authorised by the relevant competition organiser, or a single-coloured armband that may also have the word "captain" or the letter "C", which should also be a single colour. - Law 12 Fouls and Misconduct
Clarification that non-deliberate handball offences for which penalties are awarded are to be sanctioned in the same way as fouls which are an attempt to play the ball or a challenge for the ball. - Law 14 The Penalty Kick
Clarification that part of the ball must touch or overhang the centre of the penalty mark.
Encroachment by players will be penalised only if it has an impact (same philosophy as goalkeeper encroachment). - Temporary Dismissals (Sin-bins)
Once the temporary dismissal period has been completed, the player can return from the touchline with the referee's permission, when the ball is next out of play.
A player who receives two cautions (YCs) in the same match is sent off (RC), even if one caution is/both cautions are for a temporary dismissal offence.
Need new kit or equipment for the season?
If you are considering buying a new kit for next season please be aware that you MUST get the approval of the Competition before buying a kit. It must not be black or predominately black (or very dark blue). Although the professional Clubs can wear black, the rules at our level of football prohibit teams playing in black as our Match Officials are required to wear black. This includes the goalkeeper kit. If you are planning on a striped kit ensure the back of the shirts are not black. Referees can refuse you permission to wear such a kit and you may be required to change. If complaints are received the League Management Committee has the power to prevent a kit from being worn which could mean wasted expense. For further details please contact the League Secretary
Player Registrations
Player Registration for season 2024/25 is being carried out through the Club Portal. All players will be required to have a valid email address on the system so make sure you get this information from the players. See the Knowledge Base for more information. Clubs are encouraged to ensure their players are entered on to the system in good time, especially when signing on the day. Please do not "create" a new player if you know the player has played previously as this will cause you difficulties in the future. If you need help please contact Dave Emerton.
Important dates - Secretaries please read.
- 20th August 2024 - Clubs must have at least 8 players per team registered with Registration Secretary Martin Smith
- 1st September 2024 - League season starts.
- 22nd December 2024 - There will be fixtures scheduled. Clubs/Teams wishing no fixture MUST request in writing/email to the Fixture Secretary before 22nd November 2024.
- 29th December 2024 - There will not be any fixtures scheduled - Happy Christmas/New Year!
- 31st March 2025 - The last day for registering or transfering players.
- 20th April 2025 - Easter - there will be fixtures scheduled. Clubs/Teams wishing no fixture MUST request in writing/email to the Fixture Secretary before 1st March 2025.
- 31st May 2025 - League season concludes.
Fixtures may be allocated on any Sunday between the commencing and concluding dates (except as stated above). Just because you have not been allocated a fixture doesn't mean you won't get one at short notice. The weather and ECFA Cup competitions may result in weekly fixture amendments. Please inform the Fixture Secretary if you require an away or no fixture on a particular date as soon as possible and definitely before the second monday of the previous month. Waiting for the fixtures to be produced is too late! If you share your pitch with a team from another Competition please let the Fixture Secretary know. Also if your pitch is not available for whetever reason please let the Fixture Secretary know so that arrangements can be made to accommodate this.
2023/24 Roll Of Honour
| Competition | Winners | Runners-up |
|---|---|---|
| Premier Division | Atletico Maldon | Priory Sports |
| Division One | Eagle & Hind Chelmsford | Ongar United |
| Division Two | Beret | FFB |
| Division Three | Broomfield CSL | Burnham Ramblers |
| Division Four | Hatfield Peverel Res. | Ravens Legends |
| Coward Cup | Atletico Maldon | Priory Sports |
| Gillott Trophy | AFC Ingatestone | Hatfield Peverel Res. |
| League Cup (Premier) | Atletico Maldon | Priory Sports |
| League Cup (One) | ||
| League Cup (Two) | Beret | Anchor Athletic |
| League Cup (Three) | Writtle | AFC Ingatestone |
| League Cup (Four) | Draco | The Rodings |
Other awards presented after the AGM were:
Sportsmanship Cup (Overall winners): Waltham United
Sportsmanship Certificate (Premier Division): Priory Sports
Sportsmanship Certificate (Division One): Waltham United
Sportsmanship Certificate (Division Two): MATES
Sportsmanship Certificate (Division Three): Hannakins Farm Reserves
Sportsmanship Certificate (Division Four): Waltham United Reserves
Club Linesman's Cup: Richard Moore (Priory Sports)
Hi-Scorers Award: Hatfield Peverel Reserves.
Arthur Wells Trophy: Dave Brignall
Mental Health Awareness in Football A new Mental Health Awareness in Football Poster which aims to support grassroots football clubs in raising awareness of, and breaking the stigma around, mental health is being displayed in clubhouses and on social media accounts.
The editable poster, which is available to download from the Essex FA website, features contact details for many supportive organisations, including the Samaritans and Mind. The custom PDF file allows clubs to add their name and pledge to join us in highlighting that sport can play a huge role in tackling stigma and its effects by:
* breaking down boundaries between people with and without mental health problems
* creating social integrations and boosting self-confidence
* tackling physical health inequalities
ECFA Disciplinary Procedure 2024/25
The Discipline Procedures for 2024/25 are the same as last season. Match Day discipline is in operation for most offences although more serious offences can incur period based suspensions (from all football).
Players and Club Secretaries need to be aware that any player receiving a red card WILL be suspended 7 days after the event from that class of football (Saturday, Sunday, Midweek or Veterans). This will be automatic and there is no appeal procedure (except for wrongful dismissal or mistaken identity). The suspension is from that particular class of football so a player sent off for a Saturday team will still be able to play Sunday football. Please be aware that any improper conduct that is not a red card offence will result in a suspension from ALL FOOTBALL from a date to be advised. The matches to be missed must be notified in advance to the ECFA. There are a number of documents online with further details and procedures - refer to the Essex FA website for further details.
If you need any clarification please contact your ECFA Representative, Dave Emerton, or the senior Disciplinary Officer at the ECFA so that you don't get caught out. A player found playing whilst under suspension will receive a further suspension (from ALL football) together with a fine and the Club will be fined by the ECFA - this is before (and in addition to) any action by the League for playing an ineligible player.
Discipline information can be found on your Club portal.
Important note regarding Suspensions. If you have players under a suspension and a match is postponed it is your responsibility to notify the ECFA of the revised suspension matches.
Policy regarding postponements due to failing to agree upon a Referee (see page 28 of the handbook)
All Clubs are required to make every effort to complete their engagements.
However, the League recognises that there is a shortage of Referees at the present time and its not always possible to appoint a Registered Referee to each match.
The League will try to minimise the impact of this and will attempt to cover all matches.
Clubs are reminded that Referees may be appointed at any time up to the scheduled kick-off time and should therefore be prepared to play.
If no Referee has been appointed or the appointed Referee fails to attend the Clubs are required to provide an individual to referee the match.
If a match is not played due to the lack of an appointed Referee and the Clubs are unable to agree a Referee in accordance with Rule 23.B, both Clubs will be charged with breach of Rule 20.E - Failing to fulfil a fixture and given an opportunity to respond.
If the match was postponed for this reason prior to the scheduled kick-off time and both Clubs are guilty of the offence, the policy of the Management Committee is to fine both Clubs £20 and declare the match void. If the match was postponed after the scheduled kick-off time and both Clubs are guilty of the offence, the policy of the Management Committee is to fine both Clubs £20 and rearrange the fixture if time allows.
If either Club provides a suitable individual the match must be played unless full reasons are given in writing for non-fulfilment.
RESULTS AND RESULT SHEETS
Results should be submitted using the FA Full Time SMS Text service to allow quick updating of the League Tables and results pages. All Club Secretaries have their mobile number registered automatically unless you Contact us to add/change a different number. Result sheets should be submitted via the Full Time website - again Club Secretaries will be set up to do this. If you have any difficulties with this process please Contact us for help.
You will all have heard of the FA Respect Programme and no doubt have seen it in action. The Programme is being introduced by The FA to help raise standards and address abusive behaviour in the game. The Respect Programme is a key aspect of the FA 's vision for the future and The FA hopes that, as well as improving behaviour in the game at all levels, it helps with the recruitment and retention of referees. The Chelmsford Sunday League is fully supportive of this initiative and asks all participants, whether it be as player, club official, match official or spectator to treat all others with respect, and to enjoy the game whatever the outcome. See our Codes of Conduct.
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