Minutes of the BTTL Committee meeting held at 7.30pm on Friday 1st December at the Beaumont Arms, Ladybridge.
Present: Messrs. Barker, Bolton, Caswell, Chauhan, Rothwell, Tatlock, D Scowcroft (in the chair), J Scowcroft, Mrs Barker, Mrs Smart & Mrs Scowcroft.
Apologies for absence: Mr Bradbury
Minutes of the last meeting: These had been circulated and were agreed.
Matters Arising: None
Correspondence: We had received an email from D*** J**** of H***** B to say he was surprised to see L** D******** playing for a second division side. Nothing personal but thoughts were that inclusion in Division Two may skew the league depending on his availability and probably cup results too. His opinion was that higher level players don’t need to be in lower divisions as they soon return to their previous standard. The General Secretary had replied to the effect that we do have a rule that a player cannot play in a lower division than the previous season unless they are part of a relegated team without the approval of the Management Committee. If they have missed a season they are then free to join another team. He didn’t know what kind of pleasure they get out of it but there are quite a few in the league at the moment playing below their real standard. Without bringing in further restricting rules it is difficult to see what to do re interfering and splitting teams up and forcing them to play with others or not play at all.
The Committee did not have much to add apart from saying that no existing rules were being broken, but the correspondent would be invited to consider any suitable rule proposal for the next AGM that could be acceptable to the majority of players. It was noted that the player concerned had played on a regular basis for the team.
An email from Brian Young of the Hilton Centre had asked why Division 4 was still mentioned for the Individual Divisional Championships. The General Secretary said that he had left it
It was decided to put Division Four onto the Tuesday as the entries were composed of a lot of juniors and that was their traditional night. This would leave Friday free for a Hilton Club night.
Brian Young had also questioned the five appearance rule for qualification for entry. Was that not too high now it had been moved to mid-season?
It was decided that three league appearances would qualify for entry.
General Secretary’s Report: A short list of players had previously been circulated who were asking to play a division down without being relegated last year. These were mainly for cover or teams could not be manned. The Committee had already approved these.
Alan Calvert and Barry Walsh
Match Secretary’s Report: A match from the first half of the season between Farnworth SC A v Coburg had not taken place as it was reported that the room was unavailable and was therefore postponed. However, it did not take place within the four weeks allowed after which the Committee
Treasurer’s Report: We had £5,035 in the bank and £1,022 in PayPal. All team money had been received and we had paid the Lancashire fees of £624. Statements have appeared to be going to the previous treasurer despite three of us meeting with the RBS. The treasurer would be visiting the bank to try and sort this out.
Inter-league Secretary’s Report: None
Tournament Secretary’s Report: The Match Secretary stated that entries so far were: Prem. – 6; Div.1 – 7; Div. 2 – 2 and Div. 3 – 13.
AOB: It was asked if some application could be devised so that a running total could be kept automatically as a cup match proceeded perhaps on a mobile phone. This would be investigated.
Thanks were given by the Match Secretary to all those who had been assisting by entering Match Cards.
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