Ground Grading Visits Underway
Wed 27th August 2014 | General | By Ian Templeman
With the season now a few weeks old, League Ground Grading Chairman Geoff Wilkinson is currently "doing the rounds" and carrying out grading inspections.
Geoff is now about halfway through the programme of visits to grounds, with 20 clubs visited so far, and he reports that his visits are following a familiar pattern - the usual mix of pleasant surprises, and in the case of some, no surprise.
But overall, Geoff says the picture is a positive one.
"As a League we are hoping that with the reduction in grading fee at the last AGM, the clubs will use that money to help maintain their grounds", he said.
"At present we are seeing a reduction in the number of items which require bringing up to the standard required, varying from grass removal on the hardstanding to having to stop a club playing at their home ground until the improvements they are undertaking are completed to meet the national grading standard.
"One of the challenges of grading is speaking to clubs about improvements and possible designs. We're well aware that any actions we place on clubs will cost either time or money, that’s why we ask clubs to consider their options and discuss them with us before proceeding. The comments that mean the most are along the lines of “yes, you cost us money, but after going through it all with you, it saved us money".
Our League is of course, one of the best when it comes to clubs being ready for promotion to Step 4, and Geoff is keen to ensure that standard is maintained.
"Thanks to the work done jointly with Alan Allcock of The Northern Premier League over the last five or six seasons, the North West Counties League has the highest number of clubs in the country achieving the promotion Grade of E. Last season we had seven clubs who met the criteria - Barnoldswick Town, Bootle. Congleton Town, Glossop North End, Norton United, Runcorn Linnets & Runcorn Town.
"As a League we are very proud that a club from our League has always been promoted to the next higher level in the National League System. After all, the Leagues should all be striving to promote clubs, and then where appropriate assisting any relegated teams to get back on their feet and get in the race again.
"It does seem a pity that the bottom clubs from the Northern Premier League are not automatically relegated at the end of the season, with the get out clause usually being teams going out of existence.
"Just as a reminder to everyone, promoted clubs now have to have the grade for the Division they are promoted from at the time of promotion, and then by 31st March of the following season they must obtaining the higher Grade e.g. promoted clubs from Division One last season, 1874 Northwich and Nelson must reach Grade F by 31st March 2015, and the grading for these two clubs must be approved by FA grading inspectors".
However, despite the many positive stories from around the League, Geoff has inevitably found situations where there is room for improvement.
"One item that annoys me as a former whistle blower is that we have found five Technical Areas marked incorrectly at the First Division clubs", he said. "I thought the Referees were supposed to check these prior to the game, but never mind, we won’t criticise them out of respect.
"On the subject of technical areas, it does appear that the wear indicates more than two people have been allowed to stand in them during the game, managers please take note.
"Some scenarios crop up regularly, such as when you advise a club about an item which requires attention and get told “We know about that”. To quote Farny (former Ground Grading Chairman Alan Farnworth: “If you knew about it, why haven’t you done it, it would save me writing it on a report and coming back to check”. From my recollection, on a few occasions there may have been a few expletives included".
Despite some problem areas, Geoff believes that in general, the standards are good, but is more than happy to take advice from elsewhere that will help improve facilities.
"It was very interesting to read Warren Dodd’s article on the League website, where he mentioned that a representative from the Youth Alliance AGM was making comments about our grounds", said Geoff. "He is more than welcome to come out with us on a grading visit and assist us improving. We have no problem with that, put up or shut up please.
"Working together with all our clubs has made The North West Counties Football League respected highly from above with regard to the grading carried out by the Management Committee, and to quote Warren again - “Keep up the good work”".
Ground Grading Visits Underway
Wed 27th August 2014 | General
By Ian Templeman
With the season now a few weeks old, League Ground Grading Chairman Geoff Wilkinson is currently "doing the rounds" and carrying out grading inspections.
Geoff is now about halfway through the programme of visits to grounds, with 20 clubs visited so far, and he reports that his visits are following a familiar pattern - the usual mix of pleasant surprises, and in the case of some, no surprise.
But overall, Geoff says the picture is a positive one.
"As a League we are hoping that with the reduction in grading fee at the last AGM, the clubs will use that money to help maintain their grounds", he said.
"At present we are seeing a reduction in the number of items which require bringing up to the standard required, varying from grass removal on the hardstanding to having to stop a club playing at their home ground until the improvements they are undertaking are completed to meet the national grading standard.
"One of the challenges of grading is speaking to clubs about improvements and possible designs. We're well aware that any actions we place on clubs will cost either time or money, that’s why we ask clubs to consider their options and discuss them with us before proceeding. The comments that mean the most are along the lines of “yes, you cost us money, but after going through it all with you, it saved us money".
Our League is of course, one of the best when it comes to clubs being ready for promotion to Step 4, and Geoff is keen to ensure that standard is maintained.
"Thanks to the work done jointly with Alan Allcock of The Northern Premier League over the last five or six seasons, the North West Counties League has the highest number of clubs in the country achieving the promotion Grade of E. Last season we had seven clubs who met the criteria - Barnoldswick Town, Bootle. Congleton Town, Glossop North End, Norton United, Runcorn Linnets & Runcorn Town.
"As a League we are very proud that a club from our League has always been promoted to the next higher level in the National League System. After all, the Leagues should all be striving to promote clubs, and then where appropriate assisting any relegated teams to get back on their feet and get in the race again.
"It does seem a pity that the bottom clubs from the Northern Premier League are not automatically relegated at the end of the season, with the get out clause usually being teams going out of existence.
"Just as a reminder to everyone, promoted clubs now have to have the grade for the Division they are promoted from at the time of promotion, and then by 31st March of the following season they must obtaining the higher Grade e.g. promoted clubs from Division One last season, 1874 Northwich and Nelson must reach Grade F by 31st March 2015, and the grading for these two clubs must be approved by FA grading inspectors".
However, despite the many positive stories from around the League, Geoff has inevitably found situations where there is room for improvement.
"One item that annoys me as a former whistle blower is that we have found five Technical Areas marked incorrectly at the First Division clubs", he said. "I thought the Referees were supposed to check these prior to the game, but never mind, we won’t criticise them out of respect.
"On the subject of technical areas, it does appear that the wear indicates more than two people have been allowed to stand in them during the game, managers please take note.
"Some scenarios crop up regularly, such as when you advise a club about an item which requires attention and get told “We know about that”. To quote Farny (former Ground Grading Chairman Alan Farnworth: “If you knew about it, why haven’t you done it, it would save me writing it on a report and coming back to check”. From my recollection, on a few occasions there may have been a few expletives included".
Despite some problem areas, Geoff believes that in general, the standards are good, but is more than happy to take advice from elsewhere that will help improve facilities.
"It was very interesting to read Warren Dodd’s article on the League website, where he mentioned that a representative from the Youth Alliance AGM was making comments about our grounds", said Geoff. "He is more than welcome to come out with us on a grading visit and assist us improving. We have no problem with that, put up or shut up please.
"Working together with all our clubs has made The North West Counties Football League respected highly from above with regard to the grading carried out by the Management Committee, and to quote Warren again - “Keep up the good work”".