More Relegation Controversy?

[Counting Crows]

Taken from Risca's programme:

"At least we now know what we have to do, following a Welsh Football League carve up last week when the Management Committee "persuaded" almost all the 1st. and 2nd. division clubs (and incredibly a few from the 3rd. !) to change the rules about ground criteria and relegation. If the F.A.W. rubber stamp the decision in their December meeting, (which they are bound to do), it means that the bottom five clubs of the third Division will be relegated in May. Relegation will not now be on ground criteria. Had that been the case then the Management Committee would have had to do what they are expected to do, Manage ! but to do that they would have to relegate clubs who have representatives on the Management Committee and they weren’t going to do that.

So stand by for more appeals etc. at the end of the season, as there are at least 17 of the present 50 clubs who are already failing to achieve the stated ground criteria presently demanded by the Welsh League for this season. Perhaps that explains why Goytre, Newport Civil Service, Cwmamman United, Monmouth Town and Treowen Stars of the 3rd. Division voted along with the likes of Treharris, Croesyceiliog, Caerleon, Pontardawe, Ely Rangers, Garden Village, and Cardiff Carries etc. all of whom fail to reach even the minimum standard of facilities required."

Well, i really didn't see this coming

I wonder if we can trust the WL Committee this time. Or will they change it from league-placing to ground criteria for a laugh half way through the season...?

[Bored]

Risca.Who cares what they think?

[matt]

about time to , the welsh league has always been a closed shop with most of the clubs have shocking facilities.
there are now 3 teams in place with far superior grounds and the teams to match.
there are 60 yes 60 teams going for one welsh league place shocking to say the least
i have always said promote 4 teams if they have the facilities and relegate four from the 3 division,
give teams something to aim for and keep it intresting and get rid of the clubs that finish in the bottom 4 of the 3 rd division

[Legend 7]

Am I missing something here?

RISCA UNITED naming other clubs? Seriously? They have now totally alienated these clubs, and they were far from popular after their antics last summer already!

I must have missed their move to the Gwent Bernebeu??

Previous post is absolutely right - who cares what Risca say!

[Legend 7]

Ely Rangers - emlighten me as to what is wrong with their ground and how on God's earth Risca feel theirs is better than a ground like Ely Rangers!?!?

[Brian]

The only thing wrong with Ely's ground is that there is a wall about 1m away from the touchline, running down the far side of the ground, which is a little bit dangerous/difficult to take long throw-ins. Other than that, an excellent facility. Far superior to risca's ground, where they most count the trickle of water coming from two of their showers as working.

It's about time Risca concerntrated on getting things right on the pitch, rather than looking a loop poles to bail their underperforming team out of trouble.

Anyway, rather than singling teams out shouldnt they direct their abuse to the WL committee, as they should be policing the ground criteria, not Risca and their solicitors!

[Counting Crows]

I'm surprised a club have made an official statement (for that is what it is if it's in the programme) condeming clubs by name. They certainly aren't doing themselves any favours in the popularity stakes.

On to the subject of criteria, at the moment, there are probably only four clubs in the whole of the WL that could make the step up to the WPL. Thankfully they're all in D1.

Personally, i'd like to see a new set of criteria for D1 (to be phased in over a number of seasons), which would be a spring board for the Domestic Licence, and then a separate set for D2 and D3 - the current set would be fine!

Clubs not interested or unable to afford the WPL can settle down in D2/3 and allow those with ambition / larger fan bases / better finances to make up a competitive D1. To combat "promotion blocking" to D1, promotion slots can just filter down to clubs who meet the criteria.

With the WPL fully licensed, funds from the WGI are available to tier 2 and 3 clubs...

[Groundhopper of Zurich]

What a great idea. Rename the WFL the WFL. The Welsh Facilities League! Why bother getting muddy, cold and wet. Why bother trying to get a decent football team. Simply enter your ground. The dug out challenge, the softest toliet paper in the refs' bogs, the nicest cup of Bovril, the best looking bar maid. The possibilities are endless. Well done Risca. You get my vote!

[jazzman]

???Matt really knows his stuff doesn't he!!!

There is currently the possibility of 3 teams being relegated from the 3rd Division every season and one team promoted from each of the feeder leagues -West Wales, South Wales and Gwent. That's hardly a closed shop - what more does he want!!

The reason I say possibility above, is that quite often not all the feeder leagues nominate a team for promotion. This hardly indicates that there are 60 teams somewhere clamouring to get into the Welsh Laegue, does it?