AFCRD No1 Shirt

[Trek]

It will be now be interesting to see how this proposed consultation with Southern League Member Clubs develops over the next few months. The reason the FA, back in 2003, drafted the rule that all clubs in Step 2 and below were requested to incorporate into their constitution was because the 'squad system' numbering with individual player's names on match shirts was considered an unnecessary financial burden to clubs below Step 1 level.

[davealbon]

So there is no FA rule to say clubs below Conf National should wear starting numbers 1 - 11?

Correct.

Presumably FA competitions fall under FA shirt number guidelines so they must have something... For which presumably the club have asked permission not to wear the number 1 shirt.

The rule for all FA Competitions (Cup, Trophy, Vase and Youth Cup) is that you can use whatever shirt numbers you want. We can play in 89-99 if we want, and in fact, in our first season in the FA Youth Cup (and quite possibly last season too) our 'keeper probably wore number 86 (the year of Dale's birth).

[Pigman]

"Rules are for the obedience of fools and the guidance of wise men."

Never a truer word spoken!

The SL have been made to look foolish, which is what they were! A simple rule change was required which other leagues have been enlightened enough to do because they realised it was the right thing. "We were only following orders" is no defence!! They had it in their power to do what has been done - they chose not to!

Sure we have made no friends over this, but IMO and that of many other people it was an issue we felt strongly about - had the SL seen the light as the UCL did I'm sure many would have applauded them - they didn't so heaped pressure and criticism on themselves and rightly so!!

Rules are there for guidance - it takes some common sense to apply them wisely, this was sadly lacking in this case!

[Pete]

How very interesting, Dave. Thanks!

[sussexdiamond]

Pigman says "sure we have made no friends over this". Whilst I appreciate he is probably referring to the SL, on the contrary think overall we have made many new friends. Certainly we have had support from several other SL clubs so I don't think we need fear any proposal to amend the rule at the next AGM.

[Trek]

Certainly we have had support from several other SL clubs so I don't think we need fear any proposal to amend the rule at the next AGM.

Whilst many Southern League member clubs may have supported us in principle over this matter I think we should reserve judgement to see what proposal comes out out of the 'consultation exercise' since the FA have alluded to squad numbers which is my fear and will have serious cost implications for all clubs in the Southern League as I mentioned earlier.
I do hope a simple solution is found to this issue, to enable a minor amendment to the current rules, without resorting to a 'sledge hammer to crack a nut' proposal.

[Pigman]

If the UCL can find appropriate words for their rules, surely the SL can? All they need to do is a quick cut and paste job eh? My expectations are they will pose some convoluted proposal that will take months of discussion and debate ;)

[Trek]

That would be too easy for the Southern League I reckon. Interesting that's there has been absolutely nothing on the Southern League's website following Thursday's appeal.

[Pigman]

Here you go, I'll draft the proposal for them:

"We propose a change to the current rules relating to shirt numbers. Our proposal is that shirts must be numbered 1-17 in such a way that the numbers can be clearly identified by officials and spectators - all those in favour vote yes to accept the proposed amendment to our rules ".

There, all done, free of charge !! Not difficult is it? ;)

[Trek]

Far far too easy, Piggers. You'll be doing the 'blazers' out of a job. Now we can't have that can we? :o