Below are the facts behind Malet Lambert YC being deducted 3 points per match not played at the start of the season.

3 years ago the League indicated that all clubs must achieve Charter Standard to be accepted into the League.

At each subsequent meeting this was reiterated to all clubs.

Towards the end of last season letters went out to the Clubs who had still not achieved Charter Standard informing them that they must have this in place or they will not be accepted into the League. The Club attended a non Charter Standard Club workshop in September 2008 to ascertain what the requirements were to become Charter Standard.

A deadline date for reaching Charter Standard of 31st August 2009 was given. Every other club in the League had achieved Charter Standard status by this date.

In July a meeting was set up with the Club, League and the Charter Standard Committee to go through what was outstanding to help.

By 31st August, Malet Lambert still did not have Charter Standard so and the League offered a further deadline date of the start of the fixtures which was 12th September 2009.

On the 9th September it was apparent that the Club would not have Charter Standard in place in time for 12th September so at this time it was decided the Club was suspended for two weeks in order to give them time to obtain the Charter Standard.

A Management Committee meeting was held and it was decided that under Girls League Rule 10F the Club were guilty of not fulfilling their fixtures at this time.

The Rule 10F states ‘……In the event of a Club failing to keep its engagement the Management Committee shall have power to inflict a fine, deduct points from the defaulting Club, award the points to the opponents……’

The Management Committee decided to deduct 3 points for each of the matches that were not played within the two week period and it was also decided that the matches be rescheduled to take place at a later date. No fine was imposed and it was felt that it would be in the best interests of the girls to reschedule the matches.

After sending the decision to the Club they made an appeal to the East Riding County FA against the decision.

An appeal hearing was held with members of the Girls League, Malet Lambert Club and the Charter Standard Committee all being present. It was decided by the East Riding County FA Appeal Commission that the Club had no grounds for appeal and that the League had acted in accordance with the Rule. It was stated that there is no further appeal that the Club can now make and that the decision is binding.

I trust this will now clarify the facts about the whole situation.

Tina Edwards
League Secretary