Competition Fixture Postponements

A reminder on competition fixture postponements.

It is possible from time to time that a pitch will be too wet, or frozen, and can't be used for a home fixture.
Most often it is up to us as team managers to inspect the pitch early enough to let everyone know one way or the other.  Sometimes a referee will attend early and make a call.
When it is cold, pitches will sometimes be OK for an 11:00am or 14:00 start if the sun is out, but not for a 9:00am or 10:00am kick-off.  The difficulty is in making a call early enough - unless you have long experience of how quickly the local pitches thaw, you'll be looking early in the morning or the evening before and it will seem frozen.
A single frost will most likely be fine, the ground will 'take a stud', but if it has been below zero cold for several nights, and not warm during the day, the ground is far more likely to be frozen and not safe.  Obviously very much colder temperatures are more likely to result in a frozen pitch.

If, having inspected the pitch for a home game, it can't be used, there is a procedure to follow, linked below:

• For CYFL
• For GCGFL
• For GFA County Cup

If the position are contacting you about reversing an away fixture, get in touch with our own Fixtures Sec. Antony:

• Antony Davies, 07878 885203, fixtures@bishopscleevecolts.co.uk

For CYFL we must, without delay (see rules E. ii. and E. vi.):

• Contact the opposition, and see if they are able to reverse the fixture.
  • If they are able to reverse, then we must, so get details of the opposition's ground, and then tell the referee - make sure you speak to them or get a response.
  • If they are not able to reverse, then we must tell the league fixtures secretary BEFORE telling anyone it is postponed.
    • CYFL in particular book a bunch of pitches in Cheltenham each week, there may be a playable pitch booked that can be allocated.
    • U9 thru U11: Anil Patel, patel-anil@hotmail.com, 07799-828778 (no calls after 9pm, contact Dee if Anil not available)
    • U12 up: Dee Pates, cheltylsec@gmail.com, 07958-383221 (no calls after 9pm)
    • Once the league fixtures sec has agreed the postponement, then tell the opposition, referee & any other match officials, and referee appointments officer.
      • Stuart Evans, cyflrefsec22@gmail.com, 07738-678115 (no calls after 9pm)
  • Either way contact our own Fixtures Sec, Antony:
    • Antony Davies, 07878 885203, fixtures@bishopscleevecolts.co.uk
• If in doubt, check the handbook: https://www.cheltenhamyouthleague.co.uk/downloads/cyfl/130240_Cheltenham-Youth-League-2023-24-(23.06.23).pdf

For GCGFL we must, without delay (see rule E. ii.):

• Contact the league fixtures secretary, referee appointments secretary, the opposition manager/secretary, and the referee and any other match officials, and our own Fixtures Sec, Antony:
  • Fixtures Secretary: Ian Nelder-Morgan, 07393 308302, GCGLfixtures@gmail.com
  • Referee Appointments: vacant
  • Opposition: see Full Time e-mails, or league contact list here: https://resources.thefa.com/images/ftimages/data/league1073825/67761.pdf
  • Antony Davies, 07878 885203, fixtures@bishopscleevecolts.co.uk
• GCGFL don't have a reversals rule - if you can arrange a reversal with the opposition, go ahead.
• If in doubt, check the handbook: https://resources.thefa.com/images/ftimages/data/league1073825/18056.pdfCOntact

For GFA County Cup we must (see rule 7. a. and 7. b.):

County Cup administrators are not in the office over the weekend, so the process is a little different.

• Contact the opposition before 9.00am on the day of the fixture (could be the day before), and see if they are able to reverse the fixture.
  • If they are able to reverse, then we must, so get details of the opposition's ground, and then tell the referee - again before 9.00am on the day of the fixture. Make sure you speak to them or get a response.
  • The game is still treated as our home game (home team pays all match official fees).
  • If they are not to reverse, contact both the opposition and the referee, and GFA to notify the postponement - again before 9.00am on the day of the fixture. Make sure you speak to the referee or get a response.
    • support@gloucestershirefa.com 
  • Either way contact our own Fixtures Sec, Antony:
    • Antony Davies, 07878 885203, fixtures@bishopscleevecolts.co.uk
• GFA County Cup rules will be e-mailed to you the week before the game.