Minutes of the League Management Committee Meeting at Syston on Wednesday 7 November 2007

Present: Alan Jex (Chair, AJ), Jim Miller (Secretary, JM), Jim Bingham (JB), Iain Dodds (ID), Peter Harrison (PH), Sean Hewitt (SH), John Pattinson (JP), Mike Salisbury (MS), Steve Wylie (SW).

1. Apologies

Cyril and Julie Johnson, Mike Salisbury, John Pattinson.

2. Minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on 27 July were discussed.  JM pointed out that they should have included the fact that LMC had agreed in a brief discussion to adopt for 2007-8 a constitution derived directly from the previous constitution of LRCA (i.e. the one in use before LRCA Ltd was formed).  Subject to this addition the minutes were approved.

3. Matters Arising

None

4. LMC Membership

JM reported that Graham Hewitt had resigned from the committee because of the pressures of other commitments.  It was noted that LMC should if possible include at least one member who normally played in Divisions 4 and/or 5; and that it would be preferable if a new co-opted member came from a club not already represented on LMC.  It was agreed that SH would include on the Web site an appeal for volunteers for this position, and that JM would inform club secretaries of the vacancy.  If more than one name was put forward, an election would be necessary.

5. LMC Constitution, links with LRCA etc.

It was unanimously agreed that, as far as possible, the relationship between LMC and LRCA Ltd should mirror the situation that existed before the obligatory formation of the company: LMC would be closely associated with LRCA Ltd (the meaning of the word "affiliated" was thought to be ambiguous), but would continue to be wholly responsible for the running of the League.  One result of this relationship, which was felt to be very advantageous, would be that the LMC would calculate separately the fee income needed from each League team to cover the costs of all the League and Cup competitions, and LRCA Ltd would add to that the sums necessary to support county matches etc.  In this way the clubs would continue to receive one invoice per annum for all purposes, but would be able to see more clearly how their money would be spent.  A consequence of the LMC constitution would be that the LMC would hold its own AGM, at which only League and Cup matters would be discussed: again this was felt to be a good thing, as no such forum exists for the clubs at present.  The LMC AGM would be held in mid-April, i.e. near the end of the League season but before the LRCA Ltd AGM, and each club would be invited to send two delegates, who might or might not be the same as their delegates to the LRCA Ltd AGM.  Clubs could submit motions for the AGM agenda in the same way as previously applied to LRCA AGMs.  It was confirmed that the Mutual League, whose operations had not yet begun, would not be the responsibility of LMC during the current season, but its organisers would make a report to the LMC AGM so that its future administration could be considered in the broader context of all the counties' League and Cup events.

6. League Matters for the Current Season

6.1 Handbook

It was agreed that JM would send SH an electronic copy of the text (corrected where possible), and that in future seasons clubs should be asked how many copies of the Handbook they required: JM still had a small number of spare copies of the current Handbook.  The printed Handbooks should at least break even financially, and if all invoices were honoured should make a modest surplus this year.

6.2 League Results on the Web Site

It was noted with satisfaction that the results of League matches were again available in full on the Web site.

6.3 Minor League Issues for Information

JM reported that (a) The D2 League match between Market Harborough and Ashby had passed off without serious noise disruption; (b) A curious incident had occurred in D1 match, in which a player had accepted what he thought was a draw offer, but his opponent denied having made such an offer (the game was agreed drawn and the match result not affected); (c) A query had been raised by Hinckley about an invoice, which JM would sort out with MS; and (d) There appeared to be no D6 trophy now in existence – it was agreed that no immediate action was necessary.

6.4 Problems with Barred Player/Order of Strength Rules

LMC members considered in great detail two separate cases in which clubs appeared to be in breach of the new rules 13 and 16.

6.4.1 The first case involved the appearances of Paul Deacon for Spinney Hill.  This player has no 2007 grade since he played no games that would count towards such a grade, but is well known in the county, and for many years up to and including 2006 had an average grade in the mid-140s.  At the start of the season he played in two matches for SH2, winning in both cases against 130-graded opponents.  After discussion it was accepted on balance that, although Paul is unquestionably and by some distance the strongest player currently with the club, it was not wholly unreasonable for him to play for SH2 on his return to the game, especially as he played on top board in each case.  However it was felt that, once that early period was over (with a 180-rated outcome), and he played for SH1 (on 25/10/07 against Littlethorpe 4) on Board 4, a serious rule breach had occurred, as he played below players that are, by all normal judgements, significantly weaker than him and graded more than 10 points below Paul's 2006 grade.  It was reported that, prior to the start of that match, the Littlethorpe captain had pointed out to the SH captain that his board order was wrong and open to serious criticism, but that SH had refused to make any last-minute changes.  As a result Littlethorpe had registered a protest when the result was submitted, and JM had subsequently advised Rich Davis of SH that (a) Paul Deacon should be regarded as a barred player for SH1, and that (b) any further action would be considered by LMC.  For the discussion that followed, SH, PH and SW, as members of Littlethorpe, left the room.  It was noted that, in a breach of Rule 13 SH had not sought the secretary's advice on where exactly Paul Deacon should play (either before his appearances for SH2 or his first appearance for SH1).  LMC members felt that it was very important to enforce the new rules on order of strength etc, and considered a number of possible actions.  They finally decided in a unanimous vote that the penalty applied should be analogous to that used in the 4NCL and other chess Leagues, i.e. that the game of the team-member playing out of position, and the game of any players playing below him/her should be scored as losses for the purposes of the match result.  Such a penalty is in line with the provisions of LRCA League Rule 4.  (In this instance the consequence would be that the result of the match would be reversed, giving Littlethorpe a 3-2 win).  It was further agreed that the results of the games as played would continue to count for individuals' grading purposes.  It was noted that, under League Rule 7, Spinney Hill could appeal against this outcome (the appeal should be launched within 12 days, and on payment of a returnable £10 fee).  If the club did indeed decide to appeal the Secretary would arrange for a Disputes Committee of three people to be set up, the individuals concerned being unconnected with either the present LMC membership, or either of the two clubs concerned.

6.4.2 The second case involved Hinckley's matches in D3.  On 18 October the Hinckley team against Wigston 4 included Terry Clay (83) playing on board 3 above Brian Radesk (96).  On 1 November an even more serious rule breach occurred, when Terry Clay played above Albert Lusty (111) in a match against Spinney Hill: there seems to have been no formal protest in the first case, but there certainly was in the second case.  ID, as a member of Wigston, left the room for discussions on this issue.  LMC agreed unanimously that the same penalties should be applied to Hinckley as outlined in 6.4.1 above; that again the game results as played would count for grading; and that Hinckley could appeal in line with League Rule 7.  JM undertook to inform the clubs concerned of these conclusions and, if necessary, arrange for appeals to be heard expeditiously.

6.5 Players Without a Current Grade

In the light of the problems summarised in 6.4.1 above JM suggested, and it was agreed, that he would write to club secretaries to advise them that, if they acquired new players without a 2007 grade, a 2006 grade could be used for the purposes of establishing barred player lists, order of strength etc.  This would be only advice for this season, and the rule might be changed for 2008-9 to allow this increased flexibility.

7. Summer Cup Matters

7.1 Wylie Cup

It was agreed that SH would purchase a cup for presentation as the Wylie Cup, at an estimated cost of £60-£70.  It was further agreed that, although the Chapman is now quite elderly and battered-looking, it should continue in use, with additional plinth sections if necessary.

7.2 Cup Formats for 2008

It was generally felt that the 2007 cups programme had worked well, with a good level of participation, and very few operational problems.  The only change suggested for 2008 was that there might be a total-grade cap for the Wylie Cup – a figure of 600 was briefly discussed – the aim being to encourage stronger clubs to enter extra teams.  JM said that he would consult clubs informally about this idea, but LMC would not need to make a decision until its next meeting.

7.3 Entry Fees for Cups

It was agreed in principle that for 2008 entry to all the Summer Cups should be on the basis of a single fee only, i.e. there would be no round-by-round fees.  This would represent a great simplification for clubs and for the Hon. Treasurer, and would also avoid the problems of calculations re ECF members, or if teams withdrew, defaulted boards etc.  JM agreed to draw up an estimate of the total costs of the Cups so that these single entry fees could be calculated.

8. Any Other Business

None

9. Date of Next Meeting

Wednesday 12 March 2008, at a venue to be agreed.