Minutes of the Committee Meeting Held at Chester R.U.F.C. on Thursday 4Th September, 1997 at 6.30 P.M
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Minutes of the Committee Meeting held at Chester R.U.F.C. on Thursday 4th September, 1997 at 6.30 p.m. Present: C.J.Coventry (in the Chair), lC.B.Pinnington, G.Kennedy, C.Gerrard, E.Taylor, H.Middlebrook, D.AEwing, lM.Young, D.B.Pye, P.lA.scroft, W.Gott, F.R.Povall, E.lF.Taylor, lWyatt, W.E.Buckland, D.lMason, E.ADean, N.Morris, D.P.Wright, AMcLean, P.Blakeman, M.Farr, L.Galey, J.Percival, D.Westem, B. Parkey, RMcLaverty, lGardiner, B.Davies, M.RWilliams, RI.Blake, K.F.Sheldon, G.Marrs, M.Lord, D.I.Adams. Apologies: S.Wilson, M.Cohen, G.Cox, F.;Frice Minutes: The Minutes of the Meeting held on 3rd July, 1997 having been circulated were confirmed and signed. Matters Arising: The RF. U. A G.M. in July was the longest ever and there were some scathing speeches made which made the evening very interesting! We had the best support ever from Cheshire clubs submitting their proxy votes which is pleasing indicating that the majority ofour clubs are interested in decisions being made at the AG.M., decisions which, of course, could affect every club in the country. In reply to my letter Mike Wilson, Chairman of the RFU Competitions Sub-Committee, says that the rate for travel and accommodation expenses for County finalists will be decided at a meeting on August 14th. The number of replacements/substitut es for ail competitive games this season will be a maximum of SIX despite what is written in the Laws Book. Clubs who had 4 or more players sent offlast season were asked to take steps to ensure better discipline in the future. In particular they were asked to post notices in the Home team changing rooms to remind players that officials of clubs with a poor disciplinary record will be asked toattend a meeting with the County Disciplinary Committee who have the power to inflict punishment or take such action as they see fit. The clubs were asked to send copies ofthese notices to the secretary, and Dukinfield, Hoylake, Chester and Sandbach have done so but not Ashton-on-Mersey and Old Anselmians. Frank Povall reported that he has drafted a letter in reply to a letter from the Honorary Treasurer of SPIRE pointing out the changes in the Charities Act, and the secretary was asked to send this letter to Mr. Christie. John Gardinèr (Sale) explained that neither he nor the club President was aware that the Chief Executive had written to Cheshire for permission to change their name to Manchester Sale. The club should have canvassed a view from Manchester before doing so and ensured that the proposal had the full support of the Sale Executive and the Manchester Rugby club Executive. Sale and Manchester are the 4th and 5th oldest clubs in the world and are keen to maintain a long history ofbeing good friends and neighbours. Walter Gott reported that arrangements are going ahead for the VIP lunch in the excellent Sale sponsors' lounge prior to the Cheshire v Lancashire game on Sunday 7th December 2 KO. 2.30 p.m. A letter giving more information regarding arrangements is enclosed. Please give it your support in order to make it a successful venture. Secretary's Report: Bill Beckett, Lancashire Treasurer, died suddenly in July. Harry Middlebrook represented Cheshire at the funeraI, and a letter of sympathy has been sent to Mrs. Beckett on behalf of the Cheshire Committee. The RFU have guaranteed a specific amount of·funding for Constituent Bodies based upon a mixture of direct cash grant payment from the RFU together with the provision of (e certain services free of charge within a total budget of n,300,000. The 'services' include a contribution towards the cost of referees, long distance travel aIlowance, players insurance premium to be paid centrally by the RFU and provision of Information Technology equipment. R.F.U. Representative's Report: In his absence George Cox submitted a written report:- The members of the Council were called to a meeting the week following the AGM, when it was announced that Colin Herridge has resigned from the Council. CliffBrittle stated that he was unable to work as he has done in the past eighteen months and put forward the following formula:- Sir Tim Bell will not be employed after 1st August, 1997. M.Humphries & Partners' contract will be terminated after 30th September 1997. Richard Prescott - Director of Communications - will take over these duties. There is a need for more experience on the Management Board and F.Cotton and M.Stear should be co-opted. G.Cattermole should become Chaimian of Finance to replace C.Herridge and G.Smith should sit on the board of ERP. AlI these matters were debated, voted upon and carried. Cliff Brittle aIso stated that he has no problem working with the top clubs. He feels that there must be nationwide consultation and that the game must be.reunited. The President then took over and the following points were discussed: 1. The question of the Chief Executive would be discussed at a future meeting in the presence of Tony Hallett. This was later pre-empted by the resignation of Tony Hallett. The judge is hoping to complete his inquiry report by the end of August. 2. The possibility of the AGM being held in Birmingham would be discussed. The question of the England Coach and management team would be discussed by the Playing Committee now under the Chairmanship ofW.Beaumont. The question of the Emergency Committee would be revisited. There is a mood of optimism for the future!! Rugby Report: Cheshire will play a warm-up/practice game against Yorkshire at Huddersfield RFC on Wednesday 19th November, 1997, KO. 7.30 p.m. Nominations to Roger Blake (01829-733787) as soon as possible please. In the Championship Cheshire play Leicestershire at Syston RFC on 29th November, Lancashire at SaIe FC on Sunday 7th December, and North Midlands at Worcester RFC on 13th December. The pro cess of selecting a squad for this season's games has started. 3 Thwaites Northeril Club Championship Report: Ted Chapellhow (North Division Secretary) has obtained a sponsorship of ;000,000 from Thwaites brewery, hence the change of name from Courage. Apparently this money has been swallowed up by the RFU and the North Division clubs are not likely to benefit from the sponsorship as was fint envisaged. Clubs are urged to write to the RFU Finance Committee Chairman to try and persuade him that the mnoey should be allocated to the North Division league clubs only. A letter will be going from Cheshire RFU Other Divisions have been unable to produce similar sponsorship. The North Division Clubs Competition Sub-Committee has decided to issue a strong recommendation that only a maximum of 4 substitutes/replacements should be in attendance. If any club still insists on using 6 then they should infotm the opposition 7 days in advance. The league fixtures postponed from Saturday September 6th (because ofPrincess Diane's funeral) must be played on the first available date. B.Parkey (Winnington Park) reported that his club have been advised by the RFU that they may use the County Championship dates if necessary. This will, of course, upset selection for the County and the secretary was asked to write a letter of protest. N.B. Since the meeting 1 have spoken to officers of the NCA who say that 4th October, lst November, 28th February are other dates which could be available for replaying postponed games. Clubs who have players selected for the County squad are respectfully asked to avoid rearranging games on County Championshp dates. Clubs are reminded that if players are paid any money, other than recommended expenses, then they must be placed under contract and the contract approved by the RFU Failure to do this could result in disqualification from the league. There was a suggestion that the Inland Revenue may increase investigation into club funds now that the game has gone professional. Be warned!! Teams travelling to play league games in the Isle of Man should send an invoice to Lee Hetherington (North League Treasurer). The club will be reimbursed for the cost of travelling by coach on the mainland, plus the travel cost across to the Island for 21 players i.e they will be reimbursed the total cost less .f250. Mike Lord is now the co-ordinator for the North West. U nder 21 Report: Two warm up games have been arranged, one against Scottish Exiles U21 at Wilmslow on October 5th and one against Crewe & Alsager College at the College on a Sunday towards the end of October. The County Championship games are against Yorkshire at Morley RFC on 23rd November, against Cumbria at Chester on December 7th and against Northumberland (Away) on 14th December. Every club in Cheshire was asked by letter to nominate players for the U21 squad and the response was poor. It is not too late for nominations, and ifyou have anyone at your club good enough to play for Cheshire U.21's please ring John Holland on 01625- 531650 or Frank Priee on 0151-625-6159. Competitions Report:- AlI 16 clubs qualified to enter the Cup Competition have entered. The Plate Competition has attracted 18 entries, and the Preliminary Round will be drawn after this meeting. This round to be played between 22nd November and 13th December. 4 Any Other Business: P.Blakeman (Altrincham Kersal) reported that Lancashire clubs have been asked for photographs and d.o.b. details for all their junior players.