League Update

Firstly on behalf of the League Management Committee can I take this opportunity to wish all players, club officials, volunteers, referees and assistants all the very best for Christmas and the New Year.

The first half of the season has been extremely challenging in terms of the weather and it has been the wettest period that I can recall with the number of postponements. This causes a lot of challenges for the Fixtues Secretary and for yourselves in organising matches and players not knowing if they are playing from one week to the next. Fingers crossed things will improve in the New Year. On that note we will be enforcing the rules regarding clubs requesting a life in order to ensure that matches are played and we do not fall further behind with the Fixtures.

During January we enter the main period of the League's Cup Competitions with the 3rd round of the Guildhall Cup and the 1st round of the Lancastrian Brigade Cup. I have set out below the key requirements regarding player eligibility for the Cup Competitions :

SECTION 24 (E)

In any Season, no player shall play for more than one competing club in the same or any other cup or Shield Competition of the League. Premier and Division 1 Clubs entering reserve sides may use these players in the Guildhall Cup Competition but having played in the Competition they shall not be eligible for the Lancastrian Brigade Cup.

SECTION 24 (J)

Any competing team shall consist of bona-fide playing members of their club. Each player must have been a registered player of the Club for at least 14 days immediately prior to any cup match in rounds prior to the Semi Finals and have actually played in at least four League /Cup games for the team prior to playing in the semi final or final (for this purpose a named substitute is not included unless he actually comes onto the field of play). The written consent of the League Chairman and Secretary must be obtained for any variance of the Rule.

LANCASHIRE AMATEUR CUP

Congratulations to Southport & Ainsdale Amateurs, Standish St Wilfrids and Sir Tom Finney who have reached the quarter finals of the Lancashire Amateur Cup. These games will be played on the 11 January and we wish all three teams the best in their ties.

If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact a committee member.