Following an extensive two way mail exchange between the clubs and Fixtures Committee the latest draft of the constitution is attached here: - afc_constitution_2019-20_proposed_agm_v3.xlsx         .

All clubs that requested changes and/or made comment on the first draft have received individual replies stating why their request could or couldn't be accommodated. Representations from the Club Representative Committee have also been listened too and an alternative draft constitution consisting of 10 team divisions has been drawn up as well (see doc above).

Since the end of the 2018/19 season we have lost the following  9 clubs/teams
University of Hertfordshire
Altis
London Lawyers
Old Uffingtonians
Mickleham OB 1st XI
Albanian 4th & 6th XI
Old Challoners Res
Old Meadonians 6th XI

Whilst receiving applications for additional 5 teams from:-
Old Minchendenians 5th XI
Hale End 3rd XI
Dorkinians 7th XI
Old Parmiterians 9th XI
Southgate Olympic 4th XI

The final draft will be voted at the 2019 AGM on Thursday 27th June .

Norman MacDonald (on behalf of)
Fixtures Committee Chairman

The final marks for SoF, Organisation, Facilities & Hospitality are now available to view -       Monthly Awards
Two clubs dominate all four categories , Old Crosbeians who won both the SoF (8.80) & Organisation (8.91) and Old Paulines winning both Facilities (9.07) & Hospitality (8.91). Those two clubs deserve enormous credit in receiving such high marks throughout the season. Paulines success saw them host three cup finals as well - indeed a huge credit to this league. Congratulations also to Dorkinians and Old St Marys who also won SoF awards , presented at the dinner, as winners of the 3-5 team club & 6+ team club awards.

The average SoF mark this season was the highest for many seasons at exactly 8.00 so all clubs can be pleased that a sustained effort to improve has been made. Worcester College OB deserve much credit as do Clissold Park Rangers, who both finished in top three and were only just pipped to the top spot by a minute margin. Disappointingly Spaniards have had a tough season and failed to improve on a terrible set of low marks pre Xmas, finishing bottom on 6.95, well behind next bottom club Ravencroft OB (7.26).

All clubs were above 7.50 for Organisation, whilst five clubs had marks less than 7 but the AFC appreciate that what is provided is what is available hoping they will make the best out of what is provided. Blackheath Wanderers who have decent facilities are continually let down by their organisation & hospitality marks which suggests match days could be organised better than they are.

London Lawyers ended up bottom of the hospitality table and the lack of effort was mirrored on the pitch and they have now folded as a club.

So overall are very pleasing set of marks which raises the standard in the League and hopefully makes the AFC a more enjoyable league to play in and enjoy the post match hospitality.

Ian Andrews
AFC  Secretary

http://www.amateur-fa.com/news/2019/apr/10/life-vice-president-pat-morrissey-passes-away

http://www.amateur-fa.com/news/2019/apr/15/patrick-morrissey-funeral-details

It is with much sadness that I have to advise that Pat Morrissey, best known as an AFA referee for 48 years has unfortunately died yesterday, after a long fight with leukaemia. Pat has been a referee with the AFA and its three major leagues and is well known for his views on our level of football and far beyond. His regular input into Referee and AFA monthly publications has been a thing that has always stirred much debate and Pat will be sadly missed by all his friends and colleagues in AFA football. The thoughts of all within the AFC go to Pat's family at this very sad time.

A minutes silence will be held at this evenings Rep game and all AFC games on Saturday.

Ian Andrews
AFC Secretary

STOP PRESS:  AFC 4 (Edis 2 , Hawkins 2)  vs Arthurian League 0

The next fixture in the Argonaut Trophy will be played on Wednesday 10th April 2019  KO 7.45pm
Venue: Bedfont Town FC ,Bedfont Sports Recreation Ground,Hatton Road,Feltham TW14 9QT(10 minute walk from Hatton Cross station, Piccadilly line).  Surface: 3G

Opponents (Arthurian League): Shirts: White, Socks: White, Shorts: White

Referee : John Spoerry    AR's  Rob Poole & Malcolm Edwards

Squad :
Henry Warne (Dorkinians)
Charlie Woodman (Dorkinians)
Murray Gibb (Wandsworth Borough)
Chris North (Old Wokingians)
Jack Byerley (Old Hamptonians)
Cameron McGovern (Old Hamptonians)
George Proctor (Old Suttonians)
James Parker (Altis FC)
Ross Fleming (Old Wokingians)
Alex Roberts (HAC)
Tommy Lees Collier (HAC)
Joshua Higgins (Old Meadonians)
Liam Hawkins (Dorkinians)
Sam Edis (Old Wokinigians)

.It is with regret that after 45 years existence Old Uffingtonians have folded as a club with immediate effect. They have two games outstanding in Senior Three North and both games have been awarded to their opponents as per Rule 12b. As per Rule 10f goals cannot be awarded in thees circumstances just the points. Old Uffingtonians have struggled all season as a club, with availability of players regularly  key issue and have remained without a victory all season.
Thanks must go to Bob & Zak for their weekly efforts in supporting the club administratively , which at times has also been a challenge. We as a League wish them well for the future.

Ian Andrews
Secretary

An excellent 3-2 win for the Rep team after coming back from an early two goal deficit with goals from Cameron McGovern, Ryan Bright & Tom Coulter. Full match report in due course

The next fixture in the Argonaut Trophy will be played on Wednesday 20th March 2019  KO 7.45pm
Venue: Potters Bar Town FC , The Walk,  Potters Bar,  HERTS.  EN6 1QN

Opponents:   Herts Senior County League:
Shirts:  Yellow and Blue 
Socks: Blue 
Shorts: Blue

Referee : Mark Jacob    AR's  Robert Ryan & Owen Webster

Final squad :
Henry Warne (Dorkinians)
Cameron McGovern (Old Hamptonians)
Billy Harris (HAC)
Tommy Timmins (Old Meadonians) - Sub
Murray Gibb (Wandsworth Borough)
Chris North (Old Wokingians)
Charlie Woodman (Dorkinians)
Alex Roberts (HAC)
James Parker (Altis FC)
Ryan Bright (Old Meadonians)
Jack Costello (Old Meadonians) - Sub
Joshua Higgins (Old Meadonians)
Tom Coulter (HAC)
Xav Mackney (Old Meadonians) - Sub

Pride of place goes to Old Meadonians who once again have reached the final of the AFA Senior Cup where they will play Old Carthusians on Saturday 13th April @ Bank of England in the AFA Centenary Senior Cup Final. It would be great if we could have a huge crowd to support them on the day.

Also many congratulations to the following AFC clubs who have also made it to AFA finals in what has so far been one of the best years for finalists for many seasons. The AFC have only failed to be represented in three of the 12 finals. Full list of AFC clubs with venues & dates are:-

Date                         Competition                Venue                                                                   Teams
16/03/2019 Senior Novets Cup               O.Parmiterians                      Shene O.G's 4's v. Polytechnic V [SAL]
23/03/2019 Minor Cup                              West Wickham                       Alleyn OB 4's [SAL] v. Albanian 4's
23/03/2019 Intermediate Novets Cup  O.Wokingians                        Polytechnic 6's  [SAL] v. O.Meadonians 6's
30/03/2019 Kent/Surrey Senior Cup    O.Bromleians                          Wokingians v. Nottsborough [SAL]
30/03/2019 Kent/Surrey Inter Cup        O.Pauline                                 Bank of England Res v HAC Res
30/03/2019 Middx/Essex Inter Cup       O.Finchleians                          Mill Hill Village V Winchmore Hill Res [SAL]
06/04/2019 Challenge Cup                      Hale End Athletic                  New Magdalenians v  Old Cholmleians [ART]
06/04/2019 Intermediate Cup                 Polytechnic                            UCL Res v Nottsbrough Res [SAL]
13/04/2019 Senior Cup                               Bank of England                   Old Meadonians vs Old Carthusians [SAL]

Ian Andrews
AFC Secretary

For All Members of AFC (Clubs & Executive)
 
Southgate Olympic 1st XI                                                              6th March 2019
 
Dear Secretary
 
I write to advise all members of the AFC that Southgate Olympic 1st XI have submitted a request for the team to be withdrawn from the Premier Division and that decision has been agreed by the Fixtures Committee. This was a very difficult decision to take as once again, following on from a similar request from UCL earlier in the season, it brings into question the whole integrity of The Premier Division. The Fixtures Committee were extremely disappointed with Southgate Olympic who had been given every support, by the Fixtures Committee, since they originally indicated issues with playing numbers on 9th January 2019.
 
The decision we have reached is, we believe, pragmatic, but very far from ideal and ends up with us losing a team from our Premier Division which is unprecedented,  which we believe reflects poorly on our competition. However the facts remain that Southgate had fewer than 9 regular 1st xi players left available , although all 9 not every week, their next lowest team was 8 divisions below in 3 North (having lost their 2nd xi in the first week of the season).
 
The Fixtures Committee gave Southgate Olympic three free weeks in January 2019, to enable them to secure additional players from a local college, which ultimately did not materialise, but more of a concern was Southgate's lack of any sort of update to the Fixtures Committee on this matter, which ultimately caused their official withdrawal request at 6.45pm on Friday 1st March.
 
The Fixtures Committee have written to Southgate Olympic advising of their extreme disappointment in the way the club have handled this situation and the very difficult position it has placed on AFC Officers to resolve it . The results obtained by Southgate Olympic will be expunged , as per league rule 12b. All 1st xi players have been de-registered from playing in any of the remaining three lower Southgate teams for the remainder of this season.
 
 
 
Ian Andrews
AFC Secretary                        
 

Peter O'Grady reached a milestone that will never be beaten - his 1000th appearance for Old Ignatians

see the tribute posted on TalkSport Website.

https://talksport.com/football/497102/meet-peter-ogrady-the-ultimate-amateur-footballer-1000th-game/

Ian Andrews
League Sec