Arising from the vote at last week's Annual General Meeting which resulted in the administrative rule banning the payment of players to stay in place, Southern Premier League chairman Steve Vear has written to all clubs as follows:
"As I explained prior to the end of the AGM, these decisions are rightly yours to make as member clubs, and as explained in detail in my previous letter, this is not an easy area to navigate or manage.
"That said, the Management Committee of the SPCL must now look at the consequences of this decision and the indictive request to effectively ‘double down’ on this rule.
"To confirm the comments, I made on behalf of the Committee last Wednesday evening:
1. Any complaints or conversations regarding the payment of players by given clubs will immediately be stopped and considered closed unless there is evidence presented either immediately or soon after the allegation is made.
Member clubs are reminded that any initial discussions regarding payment of players that took place between the papers being released and the AGM vote could be considered to be a breach of these rules, which was still in effect.
2. Should a member club be found guilty of paying players, an EGM will be called where there
will be a motion laid to terminate the membership of the club in question, rendering all
remaining fixtures void for that club for the rest of the season and beyond.
3. In the case of the player, it is likely (subject to further decisions) that the player will be
banned for a minimum of one season.
Foreign nationals
4. Payment of players could include any extraordinary travel expenses or coaching fees and certainly a reduction in match fees or subscriptions if this differs to what is being charged throughout your club.
5. We are aware, of course, of the varying levels of agreements and contracts that exist between clubs and foreign national players. Clubs should bear in mind, however, that the ability to pay players to play applies to all members of the club, including foreign national players. Paying them to coach or play an otherwise active part of your club however would continue to be considered in line with our rules.
6. The league would strongly advise clubs to consider creating or revise the club match fee and subscription policies so not to fall foul of point 4 above, given that as we heard some clubs wish to offer a concession scheme for those facing hardship.
7. The Management Committee will now seek to form an official sub-committee of the league to discuss this matter further and to further develop a set of policies and expectations to sit along the administrative rule.
I am grateful to Steve Hatcher (South Wilts) and Chris Tona (Fawley) who have volunteered as the first two members of this sub-committee.
It is my intention to chair the subcommittee myself and to require membership of at LEAST one club from each division before considering it constituted. Should you wish to volunteer to join this subcommittee, then please get into contact with either myself or our General Secretary, Adam Smith
The exact terms of reference for this sub-committee will be built during the first meeting of the new group
Thank you for your attention in this important matter and for your support in allowing us to carrying out your wishes to continue to find a way to apply this administrative rule.
Steve Vear MBE
"As I explained prior to the end of the AGM, these decisions are rightly yours to make as member clubs, and as explained in detail in my previous letter, this is not an easy area to navigate or manage.
"That said, the Management Committee of the SPCL must now look at the consequences of this decision and the indictive request to effectively ‘double down’ on this rule.
"To confirm the comments, I made on behalf of the Committee last Wednesday evening:
1. Any complaints or conversations regarding the payment of players by given clubs will immediately be stopped and considered closed unless there is evidence presented either immediately or soon after the allegation is made.
Member clubs are reminded that any initial discussions regarding payment of players that took place between the papers being released and the AGM vote could be considered to be a breach of these rules, which was still in effect.
2. Should a member club be found guilty of paying players, an EGM will be called where there
will be a motion laid to terminate the membership of the club in question, rendering all
remaining fixtures void for that club for the rest of the season and beyond.
3. In the case of the player, it is likely (subject to further decisions) that the player will be
banned for a minimum of one season.
Foreign nationals
4. Payment of players could include any extraordinary travel expenses or coaching fees and certainly a reduction in match fees or subscriptions if this differs to what is being charged throughout your club.
5. We are aware, of course, of the varying levels of agreements and contracts that exist between clubs and foreign national players. Clubs should bear in mind, however, that the ability to pay players to play applies to all members of the club, including foreign national players. Paying them to coach or play an otherwise active part of your club however would continue to be considered in line with our rules.
6. The league would strongly advise clubs to consider creating or revise the club match fee and subscription policies so not to fall foul of point 4 above, given that as we heard some clubs wish to offer a concession scheme for those facing hardship.
7. The Management Committee will now seek to form an official sub-committee of the league to discuss this matter further and to further develop a set of policies and expectations to sit along the administrative rule.
I am grateful to Steve Hatcher (South Wilts) and Chris Tona (Fawley) who have volunteered as the first two members of this sub-committee.
It is my intention to chair the subcommittee myself and to require membership of at LEAST one club from each division before considering it constituted. Should you wish to volunteer to join this subcommittee, then please get into contact with either myself or our General Secretary, Adam Smith
The exact terms of reference for this sub-committee will be built during the first meeting of the new group
Thank you for your attention in this important matter and for your support in allowing us to carrying out your wishes to continue to find a way to apply this administrative rule.
Steve Vear MBE