Long Ashton FC

Present were: Paul Maggs, Paul Tilling, Tufty, Dan Cole, James Evans, Keith Hayes, Marc Bartlett, Ian Ogborne and James Cowell.

The meeting was held to agree the selection policy for season 2012/13 for all three teams and to publish these so it was clear to players and management.

Any player who signs on for the club will be expected to sign for all three teams. They must also be willing to play for whichever club they are selected for.

The 1st team will have first choice on all players as it is important that they get the best players available. Then the Reserves followed by the A team.

You cannot pick and choose which team you want to play for. You play for the club not a team. In reality as the season starts all three teams will have a core of players for their team with some movement of players between teams. This doesn't mean a closed shop though and a player who shines in the A team can go up to the Reserves and then on to the 1st team. This can also work the other way though. All three managers will be loyal to players though and a couple of poor performances from players who can play much better doesn't mean you are automatically dropped. Common sense will apply.

The 1st team will have 14 players each week, with 14 for the Reserves and the surplus will be with the A team. Although this is the aim we are not going to have two x 14 and leave the A team with 9 players so common sense will come into play if we are struggling for players. The 1st team would still have priority though.

If a player is substitute for a higher team and drops down he must start. For example, a player who has been sub for three weeks for the 1st team but needs some match practice would automatically start for the Reserve team.

Selection of a player returning from injury will be at the managers discretion depending on how bad the injury was and how many games he miseed. To put a definite rule on this creates more problems so yet again common sense will come into the equation. For example, a player with a slight injury missing one game should not automatically be dropped to the team below but nor should he automatically go back into that team as it depends on other factors.

If you are unavailable to play on a Saturday after being selected, you must inform the manager by Friday night. Failure to turn up, or phone the manager with a lame excuse on Saturday morning will not be accepted. Any player who does this will not be able to play for that team or one higher for two weeks. He may play for a lower team at that managers discretion but this will be looked at by all three managers to confirm this isn't a way of avoiding the punishment. Examples will be made until everyone understands the rules. This was one of the biggest issues last season throughout the club and one the 1st team handled and set the standard for after Christmas. Players may think it unfair but you all know your plans for Saturday afternoon. Yet again common sense will come into this but it needs to be a very good excuse. Have a bit of respect for the Managers and your team mates as you are letting everyone down by not turning up.

If any player is unhappy with team selection please raise this either directly with the manager or through the captain. A manager is there to make the decisions but all players deserve an explanation of why any decision was made. It doesn't mean he will change the decision but we want to avoid players/supporters stirring up trouble without knowing all the facts. With the size of our squad players will be unhappy it is how you react to the decisions which is crucial.

Training: Training starts on June 26th at Redwood Lodge on the field at the back. We will then be training Tuesday and Thursday every week until the season starts and will then keep you updated regarding arrangements. You do not have to attend training but it is expected that all players will make the effort. Players who do attend will have a better chance of playing at the highest level and can show the managers what they can do. Everyone is starting on a level playing field so you need to put yourself in the best position to get selected. A fit team will do much better than one that isn't. It's not rocket science but the teams at the top always keep going to the end and win games in the last ten minutes. This is particularly true at Somerset County standard.

All of the above was agreed by those present at the meeting. The contents of this will be explained to all players who sign on for Long Ashton FC but please make everyone aware, and if anyone has any questions please discuss it with either a Manager or one of the committee members.