THE EXETER FRIENDLY FOOTBALL LEAGUE

RE: The Friendly League website is set to get a major revamp. Well some of you out there will know me and many of you will have the same passion for youth football as I do. I am flattered by the description of being a "web ace" what I am really is just somebody who enjoys doing their job and where I can I will help out with almost anything. The new website that Steve has mentioned will hopefully be everything he has said and fingers crossed a bit more.  I thought that with what Steve has already done in terms of building up the web site along with the behind the scenes support from the EFL and my input we would get off to a flying start with everybody entering into the spirit of things and supporting the EFL in trying to further the way it is portrayed and giving everybody who is involved in the Exeter Youth Football community a better web site which they can interact with and be proud of. I would like to take this opportunity to say if anybody has any suggestions of things they would like to see on the new web site please email the webmaster who will pass on the details to me. Please bear in mind though that not all suggestions will be included, but rest assured I will be doing my best to ensure the web site is up to date with lots of information and easy to navigate. Yours in Football Russ Murch . (Sec says - I can guarantee that with Russell at the helm the new site will be of huge benefit to us all - a key feature will be the facility to download forms for the new season)

We have received the following message into the League website: “ WELL DONE TO TIVERTON TOWN UNDER 11'S FOR WINNING THE LEAGUE. WELL DONE TO ALL THE PLAYERS AND COACHING STAFF. UP THE TIVVY!!

A matter for the AGM - Another Under 10 side (Exwick) have followed the earlier ‘ask’ from Thorverton that the Under 10’s next season be played on a competitive basis and this matter will be forwarded to the AGM on Monday June 2^nd.

The League intends, in addition to the AGM, to hold 'think tank' sessions where we will look at the formulation of NEXT seasons Under 11, Under 12 and Under 13 Divisional make ups - it's clear that we have the opportunity to find a better 'balance' to the respective age group sections - take the Green and Yellow Divisions at Under 11 - it's clear which teams should be playing each other in one section and equally fairly obvious which sides should be in another section, and the plan is to hold meetings with the Team Managers/Coaches to ensure that we put teams where they are best suited for the 2008/089 campaign.

Another person has steped forward to suggest they would like to get involved in the running of the League and this is wonderful news. There are a number of tasks that need doing - we might perhaps deploy a REGISTRATIONS OFFICER, also  MATCH OFFICIALS APPOINTMENTS OFFICER - all will be discussed at the AGM BUT if, in the meantime, there are like minded people out there who wuld like to get involved please let the Secretary know.

The 2008 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING will be held at The Civil Service Club, Exwick, Exeter, om Monday June 2nd with a 7pm start - many thanks to Judy at Exwick Youth for sorting this one out. ALL TEAMS WISHING TO PLAY IN THE 2008/09 SEASON ARE EXPECTED TO HAVE REPRESENTATION AT THE MEETING.

Alphington beat Sidmouth 9-2 in a Red Division Under 12 game on Thursday Night and the same evening Feniton won their Under 11 Green Division game at Cullompton 3-0.

Many thanks must go to NIGEL DOE at HONITON SPORTS as he has kindly handed over FOUR brand new size 3 and size 4 balls for the Finals Day to use - many thanks Nigel, its much appreciated. 

Phoenix Club won 5-3 at Brixington Blues to wrap up their Under 11 Yellow Division campaign. Amongst the scorers was Callie Clark with her first of the season - well done Callie !

Good news on HELP WITH RUNNING THINGS ! We have had an offer from an individual happy to become the results co-ordinator throughout the age goups for the next season. Obviously this would have to be discussed/decided upon, at the AGM, but there is a person who has stepped forward to act as the Results Officer which will help us speed up the results service and indeed the presentation of accurate League Tables .

The Friendly League website is set to get a major revamp and be EVEN BIGGER and EVEN BETTER than is currently is. We have a website ACE within the City prepared to take on the website and this is a FANTASTIC development as the Secretary says: " I know the person involved and it is my humble opinion that when he takes over the reigns we are in for a very special website. I know only too well the time it takes to deliver what we have now but I also know that this guy taking it on can, and will, take the website to new levels. We will be able to have 2008/09 season form downloads for starters. It's very exciting news in terms of the way we, as a League, portray ourselves."

We have a page dedicated to the Presentation Evening. Understandably some people are asking what goes on on the evening and so we have published approximate times of the age group presentations - see the page - 2008 Players of The Year.

Crediton Saints U11's, who make the move up to 11asude as an Under 12 team next season are on the lookout for new players to join them - anyone interested should contact Clive Eginton on 01769 580830

Here's a positive e-mail regarding the results in situation - "Regarding the debate and the accuracy of the league tables, I think you are in an impossible position if a number of clubs fail to advise of their results on a weekly basis, I agree with the idea that for next season teams should be obliged to notify you of their result by say the close of play on a Sunday , or perhaps a fine could be imposed. If sides want league tables, and I would suggest that at U 11 and upwards the vast majority of sides do , then a timely phone call or email should not be a problem" (Sec says, anybody else got a view - personally I like this one very much)

Brixington United beat visiting Bradninch 4-0 on Tuesday Night and that result, coupled with Kentisbeare's defeat at Crediton Youth means that the Under 11 Title is heading for Brixington whilst Kentisbeare can prepare to be crowned 'runners up' - check out the results and updated tables now.

Pinhoe Panthers have completed their Under 11 Green Division campaign and all results fed into the table - 'Snowy' at the Panthers is always red hot on getting results in, win lose or draw - thanks for that 'snowy' top man !!!!!!

We now have the desired squad details and the Finals Day Programme now looks SUPERB !!!! ( It carries as many of the team photos as have been submitted, each Squad for the twenty competing sides, and a FULL LIST of all the respective EFL Members Clubs selected EFL Player Of The Year recipients. The Finals Day programme has a cover price of £2.00 but is WELL WORTH IT - !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Yellow Division is set for a fabulous finish to a long season with the confirmation of the top of the table following Monday Nights win for Stoke Hill, - check out the match reports page now for details

The following 'message' was received via the League website at 10.30pm on Sunday Night - "At this stage in proceedings the accuracy of the league tables are paramount and clearly they are not. Perhaps someone with a bit more responsibility should take on the ask?????????????? - LOOK ! Whoever is disgruntled might like to take on board that ALL this work is done VOLUNTARILY - keeping tables up to date is not the easiest of action UNLESS someone takes the time to religously check each score post match - the simple fact is no one does that and so we try and deliver a service as near to 'good' as possible. If the individual who posted the above message would like to help then WONDERFUL - please next time let's know who you are and so we can get back to you ! ( emails such as this do tend to leave the recipient wondering why they bother !!!!!)

since posting the above FANTASTIC SUPPORT against the above 'comment' has been received from FOUR quarters - thanks for that - here's one of those offerings -

In reponse to whomever it was that wrote "Perhaps someone with a bit more responsibility should take on the ask?????????????? ". firstly if you are so spineless that you cannot attach your name to your comment, that has pangs of
somebody who has neither the ability or the competency to co-ordinate such a task as keeping on top of tables and results for the youth. secondly I would say with an attitdue of that nature I for one would not want you to assist but moreover, before pointing the finger at one person who is trying very hard to do
a good job in offering their time free of charge to make sure that all the youngsters are kept up to date, perhaps you should....
... a) ask all the team managers to submit the scores of games straight after they are finished or if cancalled/postponed then to inform of that also in a timely fashion...b) respect the fact that somebody is trying to do a difficult job with the
information they have Failing that, if you have nothing objective to say then say nothing or you at least put your contact details in order that whoever you are addressing can reply." - and for those wondering YES INDEED the sender of the above DID add their name (thanks for that by the way - u know who u r !!!)

The Notice board page elsewhere on the Rangers website has all the previous front page postings so for stop press news prior to May 6th.