|
|
|
|
|
Statement from Crusaders F.C. Re Letter circulated by Loughside F.C.
With regret, Crusaders FC must issue this statement regarding an inaccurate letter circulated recently by Loughside FC Chairman, Gordon Murray to parents and members of their club. The letter is now in general circulation. The letter misrepresents a meeting held between Crusaders FC and Loughside FC in late 2007. Crusaders FC were represented by Stephen Bell, Mark Langhammer and Tommy Whiteside at a meeting, primarily set up to discuss whether Loughside FC could/would become a formal affiliate club to Crusaders FC. Crusaders FC, in seeking to secure a domestic IFA license to secure entrance to the new Invitational League, needed to add additional development (ie junior) teams to the current U18 and U16 teams.
Loughside FC is a progressive and well organized club with an excellent standing within our community and with well formed and ambitious community enterprise plans of their own. Loughside, therefore, were our first and obvious “port of call”.
The standard and “depth” of engagement required by the IFA between senior teams and affiliate development teams is not as shallow or rudimentary as represented in the Mr. Murray’s letter. The IFA requirements set out in Development Programme requirements (Annex VII), cannot be met by a loose or shallow affiliation. A meeting was held with David McVeigh of the IFA to clarify this matter. Amongst the specific criteria required under the Domestic Licence are: Ø Players are registered by at the IFA through Crusaders FC, (not Loughside FC) together with signatories of all players. All players are required to be registered by both IFA and Northern Ireland Boys FA Ø Evidence of Financial and other Resource support by Crusaders FC is required – and will be inspected accordingly Ø Evidence of Insurance for all players, including development players is required Ø Development coaches operate under a Job Specification submitted by Crusaders FC, with Development coaches registered at the IFA for child protection purposes through Crusaders FC , rather than Loughside FC Ø All development players would operate under the Codes of Conduct, Health & Safety policy, and Child Protection & Player Welfare policy of Crusaders FC Ø All development teams would be covered by Football Curriculum set out by CFC
In short, the independence that Loughside FC currently require to develop their excellent work in the community would be compromised by a significant loss of operational autonomy required by operating under the auspices of the Crusaders FC Development Plan as submitted within the IFA Domestic License application.
That was a conclusion rationally reached by all parties at the meeting. It is a matter of regret to Crusaders FC that it were not otherwise, as we would like nothing better than to “tie in” with Loughside FC who would be a natural community “feeder” club. And we can explore with the IFA a relaxation of the rules to allow for such a relationship in the future. However, faced with a need to make quick decisions, based on the existing guidelines, the conclusions reached were the only conclusions that could have been reached.
There was no animosity during or after the meeting. Both parties agreed to “keep doors open” in the future. We are astonished, therefore, that the statement issued by Gordon Murray (who was not present that evening) on behalf of Loughside FC should suggest otherwise – and in such strident terms.
The other item discussed that evening was the Crusaders FC plans to relocate to a new Stadium and Sports Complex development. Loughside FC indicated strong views about one of the short listed, potential, sites – objections which have since been taken full account of.
It was only after this meeting that – in order to safeguard the interests of Crusaders FC in meeting the IFA Domestic License standard – our representatives met with Mr. Eddie Finn (a former Crusaders FC player) to discuss a relationship with Windsor Youth FC. The affiliation, leading to full integration, of Windsor Youth FC into a new Crusaders Youth set-up, is the subject of a formal, signed Memorandum of Understanding, which Crusaders FC intend to honour and make work.
Loughside FC raised in their letter the relationship formed between Lisburn Distillery and Lower Maze Youth as one which the IFA have accepted, whilst the full autonomy of both parties is retained. This too, is incorrect. On investigation, Crusaders FC find understand that Lower Maze Youth rejected an affiliate relationship with Lisburn Distillery, precisely because it would impinge upon their independence and autonomy.
Should opportunities arise to allow for closer working between Crusaders FC and Loughside FC, we will be pleased to follow these up, and wish our colleagues in Loughside FC every success next season, and in the future.
|
|
