Silence from Gloucestershire County League following chaotic AGM

Another summer full of drama involving the Gloucestershire County League and the promotional play-offs – with the fall out still continuing.

The context going into the AGM at the start of June is that Longlevens Reserves are subject to an appeal from Wessex Wanderers relating to an ineligible player in Levens’ 2-0 win back in May.

Following the appeal, which the County League upheld in favour of Wessex Wanderers, an appeal of the decision has been escalated through to the FA – with this appeal not going to be heard until next week.

So, with that hanging over the plans for the 2026/27 season, both Longlevens Reserves and Wessex Wanderers were invited to the AGM, which isn’t out of the ordinary really.

Severn Sport were sent audio recordings of the meeting, which the individual who recorded said they did as they could tell something was about to happen and they felt the league would cover it up.

In these recordings, which have been verified by a number of individuals who attended the meeting who have also spoke to Severn Sport to voice their concerns.

To summarise, the recordings include an attendee being subject to foul language from a member of the committee – which has seen apologies from both the individual and the league as a whole, they include the Chairman of the league stating that the league is invitational and failing to acknowledge the problems the “promotional play-offs” cause further down the pyramid and being reluctant to change the number of vacancies within the league.

When questioned how the league could vote in a constitution where one of the clubs appeared as “Longlevens Reserves or Wessex Wanderers” without the requirement for an SGM following the appeal decision, the Chairman replied “well we won’t be doing that.”

The individuals that have approached Severn Sport with their concerns have given context to the audio of the vote, and have advised that more teams abstained from voting than actually voted – so how could the motion be passed when the majority failed to rule?

They have described the incidents as “disgraceful,” “unconstitutional” and “a complete farce” – with a couple of individuals admitting that they abstained from voting as it wasn’t clear what they were actually voting for.

Overall the recordings are quite damning and from an outsider who has listened to the clips, it is pretty embarrassing all around.

Due to the nature of the recordings and the statements from the attendees who spoke to us, Severn Sport approached both the County League and Gloucestershire FA for further comment.

We asked both entities about the AGM and the comments that can be heard, especially those that would concern any clubs aspiring to get into the County League as it suggests that even if they win their respective league and play-off, the County League may decide to stop the promotion.

The questions that were sent asked for comments to reassure everyone within Gloucestershire football that our most premier Gloucestershire League is being run competently and in good faith for not only their member clubs, but clubs aspiring to climb the pyramid.

Now that may come across as harsh to ask if the league is being run competently, but this post-season play-off continues to be a stain on local football and defies common sense. To only open up two promotion vacancies when you have as many as four feeder leagues is baffling.

In the five seasons the play-offs have taken place, there have now been three occasions were issues around player eligibility have clouded the games and the other two saw all three sides promoted anyway as sides withdrew from the league.

We also questioned why the play-offs continue to take place, why the County League didn’t obtain squads for validation and eligibility checks this season when this has been common practice in previous years and whether that is because of the issue the league caused last season when incorrectly granting Bishops Cleeve Development eligibility on a player?

This season also saw the County League overruled at appeal by the GFA after they granted a club to sign on NINE players as an exception for a cup tie – again, with that also taking place recently, we have asked for reassurance of the competency of the league.

Unfortunately, despite a number of messages over the last two and half weeks, the Gloucestershire County League Secretary and Chairman have neither replied or acknowledged Severn Sport’s email and have not distributed any minutes from the AGM.

We did however receive a response from David Neale at the GFA, which reads:

We are aware of alleged events during the Gloucestershire County League (GCL) AGM and
understand that a number of individuals and clubs have sought clarification on matters arising
from the meeting. We also understand that a formal protest has subsequently been submitted
to the GCL by Longlevens AFC, which is a matter for the league to consider in accordance with
its rules and procedures.

As the matters raised relate primarily to the governance and conduct of a Gloucestershire
County League meeting, it would not be appropriate for Gloucestershire FA (Glos FA) to
comment on specific allegations or individual accounts of events. However, we expect all
affiliated leagues and participants to conduct their business in a respectful, transparent and
inclusive manner, and we recognise the importance of clubs having confidence in the
processes that underpin grassroots football.

What is often overlooked is the fact that grassroots leagues are managed and led by dedicated
volunteers elected annually by their member clubs. Every club has the opportunity to nominate
a different person for any league role in advance of the AGM, but as in most sports and
volunteer organisations finding volunteers prepared to give hours of their time is increasingly
hard to do.

The ‘NLS Promotion Pathway Competition’ is a sanctioned competition established and
managed by the five leagues involved. Namely, the GCL, Gloucestershire Northern Senior
League, Bristol Premier Combination, Bristol & Suburban League, and the Hellenic League.
As County FA we facilitate liaison meetings attended by the respective League

Secretaries/Chairs who agree the competition’s structure, format and rules. As part of our
support for the Competition, we provide playing facilities and match officials at no cost to the
competing teams or their spectators.

The principle of a league champion team being promoted is entirely reasonable, however the
fact remains there are currently four feeder leagues/divisions and the GCL as
Gloucestershire’s NLS Feeder League currently offers two promotion places. The play-off
matches agreed by leagues’ enables promotion to be decided on the field of play rather than
by election. The only conditions are that a league champion team must have applied to enter
the GCL before the GCL’s deadline and their facilities meet FA NLS Feeder League
requirements.

Glos FA cannot enforce change, but what we have done over the past year is attend liaison
meetings with leagues in both the north and south of the County. We’re keen to build trust and
promote closer working relationships between the leagues with the aim of enhancing the Local
Football Pyramid for the whole County. This includes discussing potential changes to improve
promotion/relegation links between leagues and open and inclusive league management.

The GCL is playing its part in looking forward by including a Club survey/consultation plan as
one element of the annual NLS Feeder League Development Plan it submits to the FA. It’s
worth noting that County FAs and The FA work in partnership and The FA has advised us it is
not looking to create additional NLS Feeder Leagues at this time. Whilst any League can apply
to the FA to become a NLS Feeder League, it would also need County FA support.

League Liaison meetings can also present challenges as for example, one league indicated
they wished to prevent teams using the new Football Foundation/FA funded 3G pitch at
Archway School (Stroud) from progressing to their competition. The FA was not supportive
and advised the league that any change to league rules required the approval of their County
FA. Needless to say, Glos FA confirmed the suggested rule, or regulation would not be
approved as our focus is on enabling greater participation rather than creating barriers within
a grassroots football pathway.

Glos FA remain focused on supporting leagues, clubs and volunteers across Gloucestershire
to provide safe, inclusive and well-governed football environments. We recognise the passion
that exists throughout grassroots football and understand that clubs want confidence in the
systems that govern the game. We will continue to work with leagues, clubs and football
volunteers to strengthen consultation, improve communication and support sustainable
progression opportunities throughout the local football pyramid

There are still many questions following the incident and the GFA’s statement with the main one being, why do the County League have less number of vacancies than feeder leagues each season?

Even in the seasons where the Hellenic Two winner is not from Gloucestershire, there are still going to be three sides vying for two spots and common sense should prevail here, but yet again we find ourselves talking about something that is becoming ever so draining.

Severn Sport understands that Longlevens’ appeal is to be heard next week and they have been included in the Gloucestershire Northern Senior League constitution for the new season – which could also change pending the final decision.