ChairmanLRCFA LtdTelephoneEmail
David JamiesonHolmes Park+44 (0)116
Chief Executive Dog & Gun Lane, WhetstoneFaxVisit
Laurence JonesLeicester, LE8 6FA+44 (0)116 2864858
28th October 2009
To Club Secretaries, Youth Leagues, and Referee’s
Dear Colleague
Club Spectators
The Leicestershire & Rutland County FA is fully supportive of the RESPECT PROGRAMME that was launched by the Football Association in August 2008.
All of the Youth Leagues in the County have signed up to become Respect Leagues, and the County FA working closely with the Leagues is determined to ensure that youth football throughout the County is played in a safe, and positive environment, in which young players can develop their playing ability.
Many clubs throughout the County have worked tirelessly to ensure that they have the appropriate structures and volunteers to ensure that their players are able to participate and play the game in the right environment. One of the key developments to support this is the position of Club Welfare Officer.
As recently highlighted in the local media, there is still a significant concern within the football community as to unacceptable parental behaviour, at games involving young people below the age of 18.
I am therefore writing to remind clubs that under FA Regulation E20, it is the club that is responsible for the behaviour of its supporters, and would actively encourage all clubs to remind their parents of what is considered acceptable behaviour, and more importantly what is deemed to be not acceptable.
As a club you may consider using your Club Welfare Officer to work closely with your parents, and the County FA Welfare Officer, Tim Siggs, will offer guidance and support to your Welfare Officer on this important matter if required.
The County FA will be working closely with the Leagues and Clubs throughout the County to tackle this problem, however this is a problem for the entire football family, and everyone involved in the game needs to take a responsible approach to ensuring that unacceptable behaviour is reported in writing to the County Football Association.
I believe that it is important to stress that any club found in breach of FA Regulation E20, failing to control its spectators will be subject to the maximum penalty allowed under the Football Association regulations.
Many clubs through their volunteer workforce have worked hard to ensure that young people can play the game in the right manner, however the issues surrounding parental behaviour which have been around for many years continue to be an ongoing problem in the game. The time has now come for the Clubs, Leagues and the County FA to work together to address this issue so that football can be played in the right environment.
The responsibility belongs to everyone connected with the game, parental and spectator behaviour will only improve if we all take ownership, with a common purpose of creating a positive atmosphere in which young people can play the game.
The Leicestershire & Rutland County FA is here to assist clubs address this problem, and if you require any advice or have any concerns please do not hesitate to contact us.
Yours faithfully
Laurence C Jones
Chief Executive
Leicestershire & Rutland County Football Association Ltd
Registered Office Holmes Park, Dog & Gun Lane, Whetstone, Leicester LE8 6FA Registration No. 3733868