Conclusion to league season on the agenda
NOW that the Government has laid down its road map grass roots football has been able to plan the conclusion to another very disrupted season caused by Covid-19.
The Lancashire and Cheshire League management committee has been doing plenty of work in looking at various options and decided to void the current league season in their eight divisions mainly due to the differences in fixtures completed by the teams.
The plan now is to run the four league cup competitions, originally in a divisional format, to give all of the teams the chance to play at least five fixtures followed by quarter-finals, semi-finals and cup finals.
The Rhodes Cup, currently held by Salford Victoria, will be competed for by teams in the Premier and division one in four groups of six teams, playing each other once with the top two teams in each division progressing to quarter finals.
The Wray Cup, currently held by Radclyffe FC, will feature teams in divisions two and three in the same format and the Whitehead Cup, held by Chadderton Cott is for teams in divisions A and B.
Finally the Hellawell Shield, held by Irlam Tigers Rangers, will see teams from division’s C and D in competition.
The draw for the teams in each of the 16 divisions will soon be made and fixtures secretary Malc Kershaw will then plan the schedule which will begin on April 10 with quarterfinals planned for May 15.
The league will provide linesmen for the quarter finals and as usual the semi-finals and finals will be on neutral grounds with officials provided by the league.
Malc Kershaw (Pictured) said: “We will look for the group matches to be played on Saturdays, avoiding midweek games where possible and there will be some adjustments where teams share pitches.
“Referees secretary Stephen Howard is confident that he has enough officials to cover the busy programme and hopefully we will not be affected by bad weather and more Covid restrictions as we look to provide an exciting and competitive end to another very difficult and frustrating season.”
The clubs will all be given detailed information of the draw, rules etc for the planned programme as soon as possible giving them the opportunity to play some friendly games in preparation for the cup competitions.
FOLLOWING the recent article on the highly respected Bramhall Golf Club professional Richard Green a string of tributes to his unique style of coaching have flooded in from members and friends.
They are led by the 2019 Bramhall Captain Ian Handy who also showed plenty of originality by arriving on the first tee for his Captain’s Drive-in clad in swimming gear – fortunately he changed into more convential golf wear for the actual drive-in!
Ian said: “Having enjoyed Richard’s company for many years now I can only summarise his approach as one of being endearingly contrary, although I’m sure Richard would argue he is simply demonstrating that he is an expert in the use of reverse psychology.
“As such, I’ll forever recall that during his many laudable years serving on Handicap his response to most members’ suggestions was a cheerily dismissive – ‘if that’s what they want, then they should go and join Moor End.
“In a similar vein, even during my tenureship as Captain, Richard’s motivational technique remained founded on a tirade of such encouraging comments such as you’re a complete idiot, even my dog wouldn’t have missed that putt, have you tried taking up knitting’. It would be great if you could join us back on the golf course if you can find it from where you are’, you cover more miles ball hunting than running a marathon’.
“Richard’s passion for golf constantly shines through, as does his desire to be a genuine professional - with that in mind, when Captain’s away day was held at Sandiway, having had a difficult day on the greens, whilst everyone else was enjoying a beer and the glorious weather, Richard was on the practice green for an extended period of time going through various routines to resolve the issue. True commitment to the cause.
“Richard does have a soft side (very well hidden).
“Having made the latter stages of Winter League, I then severely damaged my left ankle. The options were to forfeit the semifinal and let my partner down or give it a whirl. Seeing me hobbling around the car park Richard called me into his swing room. Within 10 minutes he’d given me enough coaching and instruction in how to play off one leg, that the tie went all the way to the 18th - sadly we didn’t make it through, but under any other circumstances would have lost several holes earlier.
“One other story: Winter League on a Sunday morning, the greens had undergone heavy treatment during the week before and had a covering of wet sand. Richard hits a lovely approach into the fourth Green, walks up to his ball and throws it to his young caddy in order to have the ball nicely cleaned. Caddy dutifully takes great care ensuring every last grain of sand is removed and the ball looks as good as new, he then ROLLS the ball back to Richard.
“The resultant ‘sandball’ is picked up by Richard
with a truly gobsmacked expression on his face as he directs a volley of abuse at the idiot!.
“His other comment to me, made many times, is after my teeing-off he says –‘I don’t think that we own that bit!”
Jean Hindmoor (Golf & Development Chair & Ladies Hon.Secretary)
“When I decided to have a go at golf I had lessons with Richard and whilst he was excellent teacher I was clearly not an excellent pupil and my abiding memory of those lessons is being called a dumbass on many occasions. A number of years later my handicap suggests he was right!”
Ian Hazlewood (Captain 2018)
“Ian your swing has more moving parts than a Swiss watch, I’ll fix that with a few lessons!!” I thought typical Greeny. I then had some lessons with him when I was Captain and he bought my handicap down five shots, and typical Richard he has never let me forget it.
Nigel Hall (Captain 1998 & 2014)
“The first time I met him was when we played 9 holes together on a wet day in 1994.
Obviously we spent a lot of time together when I was Captain in 1998 playing golf, which we both enjoyed (he was still quite good then!), and we managed to win the Winter League. It was similar when I was Captain in 2014, but we didn’t win the Winter League!
I always found him very helpful with advice when I was Handicap Chairman 2008 to 2012, and again 2016 to 2018.
From my perspective I noted the big change in his merchandising and marketing techniques which lead to far greater sales within his shop when he took over in 1995. He became far more involved in the running of the Club from a golf perspective taking on the collection of Competition fees, sitting on Handicap Committee and getting involved with decision on rules and disputes in Competitions.
He certainly made a big difference to the Club with his new ideas and thinking when he came to the Club as Pro.
I remember he had been asking for the better part of 20 years to get on an annual away trip Youngsters v Oldies which consisted of 16 people playing golf, latterly in the north east in May. When a space finally came available recently, and he played in the event, when asked would he play again, he said no, because it was too cold!”
Andrew Murray...fellow PGA professional, former Bramhall assistant pro, European Tour winner, broadcaster and top coach
‘’I’ve known Greeny for most of my professional life and his, from playing pro am’s in the region to more latterly in his life at BGC. A club very close to my heart as most know, I was so chuffed when he invited me to the opening of The Green Empire, when he started here and strived to replace the irreplaceable Brian Nield.
“He’s done a brilliant job in doing that too and the club is in brilliant hands moving into the next era with Scott too! I’ve not too many funny stories to tell about Richard in truth, but maybe that’s cos I’m not funny and he is or visa versa! I was delighted to assist him open the studio and subsequently other club ‘grand affairs’.
“We’ll miss you Greeny although only a tad!”
Peter Oldham -possibly Bramhall’s oldest member and former scratch player
I was on Council when Brian Nield retired and together with Geoff Lee and Trevor Turnbull we were given the task of assessing Richards C.V. etc. My part was Golf, Trevor was Business and Geoff organisation.
Richard’s C.V. was impressive from his past experience and we realised he could help in the progression of the club taking responsibility for visiting parties etc. I was Captain shortly after Richard joined us and he was very helpful to me.
In my view Richard could have been more helpful than the Club allowed but he provided excellent teaching and a better shop than most local Pros.
Richard was certainly able to compete in open events and was well thought of.
An enthusiast for the Captain v /Pro Sunday morning golf- challenge, he and I had some really good games which I found most enjoyable. Richard was a keen supporter of our Dunham Cup team and beat most of the opposing clubs pros, he had an exceptional short game and an ability to play his way around a golf course.