Chairman
David Jamieson
Chief Executive
Laurence Jones
LRCFA Ltd
Holmes Park
Dog & Gun Lane, Whetstone
Leicester, LE8 6FA
Telephone
+44 (0)116 2867828
Fax
+44 (0)116 2864858
Email
[email protected]
Visit
www.LeicestershireFA.com
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.
Leicestershire & Rutland County Football Association Ltd
Registered Office Holmes Park, Dog & Gun Lane, Whetstone, Leicester LE8 6FA Registration No. 3733868
Chairman
David Jamieson
Chief Executive
Laurence Jones
LRCFA Ltd
Holmes Park
Dog & Gun Lane, Whetstone
Leicester, LE8 6FA
Telephone
+44 (0)116 2867828
Fax
+44 (0)116 2864858
Email
[email protected]
Visit
www.LeicestershireFA.com
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