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I want to get everyone's opinions about the refs in this league, i've witnessed some of the worst refs i've ever seen this season alone. So arrogant and busy its a joke does anybody else feel the same about them ????

i know there a lot of awful managers at this level, but there has to be a contender for the worst.....

http://www.nonleaguematters.co.uk/forum/gforum.cgi?do=post_view_flat;post=394588;page=2;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;mh=25;guest=70628172 Would you like to see a similar campaign in the Combined Counties?

Hi all, hope you don't mind me posting here. I'm not sure if anybody here has heard of a player called Christian Bulembi, but he is a striker aged 19 who has previously played for Leyton Orient and Peterborough United. His nationality is DR Congo, and he holds a UK Passport. Christian is looking for a new club and would love to speak with interested clubs. He is East London based and can be contacted on 07428653709. No, I'm not his agent by the way! Just seen an ad from him on Football Finder and thought you guys might be interested in him.

I have heard a rumour that, within the next few years, a few clubs currently playing in the Welsh leagues may try looking towards the English non-league system and dispense with the FAW's jurisdiction. This comes on the back of Rhyl and Connah's Quay making noises about switching to the North West Counties League last summer - the latter after they had been overlooked for promotion to the Welsh Premier League in favour of Afan Lido. The clubs in question are thought to include Bridgend Town and Barry Town, both of whom played in the English non-league system up until 1992. My question is, and please consider that the Western League will soon be 'topped up' with clubs, should Bridgend Town and Barry Town (and indeed other interested applicants from the other side of Offa's Dyke) be allowed to move across to the English non-league system. No doubt their grounds will easily be good enough for Step 3, but should they be made to start in Western 1 if they do decide that their future lies within the English non-league system?

Some interesting views on here, particularly those with regard to the apparent decline of the ESL. Is not the problem the 'win at all costs' psyche mentioned by 'Vegas'. Let's be honest, there is very little chance of any club at this level doing a Wimbledon (and please remember Woodsy, Stevenage's initial successes were heavily funded by alleged questionable individuals and means) The 'pyramid' system put clubs under pressure to either climb to the next rug or stave off relegation. Does promotion from one step to another mean an increasing of revenue through the gates? Probably not, and any slight increase will have been more than swallowed up by players' wages. Is it not time for clubs at this level to re-think a way in which they have a better chance of survival and, at the same time, enjoy their football. Why not change the pyramid to a 'circle' where a group of like-minded clubs form a league where the emphasis is on enjoying a good game of football. The model was successfully tried in the old Isthmian League (pre 1973) and those clubs wanting to progress further (Wimbledon, Maidstone etc) left with good grace and best wishes. The existing system has seen an unprecedented number of clubs go to the wall, some by over stretching themselves financially or selling their ground to pay players. There have been mergers (another ground sold) and instances when sugar daddies have fallen out of love with the idea (or realised the costs) of taking 'Rag-a**e Rovers' to the conference and have pulled out, leaving the club in the mire. All this in vain attempt to climb the football pyramid. Even today there is talk of at least two ESL clubs not playing next season. The FA don't seem to care. If the idea was put forward to start a league outside of the pyramid, those participating would probably be threatened with expulsion from the FA and sanctioned. What the FA does not understand is that their model, whilst possibly suiting those who can afford it at Blue Square level, is slowly killing clubs at ESL level. As said above, the good players and young prospects will go on to better things with more ambitious clubs; this has always been the case. A competitive league managed by the clubs for the clubs. Sensible travelling, (long midweek trips kept to a minimum in the club’s interest) and fair competition could be the saving of many small clubs in East London and Essex or on the east side of the M25. Discuss.......