Glancing at the dictionary entry for the word ‘Govern’ reveals the definition: “rule, direct or control”. While these all apply in varying degrees to the Governance Team at the County Office, the department encompasses many additional facets throughout the course of both a calendar year and a traditional football season.
Mention the Essex County Football Association to traditional football folk and images will spring-up of hard and fast rules, possibly a courtroom, and endless volumes of paperwork and fines. However, the friendly and helpful team in Springfield, Chelmsford, are on hand between 9:00am and 5:00pm, Monday to Friday, to assist with any grassroots football query and supply a supportive helping hand for the County’s volunteers.
Aside from the roles the team have in processing the admin linked to misconduct on the football pitch and the fines, charges and hearings which might follow, the maintenance of the Laws of the Game and the rules and regulations which make the sport and enjoyable pastime are also at the forefront of the department’s activities. With around 1,600 clubs affiliated yearly from the Office, roughly 4,700 teams, this is a comprehensive task.
Essex’s 17 County Cup Competitions are organised every campaign, building to an exciting end-of-season finals crescendo, while Representative Teams are also compiled to face other counties at Under 18s, 16s and Women’s levels. Certain aspects relating to the County’s 1,800-strong referee list and schools football come under the auspices of Governance as well, in addition to welfare case management and safeguarding children.
GOVERNANCE TEAM
Governance Manager
Greg Hart (01245) 393078
Senior Clerk
Fran Smith (01245) 393083
Discipline and Affiliations
Anna Eborall (01245) 393080
Gary Mellish (01245) 393096
Discipline, Cups & Competitions and Affiliations
Robert Craven (01245) 393082
Cups & Competitions and Affiliations
Mark Wallis (01245) 393084
Referees
Terry Thacker (01245) 393086 (part-time)
James Lisher (01245) 393097
Referees and Welfare
Glenn Moss (01245) 393093
County Welfare Officer
Helen Hever (01245) 393098
Press & Publicity
Chris Evans (01245) 393085