Thanks for the availability you have provided to your team secretaries for the first two games of the season. We have only had to stand one person down for the first game of the season - thanks to Terry Miles for doing so.
As always, there are likely to be times during the season when we are oversubscribed - whilst it is disappointed to be stood down, it is indicative of us having a club in decent health, and your team secretaries will always ensure that people take turns to stand down. It is always a selection dilemma, with longer term considerations being taken into account, such as the maintenance of a bigger player pool. We do appreciate your understanding.
Here are some words issued at the start of the previous two seasons, courtesy of former team secretary, captain and local business magnate - Chris Jones:
"Unfortunately there will be players disappointed to miss out on playing and having to stand down when we are over-subscribed. Our selection policy will very much be for players to take it in turns to stand down. Once you have been stood down, you will not be expected to do so until all other (regular) players have done so.
IMPORTANT - please can we ask for all players to bear this in mind when it comes to declaring availability. If you are available for a fixture but happy to stand down that particular weekend and/or have other plans, please tell us well before the side is confirmed on a Tuesday - not after!
We will let you know by Tuesday/Wednesday at the latest if you are needed to give you plenty of time to confirm other plans. If you voluntarily stand down (i.e. you're not just unavailable!) this will count as your turn and makes our lives much easier when it comes to picking the side/rotating the playing squad. But you must tell us this in advance.
If your availability changes, you need to contact us to inform us (not the other way around!) as soon as you can.
We hope that makes sense and that we have you on board with the selection/standing down policy. Please remember we have a difficult (and time consuming) task in being team secretaries, so if you are asked to stand down please do so with grace and understanding."
Thanks