Clubs and their teams in the Cumberland FA continue to make good progress in terms of discipline – but are being asked to stay focused on making more improvement.
The County FA has done a review of discipline data from the 2022-23 season, including comparisons with previous seasons as well as a review of the frequency of poor behaviour against the number of games played across the county.
It suggests that 94 per cent of all games in Cumberland last season were played in a positive environment.
Specific figures relating to the 2022-23, compared to the previous season – 2021-22 – have been released.
They showed:
- C2 and C2 sin bins (Dissent) were down by 44 cases from 21-22 (-16 per cent)
- Dismissals (red cards) were down by 26 cases from 21-22 (-11 per cent)
- Misconduct charges (poor behaviour outside of red/yellow card, including off the field behaviour) were down by 25 cases (-26 per cent)
- Failure to ensure that players, officials, spectators and/or supporters conduct themselves in an orderly fashion (general behaviour) was down 24 per cent
- Improper conduct against match officials (including abusive language/behaviour; threatening behaviour/language) was down by 48 per cent
- There were no charges of actual or attempted physical contact or assault against a match official in 22-23.
In the county there were nearly 7,000 games played last season so that disciplinary data reveals:
- There was a sending off (dismissal) in less than three per cent of games played
- 99 per cent of games were played without serious incident or misconduct
- 95 per cent of matches occurred without any poor behaviour directed towards match officials (Dissent, S6 – offensive, insulting abusive language and misconduct towards officials)
In total, this would suggest that six per cent of all games played had an incident or display of poor behaviour (from dissent to serious cases) and this is obviously presuming that there was only one case per match (which is known to be untrue as often there are multiple charges in one game).
This in turn means that the general estimate is that 94 per cent of football in Cumberland is played within a positive environment.
Ben Snowdon, CEO and lead for Cumberland FA’s work around positive football environments and respect, stated: “I would suggest that the data is direct contradiction to the general perception of grassroots football.
“It does provide some important context and reminds us that most people are well behaved, and that the large majority of games played within grassroots football within Cumberland are played in a positive football environment.
“However, we are not resting on our laurels and, as we are out there attending and observing games, are well aware that there is still a problem with a small percentage of people/clubs displaying undesirable or unacceptable behaviour, and so there is more work to be done.
“Our view remains that one serious incident or negative experience could impact an individual so deeply that they walk away from the game forever. I would like to think that the figures are also a reflection of the commitment of and the work undertaken by our leagues, clubs and match officials to protect the game that we love.”
Last season, 40 clubs signed up to Cumberland FA’s Join the Wall initiative to reaffirm their commitment to a positive football environment, taking responsibility for actions within their own clubs to protect the game and ensure that more people become involved and remain within grassroots football.
