I've spent the best part of 2 seasons now at the helm of Cowdenbeath. The vast majority of that time has been spent fighting to stay off the bottom of division 3. Despite that it's been good fun and the challenge of being the underdog is one I enjoy. However I do have a problem with one of the rules, it need re-written I believe.....

At the end of each regular season � the manager whose team has finished bottom of Division 3 will automatically retire and be replaced by a waiting list manager. If the outgoing Division 3 manager has shown sufficient effort during the season (despite their unfortunate lowly league position), then the manager will be placed at the top of the waiting list and invited to re-join SESL as soon as a team becomes available � this is at the discretion of the Commissioner.

Now to me this rule says that if ye finish bottom of div 3 yer out, game over, sacked. If commish thinks your a half decent manager then your given another team or put on the waiting list. I thinks this needs re-written. Heres why.

1. RESOURCES - From about the half way stage onwards in each season I've been at COW I've realised that there is a distinct possibility that they could finish bottom. From that moment onwards all resource is dedicated to getting the team off the bottom. This may mean giving up money for home bonus or as I did last season, totalling giving up on any chance of a cup run (I got 0 points in my group). Therefore the past 2 seasons come the end I'm off the bottom but my bank balance is maybe not what it could have been had this rule been amended. I might have managed to put together a cup run (more dosh), I certainly wouldn't have spent money on 13 as a home bonus. That money could have been banked and more CP which is obviously needed bought. The fight for resources is much harder with this rule in place.

2. LINE UPS - As the season draws to an end I find that there are some peculiar results. Teams sometimes get results they shouldn't get. This seems to happen with sides near the bottom getting results against teams in the 5th to 12th kind of range, teams with not a lot to play for in the league. Their focus has switched to the cup which means that league results are sometimes a bit unreflective of their true worth. To finish bottom and be sacked because of this is unfair. Look how close it was in div 3 last season!

3. BOSMANS - If they are reintroduced then the chances of teams in the 'safe' range in the league trying as hard as they can will be reduced.

4. RELEGATED TEAMS - It may be that some just accept thier fate and therefore resource build from an early stage in an effort to go straight back up. I have no problem with this, it happens in real life football. But it's an option not open to the sides in div 3. Instead it would be the sack (if we go by the rules)

Commish says that he has only implemented this rule once and therefore he probably agrees with what I'm saying thats in its present wording it's unfair. Therefore I propose a change to the wording and I also think that it should be applicable to te whole of SESL not just the poor chaps. Something along the lines of.....

At the end of the regular season teams who finish bottom of their league may at the discretion of the commish be sacked. A sacking is open to appeal with 3 possible outcomes.

1) Remains manager of team
2) Given another team or if none available place on waiting list
3) Unsuccessful, bye bye.

I know that the vast majority of the SESL managers are unaffected by this and probably not even interested but it is someting that affects the viability of the bottom div 3 clubs! Thoughts anyone?

When a struggling manager posts, then we should listen. The fact COW do not wish to award failure is noble also. This suggests he is thinking of SESL as a whole and not his own benefit here.

I agree at times teams sometime get results they shouldn't get. This happens in real life, and it happens in SESL. If teams are going to throw games to get a better Bosman, then this needs addressed (see Bosmans Are Back thread).

The finishing last in Div 3 rule appears to be a deterrent for managers just giving up. Given COW have scrambled to avoid last place then you could perhaps argue the rule has served its purpuse entirely!!

Does this rule even matter then?

Nit picking.

That is my point exactly! We either follow the rules or not. Commish has been sensible in its application so maybe now is the time to remove/amend it so everyone is clear and I don't spend much needed resource on achieving 14th place instead of 16th.

But why should COW be forced to spend much needed resource on avoiding bottom spot? The team stats say I'm the worst team so lets just accept it, build the resources up and move onwards and upwards next season. As long as I'm not obviously fielding the worst team possible then that should be fair enough.

Why should I be denied a cup run trying to move from 16th to 14th in the league? How often do you hear lower league clubs saying 'a cup run could mean the world of a difference for us'?

If we are taking the rule seriously then it means managers must spend extra resource AND miss out on the possility of getting some from a cup run because of it. These are clubs who need resource more than most. The rule is not serving the purpose it was intended for.

I suggest we bin it or amend it.

Doesn't really seem a much used rule anyway so fair enough bin it. Commish still has the option of sacking whoever he wants, whenever he wants if he feels they arent putting enough in to the game so it won't make much difference anyway. Just maybe a little security for those battling it out at the bottom. (Although it does seem to me that you are asking for permission to give up in the league and have a go at the cup instead)

... then you would deserve to be booted from league if that is your attitude!

To expade on my feelings, I think COW did a remarkable job to edge up the table towards seasons end.

I also think its clear CLY went for Cecil Cup glory last season and were at foot of Div 3 for many sessions. CLY were not going to be sacked as he was clearly putting in the effort in Cecil Cup and trying as best he could in Div 3 with what EL was available to him.

If COW continue their efforts and go for a cup run then I am sure COW place in SESL will be secure.
So, don't worry COW, you are doing great.

I see nothing wrong with Mark using his judgement and not sacking the Wooden Spoon 'winner' if he thinks the poor chap made an effort to stay off the bottom.

Id agree with the fact that the rule doesnt need to be there, as it is only being seen in a negative way - it could infact be replaced with a rule which goes along the lines of,

"The commish can sack who he likes when he likes, if you dont give the game the attention it deserves, or cant explain your crazy actions. After all you arent paying for it so you cant have any complaints"

....im quite serious.

STE_Ricky Posted on Aug 18 2005, 11:05 PM

Now this I like, a no nonsense rule that lets everyone know the score!!!

I am in full agreement.

Early in the game when I started, I fell over once or twice, and I was made aware that repeated occurances could result in removal. But as I continued to put effort in, wrote lots of press, did as best I could in the league etc, I was spared.

I have to say, SESL is the harshest league I play in, but its the way Mark likes it, and he runs it that way for a reason. The only thing I would add to "Ricky's rule" is that New Managers should be both recommended by an existing manager, and made aware of the peculiarities of SESL life. If they can't take the heat, don't step near the kitchen in the first place.

MON for the heave ho then?
No wins in last dozen on league games (1 win in last 19)

CB & DEV worse rosters but they did twice as well.
CB & DEV making a real evort, no doubt about it.

"Div 3 Bottom Sack Rule" is probably there for any manager stuck at foot of Div 3, and not really caring. Almost 'given up'. What use are they to sesl as a whole?

Does he bother to write team press releases?
Does he make efforts to improve his team with trading?
Does he post on forum and get involved in SESL?
If not, maybe its best to freshen things up with a new manager at the 48th placed team.

I found this old forum thread.

Wooden Spoon race this season (19) is hotting up
between AI and DEE at foot of Div 3.

Wooden Spoon race this season (19) is hotting up
between AI and ROS now at foot of Div 3.

Well done Ashley - great DEE session yesterday.

The race to avoid the Wooden Spoon is going to be a good one especially with ROS vs. AI match coming up shortly. DEE isn't totally clear yet, either.