The FA have released a package of documents to help clubs and players of all levels to prepare for the return of football.

We have linked to the documents below and all those relevant to the DFL will also be added to the Useful Documents section.

DFL North and East Division side Witheridge are looking for a new First Team Manager/Coach & Linesman after the resignation of the previous incumbent last weekend. Any interested parties have been asked to send an email to
 grahampilsbury@yahoo.co.uk.

Following the Devon Football League’s AGM, the constitution for the 2020/21 season has been officially announced. This is subject to ratification by the Football Association. LMC members remain the same.

South-West Division	North-East Division
Bere Alston United	Alphington
Buckland Athletic Reserves	Bovey Tracey Reserves
Kingsteignton Athletic	Braunton
Lakeside Athletic	Budleigh Salterton
Newton Abbot Spurs Reserves	Chudleigh Athletic
Okehampton Argyle	Clyst Valley
Ottery St. Mary	Exmouth Town Reserves
Plymouth Argyle Development	Exwick Villa
Paignton Saints	Heavitree United
Paignton Villa	Liverton United
Plympton Athletic	Newtown
Plymstock United	St Martins
Roselands	Teignmouth
Totnes & Dartington SC	Topsham Town
Waldon Athletic	University of Exeter
Watcombe Wanderers	Witheridge

Image: (c) MiraclePR

The Premier League, The FA, the government and Sport England have come together through their Football Foundation to launch a new ‘Pitch Preparation Fund’ in support of the game, which is currently facing unprecedented challenges as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.

The fund provides almost £10 million of financial support to those struggling to maintain their football pitches across the country. This is a direct response to a need across the game, providing grants to clubs that have lost out on normal revenue streams during this difficult period and helping them to prepare their pitches after challenging winter weather conditions.

The move will help to get clubs in a position to start playing football again when it is safe to do so, following government advice, and is estimated that to benefit up to 4,000 grassroots clubs and organisations.

A total of £9.56 million has been allocated to the fund, which is open to football clubs and voluntary organisations that maintain their own natural grass pitches and have at least 12 months’ security of tenure.  Clubs with suitable tenure for a 3G artificial grass pitch are also eligible to apply.

Grassroots football clubs and organisations, FA National League System Clubs from Step 1-6, Welsh Cymru Premier League clubs and clubs in The FA Women’s Pyramid (Tier 1-5) that maintain their own natural grass and third generation (3G) artificial grass pitches, are among those eligible to apply for funding.

Robert Sullivan, Football Foundation Interim Chief Executive, said: “This fund reflects the determination of the Premier League, The FA and government to work together to make funding available to help get pitches match-ready for when restrictions are lifted.

“The Football Foundation will work with eligible clubs and community organisations across the country to ensure they get what they need.  We are here to help, so please apply via footballfoundation.org.uk before the deadline of 25 May.”

Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters said: “These are unprecedented times, not only within football but for society as a whole, and our thoughts are with all those who have been directly affected by COVID-19.

“On top of our existing financial commitment to football facilities, this funding will ensure vital work can be conducted on pitches across the country to help clubs prepare for when it is safe for the game to resume.”

Mark Bullingham, The FA’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “These are extraordinary and challenging times not just for football, but across society and as always, our first thoughts are with those families affected.

“We remain committed to supporting clubs during this uncertain period and that’s why The FA has joined forces with the Premier League and government to create this new initiative.”

Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston said: “We’re doing all we can to help the sport sector through this difficult time and that includes grassroots football that has such a positive impact on millions of people’s lives.

“This funding from the government, the Premier League and The FA will help clubs upgrade their facilities so they are ready to go as soon as it’s safe to start playing again.”

The funding will help eligible clubs with essential maintenance works which could include vertical decompaction, slitting, over seeding, fertilising and weedkilling, as well as routine preparatory works such as grass cutting and the setting out and line marking of pitches. For artificial surfaces, eligible works could include deep cleaning, overmarking and FA pitch testing.

The application window will be open between Thursday 7 May and 9pm on Monday 25 May 2020.

Please visit the Football Foundation website for further details on the fund and how to apply.

THE Football Association has confirmed the 2019-20 season has been terminated with all results expunged due to the Coronavirus.

This decision will mean the Scott Richards Solicitors Devon Football League has sadly come to an early conclusion but we complete understand the decision taken by the FA in these unprecedented times.

The DFL would like to thank all the clubs, players, officials, supporters, volunteers and everyone that makes football such a special game.

We will come back stronger and better than ever before once this crisis is over but, for now, please stay safe and well, and please follow all the advice from the government.

Please see a copy of the full FA statement here.

FOLLOWING further guidance from the FA, all matches in the Scott Richards Solicitors DFL are postponed over the weekend of March 14/15 due to the Coronavirus.

We will provide a further update from our League meeting early next week.

THE weather has continued to dominate football through February but there were some games played in the Scott Richards Solicitors Devon Football League last weekend.

Buckland Athletic is the best place to start and a very difficult time at Homers Heath, as we learned of the sad passing of beloved club chairman Roy Holmes. A wonderful servant of Devon football and Buckland Athletic, our deepest sympathies go out to Roy’s family and friends.

On the pitch, Buckland Athletic Reserves v Lakeside Athletic was one of four games in the South & West Division last weekend, and the two teams served up an absolute cracker, with Buckland running out 5-3 winners to stay top of the table.

Two penalties from Ben Clark, an outrageous effort by Owen Stockton and goals from Charlie Cuss and Zack Chalmers-Wood gave Watcombe a 5-0 win at Ottery St Mary, while there was a brilliant hat-trick from Jamie Micklewright to give Paignton Saints a 3-0 win over Plympton Athletic.

The final game in S&W saw Waldon Athletic win 3-1 at Paignton Villa and just the one game played in North & East, but what a game, as Liverton United and the University of Exeter shared eight goals in a thrilling 4-4 draw.

It is a fascinating weekend of fixtures scheduled in the S&W and a couple of intriguing local derbies, as Newton Abbot Spurs Reserves host Kingsteignton and the Plymouth Argyle Development side travel to Plymstock United.

In N&E, Bovey Tracey Reserves are the latest side to take on the daunting task of a trip to runaway leaders Newtown and two big games in the chasing pack, as Alphington in third host Heavitree in fifth, while second-place Exwick Villa travel to fourth-placed St Martins.

Weekend Fixtures
South & West
Bere Alston United v Waldon Athletic
Lakeside Athletic v Paignton Saints
Newton Abbot Spurs Reserves v Kingsteignton Athletic
Ottery St Mary v Paignton Villa
Plymstock United v Plymouth Argyle Development
Roselands v Watcombe Wanderers
Totnes & Dartington v Tavistock Reserves

Weekend Fixtures
North & East
Alphington v Heavitree United
Braunton v Witheridge
Chudleigh Athletic v Topsham Town
Exmouth Town Reserves v Clyst Valley
Newtown v Bovey Tracey Reserves
St Martins v Exwick Villa
Teignmouth v Liverton United
University of Exeter v Budleigh Salterton

NEWTOWN extended their lead to 13 points at the top of the North & East Division in the Scott Richards Solicitors Devon Football League after a 2-1 win over second-placed Exwick Villa last weekend.

In a thoroughly entertaining and highly competitive encounter between two top sides, a brace from Dale O’Donoghue proved enough for Newtown, despite Villa going ahead through Nathan May and pushing their hosts to the very end in search of an equaliser.

Alphington are in third place after their goal-fest at home to Witheridge. Connor Saunders scored twice and Tom Beddow, Mark Saunders and Bailey Jason-Ryan also scored for the Alphas in a 5-3 win, while Tom Williams, Ashley Harrison and Matt Pengelly notched for Witheridge.

St Martins are another side riding high following their 7-1 trouncing of Liverton and there was also a comfortable 4-1 triumph for Teignmouth at Heavitree United. Bovey Tracey Reserves defeated Chudleigh Athletic 3-0 and a brace for Charlie Nichols, and teenager Tor Swann also on target.

Clyst Valley finally got their first point of the campaign and fully deserved in a 3-3 draw with fellow-strugglers Topsham Town. The last game in the N&E Division ended in a 3-1 win for Exmouth Town Reserves over Budleigh Salterton.

In the South & West Division, Buckland Athletic Reserves consolidated their lead at the top with a battling 2-1 triumph over Watcombe Wanderers, thanks to goals from Dan Rankin and Jacob Scotte, while Joe Constantinou notched for Watcombe.

Waldon Athletic moved into second with a 2-1 win over Lakeside Athletic but Kingsteignton Athletic continue to struggle for consistency after being held to a 3-3 draw at lowly Ottery St Mary. A late winner from Lewis Edwards gave Plympton Athletic a 3-2 home win over Totnes & Dartington.

A double from Jamie Micklewright was a key factor in Paignton Saints winning 3-1 in the local derby with Paignton Villa, but another tough day for Roselands, who were thrashed 8-3 by Bere Alston United. The final game in S&W ended in a 2-1 win for Newton Abbot Spurs Reserves against the Plymouth Argyle Development side.

WALDON Athletic took the Torquay plaudits in the Scott Richards Solicitors Devon Football League this weekend.

On a day of Torbay derbies, Waldon came from 1-0 down to eventually beat Watcombe Wanderers 3-2 with a last-minute goal. The Paignton version of the Torbay derby ended in a 1-1 draw between Villa and Saints. Chris Srdinko scored for Villa and Jamie Micklewright on target for Saints.

Elsewhere in the South & West Division, there was a fantastic 4-2 win for Lakeside Athletic at title-challengers Kingsteignton Athletic. Brandon Jeffiers scored a brace and there were further Lakeside goals for Jack Presland and Ashley Wills from the penalty spot.

It was a result that gave Buckland Athletic Reserves the opportunity to consolidate their lead at the top and they achieved that with a solid 2-0 win against Ottery St Mary, who pushed their visitors all the way. Nick Rudge and Callum Fyfe scored the Buckland goals.

Plympton Athletic were brutally ruthless in their 14-1 demolition of Roselands and a difficult day for the visitors, but credit to Plympton for their clinical finishing, with Lucas Lapthorne, Dom Lapthorne and Dan Edwards all among the scorers.

Jack Lethbridge, Brett Cole and Fraser Bricknell scored the goals for Plymstock United in their 3-1 triumph at home to Bere Alston United, while the final game in S&W saw Tavistock Reserves win 4-1 at Newton Abbot Spurs Reserves.

In the North & East Division, Newtown continue to ride high at the top after yet another efficient display in defeating Exmouth Town Reserves 4-0. There were two more goals to the tally for Cory O’Donoghue, with Kyle Bassett and Daniel Gill also scoring.

If, however, Newtown do slip up in their march to the title, Exwick Villa are the side best positioned to mount a challenge, as they consolidated second place with a 3-0 victory at Budleigh Salterton, thanks to goals from Nathan May, Mitch Ward and Jon Dawson.

Among the chasing group, there was an entertaining 2-2 draw between Teignmouth and Alphington, while Heavitree United remain in fifth after a hardworking 1-0 win at Witheridge.

Braunton continued their good form in 2020 with a 7-1 trouncing of Bovey Tracey Reserves. Ben Aiken bagged a hat-trick for the home side and there were also goals for Luke Austen, Joe Seldon, Ross Maynard and Peter Stapley.

Chudleigh Athletic were another big winner on the weekend, as they beat Clyst Valley 5-1 and a terrific day for Jamie Aspden, who scored four of the five goals. The final game was a great win for Liverton at Topsham Town, as they triumphed 2-1 through a Lee Henriques penalty and a cracker from Dejan Maric.

A SOLID home win for Braunton on Saturday brought big smiles at Camp Lobb and the North Devon outfit now has more wins than defeats in the North & East Division of the Scott Richards Solicitors Devon Football League.

Exmouth Town Reserves were the weekend visitors and a side sitting a couple of places higher in a congested mid-table, but it was an indication of the competitive nature of this league that Braunton were able to grab the three points, thanks to an own goal and Ben Aiken’s second-half effort.

At the top of this intriguing division, it is looking like a two-horse race, as Exwick Villa reminded leaders Newtown that they still have work to do. Villa were excellent in winning 5-2 at an Alphington side also riding high. Mark Saunders scored the opener for Villa and then doubles from Nathan May and Sam Johnson sealed the win.

Newtown, meanwhile, do still enjoy a healthy lead at the top after a ruthless 8-0 triumph at Topsham Town. Sam Stapleton, Cory O’Donoghue and Ben Howard all got two each, with Dale O’Donoghue and Darren Osmond also on target. It was a score almost matched by the University of Exeter, who ran out 7-0 winners at home to Witheridge.

There was an incredible game at Heavitree United, where Liverton emerged with a 6-5 victory. Livvy came back from 3-0, 4-1 and 5-3 down to somehow triumph, with Neil Last scoring a hat-trick and also goals from Dejan Maric, Sam Hebbes and player-manager John Fleet.

James Bowden and Nick Garrett scored the Chudleigh goals in a 2-2 home draw with Budliegh Salteron and the final two games in N&E ended in 2-1 wins for Bovey Tracey Reserves at Clyst Valley, and for St Martins at home to Teignmouth.

Tavistock Reserves were the big story and the big scorers in the South & West Division, as they produced an extraordinary attacking performance to win 10-2 at Roselands.

While the scoring was nothing like the Tavvy game, a 1-0 victory for Plympton Athletic at a muddy Watcombe Wanderers was just as important. Dan Edwards scored the only goal for Plympton and a great result against a team above them in the table.

Waldon Athletic remain in the title hunt after a hardworking 3-2 win at Paignton Saints, who themselves are enjoying a decent debut campaign at this level. Paignton Villa, meanwhile, battled to a hard-fought point at fellow struggles Lakeside Athletic. Tom Parvin scored for Villa and Joshua Lashbrook for Lakeside.

Newton Abbot Spurs Reserves were excellent in recording a 4-1 victory at Plymstock United. Callum Noyce opened the scoring for Spurs but Cayleb Needham brought Plymstock level at the break. The second half, however, was all Spurs, as Noyce scored his second, debutant Carl Roles made it 3-1 and Jake Elms completed the scoring. The final game was an entertaining 2-2 draw between Ottery St Mary and Bere Alston United.