UPDATE - ALL GOOD THINGS COME TO AN END - NEW ADMINS NEEDED URGENTLY!
UPDATE 30th July 2025
Firstly, can I say a big thank you to the members who sent me personal messages and posted messages below. Much appreciated, guys, and thank you all for doing the important job of turning out to play and sharing in the Club's titles over the last three seasons.
Sadly, we haven't had a volunteer stepping forward to take up the Club Administration baton. Sean has been great in ensuring the Club at least plays in the CCCUKI tournaments next season. However, with no Club Admin TFS will only be playing in the County Championship for 2026 i.e. the Open League, Under 1600 and Under 1300 Rating leagues and the Knock-Out Cup.
TFS will not be competing in WCL, ECL or EIRC tournaments without two designated Admins (their tournament rules). There is still time for an Admin to come forward, so I guess is by way of a last request/invitation.
I'll continue with Admin duties for the tournaments till to be completed - rounds for the CC Under 1600 and Under 1300. I'll also update all the Tournament Forums as each competition comes to a close.
Thanks.
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It’s been a fun ride over the last three years in my role as senior admin and, latterly, site owner. TFS has gone from strength to strength, winning silverware along the way – new kids on the block to teams in Div 1 of both the CC Open League and Under 1600 League, not to mention success in WCL, ECL and EIRC tournaments.
I’m a firm believer in contributing and then stepping aside to allow someone else to try their hand. And that’s the point I’ve reached. I will be stepping away from both playing daily chess and my roles as TFS club superadmin and WCL tournament director in a few months. This is a decision I have been mulling over for a while. I think TFS could do with a new voice leading the Club.
Back in February, I posted an Announcement requesting new Admin volunteers, following the resignation of our then-second admin. Sadly, no one came forward. To maintain two named Admins (a requirement for most of the tournaments in which we participate), CCUKI agreed to fill the ‘second chair’, undertaking to accept match challenges and ensure that TFS also issues challenges in a timely fashion. There’s much more to the job – the successful clubs tend to be those where the Admin Team is proactive in encouraging registration for matches and keeping members updated on results, standings, and upcoming matches.
Now that I am leaving, the matter of Admins is much more pressing. Worst case scenario? If no one comes forward, then the Club could cease to operate. Maybe CCUKI would provide a helping hand? Maybe not. So, if you want the Club to continue, then it’s time to step forward and take the responsibility.
There’s no manual for how to do the job, although the basic Admin requirements for setting up a match are set out in the Forum – link here: https://www.chess.com/clubs/forum/view/how-to-set-up-a-match-for-admins-1
I would be happy to answer any queries. And to act as a mentor for a couple of months, new Admins could, for example, take responsibility for the Club’s remaining CC U1600 and U1300 matches.
But New Admins do need to be in place by September – in order to register the Club for 2026 Tournaments.
