This being the 17th Annual Report of the League and the most frustrating season since I have held office as Hon. General Secretary. A few Clubs found cause not to play fixtures when arranged, some for very trivial reasons, this coupled with the inclement weather early in the season did not help the smooth operation of the League.

It is with great sadness that I have to record the deaths of three members of the League. The death of Sid Ashman on the 23rd June, 1992 came as a shock to me when I returned from holidays. Only the week previous to this date, along with the League's Chairman Dennis Kilford, I had visited his home to present him with his Life Membership certificate and the clock which he was unable to collect at the Annual General Meeting due to being in hospital recovering from a hip operation.

On December 14th, the news of the death of Vice President Bill Shail was received. Bill for many years had been a staunch supporter of Wiltshire football and had given many valuable hours as an administrator to the game which we all love.

The death of another Vice President, Bill Spreadbury was received in April this year. Bill was for many years Secretary of Amesbury Town Football Club, before deciding to emigrate to Australia. The League will miss the usual $20 Australian dollars and cheerful letter which he regularly sent prior to the Annual General Meeting.

Meetings have been held with the Joint Liaison Committees of the pyramid system involving the Great Mills Western League and The Spectre Hellenic League. At the time of going to print with this report, Pewsey Vale Football Club are most anxious as to the outcome of their application to join the Great Mills Western League as Champions of Division One.

Pewsey Vale have worked wonders at their ground. A year ago the Club requested an inspection by the Management Committee in order to ascertain the amount of alterations needed to meet the standards for entry into the Great Mills Western League. Within a year the dressing rooms have been re-vamped, the pitch enclosed with steel tubing, brick built dug-outs erected, hard standing and covered accommodation for spectators. The Management Committee sincerely hope their application will be successful, as this may lead the way for other member clubs to follow suit and improve their ground and facilities, to the standard required for promotion under the pyramid system.

Due to the inclement weather prior to Christmas and only three games having been played in the Floodlight Cup Competition by the end of January, it was decided to abandon this competition for this season. This action was taken reluctantly and to avoid placing extra pressure on Clubs during the latter end of the season, to play games.

The representative fixture was played against the Dorset Combination League at Shaftesbury and after an entertaining game, the League team lost 1 - 0. Considering that Team Manager Kevin Cranmer had to replace seven players from the original squad that was selected, the performance was an outstanding feat. The Management Committee wish to record its thanks to Clubs who provided replacement players at the very last moment, this kind of co-operation is always appreciated.

"ADDKEY PRINT LIMITED" again kindly sponsored the Senior CUp Competition and provided excellent trophies for the finalists. Also Doug Perry must be thanked for providing refreshments for the teams at the conclusion of the final held at his home town of Corsham. Members of Corsham Town Football Club must be thanked for their efforts on the day of the Senior Cup final. Doug had indicated that "ADDKEY PRINT LIMITED" will continue their sponsorship next season.

Debbie from FOUNTAIN TROPHIES of Bristol provided the individual awards for "the Junior final which was staged at Marlborough Town's ground. Debbie travelled from Bristol on the Wednesday evening to personally present the Cup and awards to the players. FOUNTAIN TROPHIES have again indicated their support to the League next season.

Our sincere thanks to ADDKEY PRINT LIMITED and FOUNTAIN TROPHIES for their continued interest shown to the League by sponsorship of the Cup Competitions.

The Wiltshire County Football Association have carried out ground inspections at many of the Senior Clubs in membership of the League. During these inspections discrepancies have been found at certain grounds and these have to be rectified before the commencement of next Season. I plead with Clubs that have to carry out modifications to ensure these alterations are ready for the re-inspection, so that the League programme will not be disrupted.

CONSTITUTION

At the Annual General Meeting last June, the formation of the Divisions "was agreed as follows: Divisions 1,2 & 3 consist of 16 teams and Division 4- 15 teams.

Westbury United Reserves found difficulty in obtaining sufficient players of the standard required to compete in Division Two and was forced to resign early in August.

West Swindon found to their disadvantage that the pitch at Greendown School had been sand slitted during late summer and was deemed unplayable, so unfortunately, they had to withdraw from Senior football.

During February, the Wiltshire County Football Association had reason to withdraw the affiliation of Avebury Park Football Club, so this entailed expunging their records from Divisions Two and Four.

I should like to take this opportunity as Chairman to reflect back on the season which had some "highs" and some "lows", also a change of name, dropping the "County" from the title.

One of the highs I refer to is the Pyramid System which the League joined in season 1991/92. After two seasons we could have Pewsey Vale promoted to the Great Mills western League. The club made a tremendous effort during the season to get their facilities to the required standard and finishing champions has opened the door for them. Congratulations to everyone connected with the club. I should also like to congratulate all the champions and runners-up of each Division this season, wish them continued success in the future.

The League cup competitions - the Addkey Senior and Fountain Trophies Junior was very successful and congratulation to the winners and thanks to our sponsors Addkey Print Limited and Fountain Trophies for their continued • support to the League.

On the "lows", I was disappointed to see Avebury Park disappear from the Wilts League after so many good years under the guidance of the late Vernon Blake.

The season which has been one of our most difficult with the weather conditions cancelling so many fixtures and resulting in our Floodlight Competition also being cancelled.

I should like to thank all the Officers and Management Committee for the hard work they have put in during the season and the support they have given to me. In closing may I wish all clubs success in the coming season.

DENNIS KILFORD

CHAIRMAN

I am again pleased to be able to report that the League has made a profit and on this occasion a substantial one on the years workings in the sum of £1,066.93 which is an increase of £801 on last year.

This profit was far in excess of what was expected when the financial year commenced, and you will recall that my report last year I anticipated a possible loss on the season unless subscriptions and certain fines and fees were reviewed to increase our income. These extra subscriptions etc. were passed at the last Annual General Meeting and took effect over the last year and increased the League's income by about £1,000.

Expenditure on the year increased by £763, so your Management committee nearly go it right. What was not foreseen however, was that income from fines would increase by £669 and last year, owing to large attendances at the three Cup Finals income from Cups amounted to £373. Last year income from Cups was nil, and in fact a small loss was made on this item. These two items alone came to £1072 which was equivalent to the profit on the season. The income from these two sources are difficult to estimate, and I have already assumed that the income from Cups would be considerably less next year, and if Clubs do not cancel so many fixtures this coming season income from fines could be much less.

You will pleased to hear that your Management Committee do not propose any increases in fees, but are recommending at the Annual General Meeting a small increase in Officers honoraria, as this has not altered for the last five years.

I thank Addkey Print Limited and Fountain Trophies for again sponsoring our two major Cup Competitions.

I also thank all Officers and Management Committee members for their grand support, and for keeping their expenses within reason, and for the many journeys they make in attending meetings and other functions at little cost on behalf of the League.

I am also grateful to our Chairman Dennis Kilford for his always ready advice when required, and especially the Secretary - Pete Ackrill for his great assistance and making sure that I am up and about by 9.30 a.m. most Sunday mornings. I am sure that no other League can have such a hardworking and diligent servant, and we all owe him a great debt of gratitude for the most efficient way he mans the League.

I am again grateful to our President and Vice Presidents for their continued support and especially to Peter Mundy who has audited our books for so many seasons. He is a very busy man, in so many activities, and it is most gratifying of him to continue to carry out this onerous task.

Finally a big thank you to all Member Clubs and their officials for generally dealing with their finances so efficiently.

J. S. NORTHOVER

HON. TREASUER

This season has been my 12th in the post, and it is probably fair to say that I experienced very few problems, due largely to the majority of Clubs being most co-operative.

However, there is still one area where administration could be made easier. This is in the submission of Stamped Addressed Envelopes for the return of slips and receipts.

This requirement is especially relevant with regard to the Club's receipt of a transfer acknowledgement - Rule 8(K) states that "Before a player in transfer is eligible to play for his new club the transfer form receipt must be received by that club". This Rule will be strictly applied so it is in your interests to comply with the wording of this Rule.

Another problem encountered has been that of loss of cash sent through the mail; please send only cheques or postal orders made payable to The Wiltshire Football League, not Wiltshire F.A.!! Registration forms will not be supplied without proper pre-payment (see Rule 8(F)).

"Double signings" were reduced dramatically to just TWO - due I am sure to Clubs checking with me first before committing players to signing again.

Total registrations were 1,951 (a record) and transfers 83. Any club needing guidance on registration matters, pre-season, is welcome to contact me during July/August.

In conclusion may I wish everyone an enjoyable summer break and best wishes for next season, 1993/1994.

R.J.M. WIRDNAM

HON. REGISTRATION SECRETARY

Season 1992/93 has been the most turbulent of seasons, caused directly by the large numbers of cancellations and last minute changes to the Fixture lists enforced by the inclement weather we had during the winter months. The earlier start to the season also caused me problems due to the unavailability of a large number of officials who were still engaged in cricketing pursuits.

During the season I used a total of 156 referees, comprising of 75 x Class 1, 50 x Class 2 and 31 x Class 3 referees, a total that was 13 per cent down on last season. It was particularly disappointing to lose 21 per cent of Class 1 referees from the previous season, all with varied reasons as to why they no longer wished to officiate on the League. I have had to cover a total of 1,695 appointments in total and had nineteen matches in Divisions 1 & 2 which only had 1 Linesman, a rise from the previous season. This, I believe, was caused by the large number of re-arranged matches we had to endure and as a consequence an official who was available on the original date was not always available on the re-arranged date.

Every contributory League linesman was allocated at least ten appointments and the fact that they did not complete their allotted appointments was totally out of my control as I have not yet derived a formula for controlling the weather.

This season I have received a total of 26 adverse reports against referees, this compares with 9 last season. This, coupled with the lower overall average mark for referees leads me to suggest that the standard of refereeing at present is of a lower standard than in previous years, hopefully the standard will improve next season.

I reported last year that our Referees Committee met with the Wiltshire F.A. Referees Committee in order to iron out a few differences we had and I hoped we would achieve a better working rapport with that Committee. Unfortunately I have to report that nothing has improved and we still do not receive the information we require regarding promotion of existing referees and registration of newly qualified referees as we were promised.

I report that Mr. G.V.J. Hunt of Chippenham is nominated to receive the Referees Appreciation Award at the AGM. Gary has been refereeing for 29 years and reached contributory League Linesman status. He is extremely reliable, will never turn back an appointment and always keeps me advised of his open and closed dates. He is a dedicated referee and he was nominated for the award as a result of his exemplary service to the Wiltshire Football League.

In conclusion season 92/93 is best remembered as an appointments secretary's nightmare and is therefore best forgotten, roll on 93/94 when things can only get better - or can they?

M.W.E.FARROW

HON REFEREE'S APPOINTMENTS SECRETARY

After several kind winters in succession, we were finally brought down to earth with one of the wettest seasons I can remember resulting in a record number of matches being postponed. This made for a tremendous backlog of fixtures at the end of the Season with many teams having to play as many as three matches per week once the evening fixtures got underway. Such was the extent of the bad weather that even some matches were postponed as early as the opening weeks of the season and as late as early April. Mind you not all cancelled games were due to the weather and I am sad to have to report that of the two hundred and seventy seven matches called off during the season, as many as sixty one were postponed for unacceptable reasons. One team actually failed to raise a side on as many as seven occasions during the season and several others were not far behind that number. Whilst the fines imposed may help to swell the League's coffers, it is not the ideal way of raising money since clubs in my opinion should be seeking to fulfil their playing obligations with the minimum of fuss and frankly the number of cancellations this season for unacceptable reasons is not conducive to meeting the high standards the Wiltshire League is renowned for. Despite the penalty aspect, the time may well have come for the Management Committee to take stock of the situation and consider what additional action might be taken against persistent offenders to ensure the quality of the League is maintained. Having got that off my chest I am pleased to state the League programme was fully completed on time with the commitment of Member Clubs.

The end of the Season as usual saw several tight finishes none more so than in Divisions Three and Four. SALISBURY MANOR who had a number of games to make up as part of the backlog, came from nowhere to snatch the Division Three title from BOX ROVERS, who finished Runners-up and ALDBOURNE PARK RESERVES, who finished third, while in Division Four DORCAN RESERVES lost only one league match during the second half of the Season to pip PLESSEY SEMICS RESERVES, who had led affairs for most of the campaign, for the Championship. In Division Two MARLBOROUGH TOWN looked at one stage as though they were going to be the first side to remain undefeated in the league for the whole of the Season. However, as late as March 13th PLESSEY SEMICS finally spoilt that unbeaten record and TISBURY UNITED followed up three weeks later. Division One was tight at the top until the closing weeks of the Season when PEWSEY VALE gradually drew clear to win their second Championship. PEWSEY have now applied for admission to the Great Mills Western League, but at the time of going to print it is not certain whether they have been accepted. However, as one who in completely in favour of the Pyramid system, I find it gratifying that one of our Member Clubs is far sighted enough to take the next step on the football promotion ladder and I know if PEWSEY are accepted, the work they have put in to ensure their facilities are up to the required standard will have been all worthwhile. I hope PEWSEY'S initiative will serve to encourage other Member Clubs to follow suit.

Please also bear in mind the League is not necessarily losing a team to another League, but could gain other teams on the downward spiral of the Pyramid.

I have again received tremendous support from other Officers and Members of the Management Committee, together with the backing of Member Clubs and I firmly believe in what's been a difficult Season, everyone has finally pulled together to ensure the commitments made at the last Annual General Meeting have been met.

P.M. COOK

HON. FIXTURE SECRETARY

My congratulations to all Member Clubs who reached local Cup finals - most of these are for a Charity and keeps the funds alive for worthwhile causes.

Congratulations are extended to Cliff and Daphne Cousins who "tied" the knot and got married on Friday 14th May, 1993 - good luck to you both.

My sincere thanks to Officers and Members of the Management Committee who again supported me during this very busy and frustrating season. To Club Secretaries for their co-operation with me and other League Officers - again we all thank you. "Looking forward to next season, when hopefully the League will not see so many fixtures cancelled for unacceptable reasons. Wishing everyone connected with the League, a restful summer break and come back full of vigour and enthusiasm.

PJ ACKRILL

HON.GENERAL SECRETARY