The season began disastrously for my family, with the sudden loss of my dear wife Marilyn, who had supported me in football administration for over 30 years. However, with the support of Members of the Management committee and other close friends, I have managed to continue with all activities associated with the League. My sincere appreciation to all who sent their condolences at the time.

On the 22nd November 1993, the news of the death of Life Member Harry Beattie was received. Only the day before I had been speaking to him concerning various aspects of the League for publication. Harry had covered football in Wiltshire for nearly 50 years and all Clubs will remember the Saturday evening telephone calls from him to obtain the score. Harry's name will not be forgotten, as his daughter Cathy Roberts presented the League with a Chairman's "Jewel of Office". This chain of office will always be worn with pride, by the League Chairmen.

Good news was received on 11th May that Melksham Town and Amesbury Town had been promoted under the pyramid system to the Great Mills Western League. Both Clubs must be congratulated upon this achievement. A tremendous amount of work had to be carried out at both grounds to meet the strict standards required for promotion. This was obtained by sheer hard work and determination by the respective Committees. Congratulations to both Clubs - we shall watch your progress with interest.

The League hosted the representative fixture against the Dorset Combination at Amesbury under their excellent floodlights. It is pleasing to report that a 4 - 0 win brought the trophy back to Wiltshire after many years of being defeated by our near neighbours. This was a magnificent performance considering that two of the selected

players failed to arrive on the evening, so Team Manager Stuart Withers must be praised for his efforts in achieving this win. The Management Committee wish to record its thanks to Amesbury Town Football Club for providing an excellent evening, also obtaining a player replacement at 7.20 p.m. on the night.

Corsham Town played host to the Addkey Senior Cup and Fountain Trophies Junior cup finals on 7th May and what a successful day it turned out to be - even the weather was kind to us. Members of Corsham Town Football Club must be thanked for all their help and assistance on the day and we look forward to returning next season.

ADDKEY PRINT LIMITED was again the sponsor of the Senior Cup Competition and provided excellent trophies for the finalists. Doug Perry must be thanked for the hospitality he provided during the day - a big thank you. Doug has indicated that ADDKEY PRINT LIMITED will continue their sponsorship next season. FOUNTAIN TROPHIES continued to sponsor the Junior Cup competition and again provided the individual awards for this competition. Debbie travelled from Bristol to personally present the awards on the evening. A new sponsor for the Floodlight Cup Competition was found, and to this we have to sincerely thank Ken Clarke of WESTERNSPORT TROPHIES Ken provided a new Cup and also the individual awards for this competition.

I was very pleased and honoured to receive on behalf of the League a chairman’s collar presented in memory of Harry Beattie by his daughter Cathy Roberts at our recent Management Dinner. Harry will be remembered for his devotion to football and in particular the Wilts League. I shall miss Harry, a Life Member of the League, at our Annual General Meeting sitting in the front row taking notes as he has done for many years.

After changing our name last season, it was suggested this season we designed a new logo. Many thanks to Phil Cooks son Matthew for producing the design which incorporates Stonehenge. The new logo will be introduced on our trophies next season.

Congratulations to all League Champions and Runners up this season, in particular a mention for Melksham Town and Amesbury Town who gained promotion to the Great Mills Western League, also to Amesbury Town on winning the Wilts F.A. Senior Cup.

I should like to thank the Officers and Management Committee for the hard work they have put in, and the support they have given me during a season which like a number has not been without its problems. An efficient League relies on efficient member clubs. In particular to the new clubs in the League please assist the Officers by attending to the affairs of your Club in a prompt and efficient way.

In closing may I wish all Clubs a happy and successful season in 1994/95.

This is the tenth occasion that I have presented the accounts of the League and am able to report that the profit on the years workings is once again a very healthy one in the figure of £971.35. Income in the sum of £9,028 was far in excess of what was anticipated because of two factors: (i) An increase from fines of £976 and (ii) a donation of £500 from Mrs. Cathy Roberts in memory of her much-respected late father Mr. Harry Beattie. The latter sum was used to purchase a Chairman’s collar and also for the newly designed League ties, which have been very well received.

Income from other sources was down compared with the previous season especially relating to interest on the Leagues investments and entrance fees.

Expenditure was up by £835 mainly because of increased administration costs partly due to (a) extra meetings and visits to Clubs in connection with the League now being part of the pyramid and (b) increased printing and stationery costs, (c) increased costs of representative match against Dorset as we were the hosts on this occasion, (d) cup receipts as anticipated in my report last year were down by £176.

It is clear that without the unprecedented increase received from fines that the League would only have broken even. It should be noted that compared with the accounts for 1991/92 that the increase from fines last season increased by £1,326.

In view of the strong financial situation, it is not proposed to increase dues and subscriptions for season 1994/95 and neither is it proposed to recommend any increase in honoraria for the Officers.

I thank all our main sponsors namely Addkey Print Limited, Fountain Trophies and Westernsport for their most generous support of our Cup competitions as well as the President and Vice Presidents for their continued interest.

I should also like to thank Peter Mundy for again auditing these accounts and the Clubs, League Officers and Committee members for their co-operation with me during the season.

J. S. NORTHOVER

HON. TREASUER

My reflections on yet another very busy season are that as before, the majority of Club Secretaries continue their policies of being helpful and co-operative.

However, there have again been disappointments - some clubs administration leaves a lot to be desired with sometimes inevitable results, i.e. Double signings - a massive seasonal increase to eleven, a very poor statistic indeed - plus other problems. I am also increasingly concerned at the growing number of forms pushed through my letter box without being in envelopes. This applies to Registrations, Transfers and Team Sheets - even loose cash! This is an untidy practice and I would be pleased to see an immediate improvement, even a used envelope would be more acceptable than none. Transfer applications MUST be accompanied by a S.A.E. otherwise they will not be returned in time to comply with League Rule 8(K). Clubs therefore risk transfers being ineligible. A reminder here that Transfer, Registration Forms and the fee must be all submitted together, otherwise the transfer may not be sanctioned. I certainly do not appreciate very late (11.00 pm) personal and telephone calls and hope that this practice will cease. It would be pleasing to see an improvement in the submission of preseason Registration forms, preferably not as many (usually 8 - 10) on the opening day of the season or the day before.

In conclusion thanks to my fellow Committee Members for their continued support. Best wishes to everyone concerned with the League for an enjoyable summer break.

R.J.M. WIRDNAM

HON. REGISTRATION SECRETARY

In my 6th season as Referees secretary I have compiled the following facts:

1. I completed a total of 1,660 appointments, and I had a total of 39 appointments which I was unable to fill simply because of the lack of available officials to act as Linesmen. This was generally when Swindon Town were playing at home, a problem I hopefully will not encounter next season. The large number of cancellations and reappointments were also a contributory factor to the shortage.

2. I used a total of 69 Class 1 Officials, 37 Class 2 Officials and 36 Class 3 Officials making a total of 143 referees in all, again a drop on last season's figures of 156.

3. I received a total of 22 adverse reports submitted against referees a drop from last season's figure of 26.

4. Les Woodward was nominated to receive the Referees Appreciation Award at the Annual General Meeting, an award totally merited and deservedly awarded.

5. Finally, I must mention Les Perkins and Geoff Fisher, two of our current officials who are still highly active at the ages of 70 and 69 respectively, may they both continue forever, their dedication and enthusiasm cannot be faulted.

M.W.E.FARROW

HON REFEREE'S APPOINTMENTS SECRETARY

Fixture making has again provided many problems with Clubs cancelling fixtures, and the inclement weather which hit the County mid-way through the season did nothing to help the situation.

The past season has seen all four Divisional Championships very closely contested and many issues remained unresolved until final League games had been completed.

The principal honours have been won by Melksham Town who became League Champions. Amesbury Town became runners-up after leading the table for most of the season. Division 2 was the first section to be decided with Bradford Town taking the honours in a dominate manner. Malmesbury Victoria have achieved their ambition since rejoining the League as a Senior Club by gaining promotion as runners-up. The other Divisions proved equally exciting, and the main issues were Division 3 Champions National Semiconductor, who took the honours from Aldbourne Park Reserves. In Division 4 the newly elected Clubs all had a successful season with Ashton Keynes taking the title, closely followed by Raychem Sports and Social Club.

The Addkey Senior Knock-out CUp Competition proved interesting, with the final at Corsham Town's ground being won by Melksham Town who defeated Pinehurst by 4 goal to 1. The Fountain Trophies Junior cup was staged in the evening following the Senior Cup final at Corsham and this game resulted in a win for Melksham Town Reserves by 4 goal to 2 over National Semiconductor.

The Floodlit Cup was won by Trowbridge Town who defeated Amesbury Town 2 nil at CaIne.

Congratulations must be extended to Amesbury Town for winning the Wiltshire Senior Cup - this was an outstanding achievement.

P.M. COOK

HON. FIXTURE SECRETARY

In closing this report may I express sincere thanks to my fellow Officers and Management Committee members for giving me tremendous support when I needed it most. To all Club Secretaries, many thanks and I again plead for you all to give your Management Committee the fullest support possible during the ensuing 1994/95 season.

Best wishes for next season and may the League see further teams promoted under the Pyramid system.

PJ ACKRILL

HON.GENERAL SECRETARY