Having just completed the 23'd season since the formation in 1976 the Management Committee have already made provisional plans to celebrate its 25th Anniversary with a Dinner and Dance during February 2002.

Our loyal President Don Paget was in hospital for several weeks during the season, but I am glad to report he is making a steady recovery, and we all hope to see him on the platform to again formally open this seasons Annual General Meeting.

The League was restructured at the end of last season to accommodate the new Intermediate Status. The Premier Division was launched with 16 competing teams, and the Intermediate Division had 14 teams. The Junior section of the League was split into two Divisions which will allow promotion and relegation to operate.

After holding Management Committee meetings at the British Railway Sports Ground in Swindon for 19 years, the venue was changed to the Pressed Steel Sports & Social Club in Swindon, where all meetings are now held. Our sincere thanks to the Management Committee of the Club for allowing us the use of their Committee room. The League Management Committee has been made most welcome by the staff and it is greatly appreciated.

Again, this season meetings have been held at Taunton with the Joint Liaison Committee of the Screwfix Direct Western League and at Abingdon with the Complete Music Hellenic League. Unfortunately no applicant from this League qualified for promotion. Biddestone Football Club applied to join the Complete Music Hellenic League but failed to gain a promotion position at the end of the season by finishing in fifth position in the Premier Division.

Skurrays Vauxhall of Swindon and Marlborough continued to support the League with their sponsorship and Mr Derek Walker, Managing Director of Skurrays has indicated that this sponsorship will continue for next season. Addkey Print Ltd of Corsham again sponsored the Senior Knock out Cup Competition, so our gratitude to Chris Perry and his Directors for the continued support. Plaister Autos of Swindon sponsored the new Intermediate Knock out Cup Competition. Chris Plaister must be thanked for this sponsorship and this will continue as well next.season. Paul Sebastion of Fountain Trophies at Bristol continued sponsorship of the Junior Knock out Cup Competition and Paul has indicated sponsorship for next season. Mr Ken Clarke of Westerns port Trophies again donated the Referees Appreciation Award. This season the award will be presented to Phil Senior of Trowbridge. Phil has given many years of loyal service to the League and will collect the trophy of the Annual General Meeting. With all sponsorship agreements again in place for next season, the League is in a very fortunate position. Sincere thanks to all the sponsors and hope they will continue their association with the League for many years to come.

The representative team played the Annual fixture against the Dorset Combination at Warminster Town's ground, but unfortunately were defeated 2-0. Again, this season saw Team Manager Stuart Withers doing an excellent job in fielding a full side after many late declines and the non-appearance of players on the evening of the game. The busiest man on the evening must have been John Loftus the secretary of Warminster Town Football Club. Not only did he arrange everything for the League but was pulling pints behind the bar until it was discovered that an Assistant Referee had failed to arrive. After a cry for help to John, he fetched his kit and performed a first-class performance on the line during the game. Immediately the game was finished he was again seen behind the bar, plus several other duties as well- our sincere thanks to you John. Our Vice President Cathy Hill kindly sponsored the representative match, our grateful thanks for this kind deed.

As another season draws to a close, which saw a fundamental change to our structure. The introduction of an Intermediate Division, which not only have provided a place for some Senior teams who cannot at present achieve Senior Status. It also provides a stepping stone to senior football for our Junior clubs.

I am pleased to say Plaister Auto's have offered to sponsor the Intermediate Cup Competition. On the point of sponsorship may I extend my thanks to all our sponsors for their continued support.

Congratulations to all our Cup and League winners, in a season which has produced some very close finishes. My thanks as always go to the Officers and Management Committee for their hard work during the season, and the support they have given me. In particular I must single out our Secretary, Pete Ackrill for his work and dedication to the League.

In closing may I thank all Clubs for their co-operation through the season and wish everyone an enjoyable and successful season next year.

D.C. Kilford

Chairman

This is my 15th Annual Report on the financial situation of the League and this year the surplus for the year ending 31st March, 1999 is £1,287 which was £1,142 more than last year.

The administration cost of running the League was similar to last year but an additional expense was incurred by the refurbishment of some of our trophies, which were in rather a poor condition in the sum of £232.

Income increased substantially mainly because of increased entrance fees of £280, Annual Subscriptions of £780, fines of £133 and Registration and Transfer fees of £80. The surplus is of course about £100 less that than the sum received in sponsorship from Skurrays Vauxhall and without such sponsorship a loss would have been made. The League is indeed very grateful to our sponsors for their continued support.

Honoraria was approved at the level shown in the accounts two years ago and the Management Committee do not consider it appropriate to ask for an increase this year.

Once again, our Cup competitions were generously supported by Addkey Print Ltd, Plaister Autos, Fountain Trophies and Mr Ken Clarke of Westerns port Trophies kindly donated the Referees Award.

These accounts have been reviewed by Mr Peter Mundy and the Management Committee is most grateful to him for carrying out the task once again and also for the helpful advice given.

Finally once again thanks to all Club Secretaries and Treasurers for their co-operation during the past season.

J.S. Northover

Hon. Treasurer

This season completes my 17th and again it has gone by very quickly indeed.

There were very few problems but some Clubs still are reluctant to provide a Stamped Addressed Envelope for return of completed Registration slips and transfers (as per Rule). This is the only way you can be sure that all your players are correctly registered!

Total registration (1,730) and transfers (63) showed an increase from last season's low figures.

My thanks to all who sent cards and best wishes following my operation and subsequent recovery last year.

Enjoy a good summer break

R.J.M. Wirdnam

Hon. Registration Secretary

The end of the season is upon us again. This being the first season with the new format. With the Premier, Intermediate and two Junior Divisions, I had to find more officials than last season. The total number of appointments required was 1,546 and 1,385 was filled, which left a shortfall of 161, which equals to 90% coverage, down on last season . The low percentage is mainly due to three weeks when we were about ten officials short. Most weeks there was a shortage of just two or three officials. Since the end of January it has started to improve a little, with quite a few weeks fully covered. This again gave me chance to visit some clubs and see officials operating at games. When you take into account that this season, the League needed an increase of around 9 officials per week just to maintain the level of last season. I am satisfied with the end figures.

The League used 50 Class ones, 29 Class twos and 22 Class three referees making a total of 101 officials, which is also down on the previous season. When you compare this to the 1993/1994 season when 1,660 appointments were made, and 1,621 filled using 69 Class ones, 37 Class twos and 36 Class 3, making a total of 143 officials.

It is going to be just as difficult next season, because already quite a few of the Class two referees have been promoted to Class one, and will be moving on to other Leagues to forward their refereeing career. During the closed season I will be trying to recruit more Class two and three referees so that I can improve the percentage of games with the full accompaniment of officials.

B.L. Busson

Hon. Referees Appointments Secretary

With 178 fixtures lost during the season through weather conditions, outside cup competitions and the inability of teams to field a side, the Fixture Secretary Phil Cook still managed to get the fixture programme completed by the date agreed at last year’s Annual General Meeting.

The Premier Division proved exciting right until the last week when Raychem Mowlem finally emerged as champions with Shrewton United in the runner-up spot. Raychem Mowlem clinched the title after midweek victories over Melksham Town Reserves and the team that eventually finished in third spot, Cricklade Town. Malmesbury Victoria finished in fourth position, with Biddestone fifth.

The new Intermediate Division which also went to the wire, before Down Ampney emerged as champions. Second spot was not decided until the last Saturday of the season when Aldbourne defeated Mitel to become runners-up which left Mitel in third position.

Cricklade Town Reserves made up for their senior side's disappointment by winning the Junior Division 1 title from Malmesbury Victoria Reserves who finished runners-up West Swindon enjoyed a good season finishing one point behind Malmesbury Victoria Reserves in third position, closely followed by Ashton Keynes in fourth.

Westside United in their first season in the League proved too strong for most of their rivals in Junior Division 2 and won the title by 9 points. Ferndale Rodbourne claimed the runners-up shield with another new club Shaw in third spot.

The Addkey Senior Cup final played at Corsham Town Football Club was a repeat of last season’s final. The score this season was more evenly matched, with Shrewton United beating Cricklade Town 2-1. The Plaister Auto's Intennediate Cup final between Mitel and Southbrook took some separating. With the scores level 2-2 at the end of extra time, penalty kicks decided the tie. After 14 penalty kicks and not one missed, the scores were still level. Then the Southbrook goalkeeper made an excellent' save to allow his team to get their hands on the new cup. Southbrook eventually winning 8 - 7 on penalties. Westside United completed the double by winning the Fountains Trophies Junior Cup in an exciting final by beating Box Rovers 3 - 2 after extra time.

Many congratulations to all Member Clubs who reached County or local Cup finals most of these are for Charity and keeps the funds active for worthwhile causes.

Sincere thanks to League Officers and Management Committee, who again supported me most strongly during a very hectic season. To Club Secretaries for their co-operation with other League Officers and myself - again we all thank you.

Wishing everyone connected with the League, a restful summer break and come back full of vigour and enthusiasm.

PJ ACKRILL

HON.GENERAL SECRETARY