This is the 25th Annual Report of the League and all I can say is 'what a season we have had'. Starting on the first day of the season, a fixture was lost due to a waterlogged pitch and this pattern continued throughout the year. The League fixture programme was interrupted at regular intervals through various reasons never heard of before. Besides all the rain that fell on the Country, we then had the petrol crisis, followed closely by some severe frosts and eventually the foot and mouth outbreak put many of our pitches out of commission for a period of time.

The Officers must be praised for their outstanding achievement in eventually completing the fixture programme after seeking an extension to the season. There were many Leagues to failed to achieve a conclusion and this would have been a disaster for the League, as no trophies could have been presented. It was extremely hard work for our Fixture Secretary, Phil Cook, in re-arranging the outstanding games, also Brian Busson the Referees Appointments Secretary who had to constantly amend the appointments list in order to seek additional officials for fixtures.

The Management Committee again held their meetings at the Pressed Steel Fisher Sports & Social Club, Swindon, where they were made most welcome by the Committee and staff. Representatives from the Management Committee have attended Joint Liaison Committee meetings at Taunton with the Screwfix Direct Western League and the Cherry Red Records Hellenic Football League at Highworth. These meeting proved very interesting from all aspects of the game. Biddestone Football Club again made an application to join the Hellenic League but failed to gain a promotion position, maybe next season will be their year.

Again, I can report that all sponsors have agreed to continue their sponsorship with the League. Skurrays Vauxhalls of Swindon will continue to sponsor the League. Derek Walker, Group Director of Skurrays is also giving £500.00 to the winners of the E.C. Mills Sportsmanship Trophy this season, a prize well worth winning for any Club. The cheque will be presented to the winners at the premises of Skurrays, after the lucky Club has been announced at the Annual General Meeting. This monetary sum was given to encourage sportsmanship and from the marks awarded by referees this season it seems to have been working, however, there is still room for greater improvement in this area.

Chris Perry and his Directors of Addkey Print Ltd of Corsham, again sponsored the successful Senior Knock-out Cup Competition. Chris has indicated he will continue to support the League next season. The Intermediate Knock-out Cup was supported by Chris Plaister ofPlaister Auto's. The Junior Knock-out Cup was financed by Fountain Trophies of Bristol, and our sincere thanks to Paul Sebastian for his sponsorship. The League purchases all the individual awards, that are presented to the Divisional winners and runners up from Fountain Trophies. Paul and his wife Denise always make the small delegation from the League most welcome when they visit the showroom to select the awards. I thank them both for the efficient manner in which the account is dealt with and for the standard of trophies provided. Mr Ken Clarke of Westernsport Trophies has donated the individual award for the Referees Appreciation Award. This season Peter Alexander of Cricklade will receive it at the Annual General Meeting. Peter's name has appeared in every League handbook published since the formation in 1976.

The representative team played the Wiltshire County Association's Under 21 team at Melksham in September and came away with a 3-2 win. The goals were scored by Tom Dingle (Wroughton), Rick Casey and Martin Smith from Stratton Crosslink FC. The annual fixture against the Dorset Combination was arranged to be played at Devizes in November, but this game fell foul of the atrocious weather that prevailed throughout the season. Sincere thanks are recorded to Stuart Withers who always does an excellent job as team manager.

This season, I think it is safe to say, has been the most difficult season since the League was formed in 1976. As we approach our Silver Jubilee next season and with celebrations in hand, I hope the elements prove much kinder. On top of the terrible weather, foot and mouth restrictions, for the first time we had to cope with a maximum number of teams (18) in the Premier Division. I cannot speak to highly of the Officers for their dedication and the additional work they had to cope with in completing the seasons fixtures. My thanks also goes to each Club for their co-operation in what has been a nightmare of a season.

On a brighter note my congratulations go to all the League champions and the League Cup winners. A special mention to Shrewton United on reaching the Wilts FA Senior Cup final also to Swindon Eagles and Sherston who contested the Wilts FA Junior Cup final, the later running out winners.

Sincere thanks to all our sponsors for their continued support which enables us to limit the rising costs to Clubs for administrating the League to a minimum.

In closing may I wish everyone a thoroughly deserved rest, a happy and successful season to come and hopefully less traumatic than the one just past.

D.C. Kilford

Chairman

Once again, I am pleased to present my Annual Report and Statement of Accounts for the year ending 31st March, 200 l. This is the seventeenth occasion on which I have been able to comment on the financial situation of your League and once again am pleased to report a surplus which this year is £1,179.53.

The circumstances relating to these accounts particularly regarding income however are considerably different than they were a few years ago when the League relied on receipts mainly from subscriptions, registrations, transfers and fines. Now we are very fortunate to be the beneficiaries of generous sponsorship from Skurrays Vauxhall together with support for our Cup competitions from Addkey Print Ltd, Plaister Auto's and Fountain Trophies. In addition, this year for the first time The Football Association has given us a grant of £1,000 towards the cost of administrating the League. Without such sponsorship of the League and Cup Competitions, a considerable loss would have occurred and although it is not intended to increase subscriptions this year, Clubs should bear in mind that without our sponsors a substantial increase in subscriptions and fees would be necessary.

Necessary expenditure for the efficient running of the League increased by about £500 whilst income from the sources of subscriptions etc mentioned in a previous paragraph above have dropped since last year by £1,000, and fines around £1,500 I think this puts into perspective the debt of gratitude we owe to our sponsors. Honoraria has now remained the same for four years and this year a small increase to Officers subject to League Members approval is being proposed.

The assets of the League amount to £13,810 including £3,500 reserved for our Silver Jubilee,celebrations which will take place during the coming season.

I should like to thank once again Mr Peter Mundy for reviewing the League accounts and record how fortunate the League is to be able to call on his expertise.

Finally as always my thanks to all Clubs Secretaries and Treasurers for their co-operation during the last season.

J.S. Northover

Hon. Treasurer

This has without a doubt been the most difficult season for the League since I took office in 1981. However, my job as ever, was made much easier by the continued co-operation from Club Secretaries during a very trying time for all concerned. My thanks as always to you.

Six 'Double Registrations' were discovered during the season; still too many! Finally, on a statistical note, 1,629 registrations were recorded but the total of just 43 transfers was the lowest since the League was formed.

Enjoy your well-earned summer break.

R.J.M. Wirdnam

Hon. Registration Secretary

As I sit down to write this report, it means that at last the end of this very trying season is here. The last month as been a very difficult time for me, with updated fixtures being issued every Monday. Lets hope for better weather next season (it could not be any worse could it). With the level of evening games being so high it as meant that quite a few fixtures have been short of officials. This in turn has meant that the percentage of games covered by officials is only 86%. Most of this is because over the last two weeks there has only been one or two officials on most Senior games. I would like to thank the teams for their assistance in these games.

Next season I will be trying to push to the level of cover back up into the mid nineties. This will be quite a hard job because even before next season starts I have lost more than twelve referees through promotions. I would like to thank these referees for their help in past seasons and wish them well in the future. I also wish to thank all the other referees who have done games for me this season and hope that they will be back again next season plus some new ones as well.

As you are all aware the numbers of referees is still falling and it is getting more difficult to cover games each season. So will clubs do all they can to look after the referees that we do have, so as to not to put them off refereeing.

Hope you all enjoy the closed season and I look forward to seeing you all next season.

B.L. Busson

Hon. Referees Appointments Secretary

This season the Hon. Fixture Secretary had to re-arrange 324 fixtures that were postponed for many reasons, some which had never occurred before such as the petrol crisis and foot and mouth disease. However, Phil stuck to his task and with the wonderful co-operation of the Clubs managed to complete the season, after having an extension to the season.

The Clubs that were successful in Cup Competitions had an enormous task come the end of the season, but in true Championship fashion they all survived and completed their programme. The Premier Division championship was not decided until the last day of the season. Cricklade Town clinched top spot with a draw against Melksham Town Reserves. Shrewton United finished the season in second position, after defeating Malmesbury Victoria Reserves, also on the last day. Devizes Town Reserves after heading the table for most of the season claimed third spot

The Intermediate Division was eventually won by Wanborough United, with Blunsdon United winning their last fixture to become runners-up. Burmah Castrol finishing in third spot after leading the way most of the season.

The first Divisional award to be decided was the Junior Division One, which Ashton Keynes won by six points from Wroughton Reserves, with Sherston in third spot. Ashton Keynes and Sherston have completed their ground improvements and will compete in the Intermediate Division next season, a step up the ladder for both the village clubs.

Competing in the League for the first time, Swindon Eagles clinched the Junior Division Two title with Wootton Bassett United in second position, and Bromham in third spot. All three will be promoted to Junior Division One next season.

Cricklade Town completed the double after winning the Addkey Senior Cup earlier in the season by defeating Devizes Town Reserves at Corsham Town's ground. The Fountain Trophies Junior Cup was played following the Senior Cup final and provided an exciting climax with penalties deciding the destiny of the trophy. Swindon Eagles eventually scoring with their last penalty kick to defeat Wootton Bassett United who has previously missed a penalty five minutes from normal time. The Plaister Auto's Intermediate Cup final played at Marlborough Town provided even more excitement for the large crowd, with both teams taking ten penalty kicks each. Wanborough United held their nerve against Blunsdon United and came away with the Cup. The Management Committee extend their sincere thanks to Corsham Town and Marlborough Town Football Clubs for placing their grounds at our disposal to stage the cup finals, and I can assure them it is greatly appreciated and we will be returning again next season.

The Wiltshire County Senior and Junior Cup competitions proved very successful for teams from our League. In the Wilts Senior Cup, the League provided three teams for the Semi-finals. Shrewton United competed in the final against Wootton Bassett Town and was very unlucky not to win this trophy after outplaying their opponents for most of the game. Sherston and Swindon Eagles gave the large crowd gathered at Chippenham Town's ground for the Wilts Junior cup final, something to shout about with an exciting game. Sherston took the Cup back to their Headquarters after a sterling performance. Congratulations to all other Clubs who have won trophies in local Cup Competitions .

Arrangements are well in hand for the League to celebrate its 25th Anniversary next season. A Dinner and Dance will be held on Friday 8th March, 2002, also it is intended to play two representative fixtures during the season. Clubs will be kept informed of all these events, which it is hoped will be well supported.

In closing this report, I sincerely hope we never have another season like the one just finished. Club Secretaries and Team Managers must be sincerely thanked for their co-operation and assistance during this very difficult season. The Management Committee realise what the Clubs were going through in trying to get all the fixtures played - but we did succeed. Many thanks to my fellow Officers and Management Committee Members, who have again supported me in a first class manner

Be warned next season commences on Saturday 18th August.

PJ ACKRILL

HON.GENERAL SECRETARY