New recruits for Bristol & District League elected

CARMEL United. Bristol Deaf and Cesson were the new clubs elected to Division Six of the District League during the AGM at the Memorial Stadium.

Coalpit Heath will be known as Lloydy Coalpit in Division Two and Oakland changed the name of their clubs two teams to Yate Athletic in Division Three and Division Six, while Miners have dropped Rangers from their title, because their sponsor is a Celtic supporter.

General secretary Vernon Windell stated that the league would prefer to receive correspondence, including team sheets, from clubs by email, which will be handled by new administration secretary Andy Sedgemore.

Match secretary Terry Upton thanked club secretaries for their co-operation in completing the fixture list at the end of April and referees secretary Mike Smardon reported that a total of 90 officials will be available for next season.

This would include 12 youth referees and two women and he urged clubs to give encouragement to these newcomers to the list.

Shirehampton secretary John Gazzard was presented with the EG Neal Trophy for efficiency by League chairman Pat Sice and young Adam Wilson picked up a special award for his progress as a referee.

Mike Brown, of St Pancras, received a GFA 21-year long service trophy, having acted as doorman for much of that time, while Vernon Windell and Tony Stone became vice-presidents.

Iron Acton Reserves pipped Cribbs Friends Life Reserves for the new Respect award, based on marks awarded by referees for sportsmanship, hospitality and efficiency.

Officers re-elected: president Ken Fry, chairman Pat Sice, secretary Vernon Windell, treasurer Tony Stone, match secretary Terry Upton, referees' secretary Mike Smardon, registration secretary Ray Bean, disciplinary secretary Ralph Pratten, minutes secretary Fred Richards.

Ben Thomas, of Patchway North End, was elected to the management committee to replace Talbot Knowle's Mark Dite, who resigned because of business commitments.

Also on the committee are Mike Brown, Jeff Bryant, Geoff Endicott, Mike Fox, Martin Gill, Rob Hetherington, Roger Hudd, Phil Martin, Stuart Parkman, Andy Phipps, Vic Powell, Keith Swift, Lawrence Walker and referees' representative Andy Sedgemore.

The annual meetings of two local football leagues will be held this week, starting with the Suburban League's meeting which takes place at the Begbrook and Stapleton Club, Frenchay Park Road tonight, followed by the Downs' League gathering at Bristol Manor Farm, Portway on Wednesday.

Broadlands have resigned from the District League because of administrative problems, after completing a Division Six and GFA Primary Cup winning double last season.

The Regional Sunday League have one vacancy for next season.

Please contact Roger Pullin on 07774 972617 for further details.

Nicholas Wanderers need goalkeepers for their Bristol Premier Combination and District League senior teams.

For further information call either Dean Birkby on 07971 134 931 or Steve Worrall on 07815 775112.