AGM Booklet 2019

UNITED COUNTIES FOOTBALL LEAGUE

(A PRIVATE COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)

DIRECTORS’ REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2019

The directors present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 May 2019

Principal activities

The principal activity of the company continued to be that of administrator of all matters relating to the United Counties Football League.

Directors

The directors who held office during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were as follows:

J Weeks (Chairman)

(Resigned 1 December 2018)

A Poulain (Chairman)

I Hughes (Vice Chairman)

R Walker (Fixture Director)

W Newey (Company Secretary)

T Mitchell (Discipline Director)

Chairman’s report on behalf of the Directors

I start this report with the sadness we all must feel about the passing of our former Chairman for the past 15 years, John Weeks, in November 2018. His death was all very sudden and to us very unexpected. John had been on the committee for 30 years and his wisdom, resoluteness and friendship will be missed. I am sure, the League, its Officers, clubs and players will agree we have lost a gentleman who had the league in his heart and mind and we through this report pass our condolences and best wish- es to his family. Success and sadness come in many forms and once again the League season has concluded, with Division winners and runners up, but also relegation for clubs from the Premier and Division One. The season started with the 5th annual Groundhop at the end of July at which Sleaford Town, the two Wellingborough’s, Town and Whitworths from the Premier Division together with Raunds Town from Division One all benefited from increased spectator attendance and I hope we can continue this worthwhile and timely event. In FA Competitions, success was high, with the FA Cup many clubs entered but two of note progressed to the second-round qualifying, Rugby Town and Anstey Nomads. High praise for reaching that stage. In the FA Vase two clubs also worthy of high praise for reaching the fifth round proper, both only losing by one goal were Leicester Nirvana and Deeping Rangers. One club with a team in the FA Youth Cup reached the third round seeing off Coventry U18 on the way, was Cogenhoe Utd U18 eventually being knocked out by Crystal Palace, I would think there are some stars waiting to break into the 1st team if they have not already. Turning to our own Cup competitions the KiTmanUK Knockout trophy played on Bank Holiday Monday attracted nearly 350 spectators to Raunds Town, who watched a competitive match with Daventry Town triumphing over Holbeach United 3-1. The reserve final played at Desborough at the end of March saw Cogenhoe Reserves beat a young side from Deeping Rangers Reserves by the same score 3-1. We were indeed fortunate to have sponsorship from KiTmanUK, which was the first time in the League history for prize money to be given to winners and runners up in both finals. We sincerely thank KiTmanUK again for this sponsorship. Moving on to the Divisional competitions, congratulations go to the Champions and second place teams in each. The final outcome in all 3 divisions was only decided in the last week of the season, which goes to show how competitive the League has become. Daventry Town pipped Deeping Rangers in the Premier having been nip and tuck throughout. Winning the League added to the Cup gave Daventry the double trophy success. In Division one the same close finish was achieved between Lutterworth Town and Anstey Nomads with one-point separating the two clubs on the last day. It also took until the final day to separate Desborough Town Reserves and Yaxley Re- serves both winning their last games with the latter making a late surge to try to catch the eventual winners. Premier winners Daventry await the FA decision as to their league for next season, but wherever they go they do so with our best wishes for another successful season. Lutterworth Town and Anstey Nomads will take their places in the Premier Division and I am sure they will hold their own in that tough environment as Pinchbeck did by finishing fourth having been promoted from Division one the previous season. Since the finalisation of all league competitions there has been some reorganisations which also affected our League. With the promotion of Daventry Town and the relegations of Wellingborough Whitworths (to Div 1) and Kirby Muxloe (to Midlands League) we then lost Eynesbury Rovers and Newport Pagnell Town (to the Spartan South Mids. League). It was a disappointment to see these 2 well established clubs move but I do understand the reasoning behind these lateral transfers. I am sure you will join with me in wishing both teams the very best in their new surroundings. This now created 3 vacancies in the Premier Division, and these have been filled by a couple of clubs who have been with us previously, Quorn & Shepshed, together with Loughborough University who we welcome to the League and hope they enjoy a successful time with us. With promotions already agreed from Division 1 and a relegation of Thrapston we welcome new club Saffron Dynamos and a previous member, Whittlesey Athletic who have both been promoted from their respective Step 7 Leagues. Writing about sponsorship the League was very fortunate to receive Future Lions on a one-year deal to become the naming partner for the League having left our previ- ous sponsors late in proceedings. The deal ensured continuity whilst we searched for the next sponsor and we remain very grateful to Future Lions for their support, wish- ing them success in the future. During the season we lost just one team, St Andrews Reserves withdrawing through lack of players. I am a great advocate of Reserve team football and continue to sup- port this division as it will offer players transition into 1st teams which could not happen without them, so I was sorry to lose this team. I am led to believe we may have 2/3 new teams for the new season which all helps competition. In County Cups success for Deeping Rangers in Lincs Senior, overcoming Grimsby Borough on penalties in the final and to Melton Town just being edged out, again on penalties, to Heather St John in the Leics. & Rutland Senior Cup.

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