AGM Booklet 2019

UNITED COUNTIES FOOTBALL LEAGUE

(A PRIVATE COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)

DIRECTORS REPORT CONTIUNED

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2019

We had to deal with the threat of a withdrawal from the Premier Division by Oadby Town. Lack of continuity, committee volunteers etc seemed to be the reasons given, but we were pleased that at least they did complete the season. The playing season, unlike the previous, did not have the same weather problems and with the new method, agreed by the clubs, all this helped out Fixture Director, Roger Walker, complete the season on time with few complaints. I pay tribute to Roger for this difficult and often unrewarding task and for all his help in constitutional matters. Thanks go also to our Referee and Observer appointing team of Simon Cheney, Mike Hair and Roger Coxhead. There is job you wouldn’t get me to do, thankless or what. Behind the scenes, often not seen but always available on the telephone, are our office team brilliantly led by our League Secretary Wendy Newey whose help in the transition since I took on the Chairman’s role has been nothing short of invaluable. My sincere thanks go to her but also to the team in the office in Peterborough. My Board and committee continue to work and assist unerringly without whom the League would be poorer. Thank you to them also. So, what about the future. There are changes afoot with the FA seeking to restructure leagues in Step 5 and 6 at the end of next season. I wish I had a crystal ball and could see how it will affect our League but all we can do is make a special effort at the interviews, we may be invited to, to increase our League by maybe 1 or possibly 2 divisions. Again, we may know by the time you read this report. We were unsuccessful in our bid to add a step 4 division recently due to the Northern Premier Leagues experience at that level being offered the opportunity to run this new League. However, on 20th May we attended a further interview with the FA for an additional Step 5 League and we reapplied for our Step 6 Division albeit in 2 areas. We will know more on this by the AGM. We hope we will be successful. We have a new headline League sponsor for the next 3 seasons UHLSPORT which will be facilitated by KiTmanUK. John and I worked on and it was a shame that he did not see it come to fruition as his was the major contribution. The benefit to clubs will be availability of discounted sports kits, sports equipment bag and finance to the League to assist with our work. I have also added partners, Sports Ground Development, Ritelite and Fleetline details available on our new League website at www.theucl.co.uk In 2020 we achieve our 125th anniversary. Details will be available through the course of the season but a date for your diary is 4th May 2020 which will be the celebra- tion day. Already planned is a football match between an FA Representative X1 and a UCL X1. In closing, I offer best wishes, success without the sadness for the new season. I look forward to meeting up with you around the circuit but more importantly I want you to be able to pick up the phone to me. Don’t wonder about issues, ask me, and if I do not know the answer I commit to finding out and calling you back.

This report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies entitled to the small companies’ exemption.

On behalf of the board

Alan Poulain (Chairman) Director

3 June 2019

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