AFTER a long, drawn-out season, the Bromsgrove Advertiser/Messenger District Football League staged its presentation night at the Catshill Working Men's Club last Tuesday.

Before the awards were announced the league held its annual general meeting to determine the league constitution and amendments to rules for next season.

Here's what happened:

IT would be fair to say the Bromsgrove football league has suffered this season.

At the end of October, the league's general secretary, fixture secretary and press relations officer, Peter Townsend, was arrested for a ferocious attack on his estranged wife and step-daughter with a baseball bat. He was jailed last month for ten years.

His arrest left the league in temporary disarray, Townsend having taken on much of the responsibility for the league single-handed.

But worse was to come. A winter of discontent followed, and bad weather hit the fixture list hard, with some teams forced to play up to five games a week towards the end of the season in a bid to complete their league programme.

Sadly, despite 32 night games, the league reported that not all fixtures were fulfiled, with some teams having to agree to goal-less draws without a ball being kicked.

In a bid to alleviate potential fixture congestion next season, it was agreed that teams should play two fixtures, one home and one away, on any two midweek evenings between the opening Sunday of the season and the sixth Sunday of the season.

Teams with reserve sides, such as Alvechurch Darts and Barley Mow, were told of a rule change which was questioned by some. It stated that once a player has played five games for either side, they are deemed to be a player for that side. He may only play a maximum of five games for the other side without an internal transfer.

One of those reserve sides, Barley Mow, was reported to have stated their desire not to be promoted to Division One for the 2000-2001 season.

Promotion

Mow were set for promotion from Division Two along with the four other highest place finisher's in that league: Bromsgrove Town, Victoria Barnt Green, Crabmill and New Olympic. This would have given the top flight an 11-team division for next season, following Nailers Arms, Rubery Redstar and Mapplebo-rough Green's resignation from the league.

The league constitution will be finalised at the next meeting on Tuesday July 17, which creates a dilemma for league officials who had already agreed on a three-division system, plus the youth league, for next season. It means the league may revert back to four divisions.

There were also several presentations on the night. These included the recipients of the divisional trophies and cup competitions (pictured right) as well as a number of individual awards.

The league's vice-chairman and assistant fixture secretary, Dave Hewitt, was honoured for his hard work this season. Dave took over a vast amount of responsibility in the light of Townsend's arrest, often receiving 40 phone calls a night and making 30 calls.

Keith Woodfield was honoured after retiring as league president following a 30-year association with the league. He is replaced by Arthur Smith, a former referee, who has been involved in the league for years.

Awards: Secretary of the year: James Flynn (Victoria Barnt Green), John Moss (Forest Falcons, Youth Division); Referee of the year: Mick Cunningham; Sports merit trophy: Castle/Alvechurch Darts Reserves.

The 2001-2002 season starts on Sunday August 19.

by CHRIS VAUGHAN

chrisv@newsquestmidlands.co.uk