DUCHY LEAGUE AGM 2007 REPORT

The Duchy Football League held a rather subdued annual meeting at St Stephen Community Centre after hearing of the passing of their former secretary John Cudlipp two days earlier.

The meeting stood in silence to honour in his memory.

John was elected as fixture secretary in 1977 and then in 1982 took over as secretary. He held both positions until 1987 before relinquishing the fixtures role and remained as secretary until illness took its toll in 1999.

He remained on the committee until two years ago when he made his last appearance at the annual meeting.

John was a former player of Pelynt/Polperro, an officer of Pelynt FC and was an active referee as well as a Cornwall County FA councillor.

The present secretary, Mike Newcombe, praised his colleague in his speech and said this was not the time to bring up what is wrong with Cornish football.

He added that he was honoured to receive a county workforce award from the CCFA last season, but felt that it was poignant to share that award with his good friend and that "our thought's tonight should be with John's family".

Fines were again too high owing to poor administration and he reported on nine games which were not played as clubs failed to raise a side.

Newcombe thanked his fellow officers and management committee for their support and also league sponsors Bodmin Sports Trophies and Cup sponsors Jeffery's Estate Agents and Tidy Sites UK. He could not at this time confirm sponsorship deals for next season.

The secretary congratulated Bere Alston, Polperro and St Newlyn East for gaining promotion to senior football and wished them well. He further congratulated all the divisional champions and runners-up and cup winners.

St Dennis and Lamerton had reached respective county cup finals, but both unfortunately were beaten, and Newcombe did wonder with all the changes in local football, how long it would be before the league could celebrate a county champion.

Treasurer Phil Edworthy was able to give a healthy financial report with a £1,400 profit achieved through the season. He also remarked on the high level of fines, which contributed largely for the surplus and he thanked new auditors Blackwell Bate Clarke and Co.

Fixtures secretary Bill Wearne stepped down because of health problems, but all other officers were re-elected.

They were president, L J Lobb; chairman, P Stevens; vice chairman, C Burrell; secretary & registrations secretary, M J Newcombe; treasurer, P Edworthy; assistant secretary, C Atkins; transfer co-ordinator, P Collings.

Mr K Franks of Barnstaple was elected as fixture secretary on the recommendation of the management committee. The management members were re-elected.

With three teams having left to join the senior ranks, the secretary also reported that Callington Town and Newmoor Reserves had resigned from the league.

Since the last annual meeting Mary Tavy, who failed to start the season, and St Columb Major had also left the league.

There were three new applications from Premier Sixes, Mount Charles and St Breward Reserves. After addressing the member clubs all three were elected to the league.

In the case of Premier Sixes they plan to play on the artificial pitch at Newquay Tretherras School and are the first side elected into a Cornish 11-a-side league to be allowed to play on this type of surface as Duchy clubs again made an innovative move into the future.

The constitution for 2007/08 sees 14 clubs in each division from the premier to division three, with 13 clubs in division four and 12 in division five. Numerous clubs received promotions as a result of the changes.

President Len Lobb made presentations to the following:

Sporting Trophy winners, St Minver (premier), St Stephen (division one), Godolphin Atlantic (division two), Wadebridge Town (division three), St Newlyn East Reserves (division four). Stoke Climsland were not present to receive the division five award.

The Premier linesman of the year was Chris Osborne of Sticker and Class 7 Referee of the Year was Darren Bragg from Penwithick.

Secretary of the Year was accepted on behalf of Heidi Burgess, by the representative of Tintagel.

The new season will start on August 18 and run to May 31 if required.