Clubs told to respect referees

Bristol and Avon league secretary Gerry Witcombe has called on clubs to treat referees fairly at all times.

Speaking during the league's annual meeting at Shirehampton FC, Witcombe quoted from a national newspaper article, written after the fiery Chelsea-Barcelona Champions League semi-final, which stated that more than 7,000 referees would not be re-registering throughout the country this year, mainly because of bad behaviour.

"If we can get new officials we have to keep them, as well as those on our present list," said Witcombe, himself a former local league referee.

Referees' secretary Tony Lidbury took over as president from Jack Moody-Grant, after his two-year spell in office, Shaun Hawkings, of Wessex Wanderers, became minutes secretary and Bradley Stoke Town's Nick Potter was elected to the management committee.

The Bristol Premier Combination's new match secretary Kevin Wilkinson, of Greyfriars Athletic, was presented with the JK Curtis Memorial Trophy as top secretary, De Veys received the AJ Wookey Cup for efficiency and the Sportsman's Trophy went to newcomers Carmel United.

Champions Broad Walk Reserves, Mendip United Reserves and Redcliffe United have all left the league. FC Bristol and Iron Acton Reserves come in, leaving one vacancy left. Interested teams should contact Witcombe on 0117 9631674.

Mendip United Reserves were the winners of the Temple Colston Cup and Crown Parkway lifted the Jack Jenkins Memorial Trophy but Broad Walk Reserves did not turn up to collect their championship award and the players medals!

Officers re-elected: Peter McPherson (chairman), Gerry Witcombe (secretary), Jack Moody-Grant (treasurer), Dave Webb (fixtures secretary) Steve Saunders (registration secretary), Tony Lidbury (referees' secretary).