Welcome from the Chairman 2024/25
TIMPERLEY & DISTRICT JUNIOR FOOTBALL LEAGUE FOREWORD and WELCOME
A very warm welcome to the new teams joining the League for the coming season, we hope you all have a very enjoyable and rewarding season of football in 2024/25.
Last season proved to be difficult in terms of the weather and we are hoping that the coming season will show a marked improvement. Many games had to be postponed which gave the divisional secretaries major problems in having to rearrange, so much so that the season had to be extended a further month to complete both the league and cup programmes. However, we were able to complete a full league and cup programme.
Misconducts improved, however, we still had too many to report and deal with. County Associations are now taking a much firmer approach when dealing with these, with heavier fines and suspensions for the perpetrators.
Team numbers for the 24/25 season are extremely good and healthy, therefore, we are once again looking at a competitive season with strong divisions across all the age groups.
The main Cup competitions last season for the U9 to U12 groups were held at Trafford FC, Carla Parker again did the organisation for the finals ably supported by Lee Stewart. Once again, a brilliant showpiece for the League and the many supporters who attended. I thank Carla and Lee for their outstanding work and Trafford FC most sincerely for their hospitality and use of the ground.
The 2023/24 cup competitions for the U13 to Youth were held at several venues, Trafford FC, Flixton FC, Lymm Rovers all weather facility and Macclesfield FC. Regretfully we could not use Mersey Valley this time as the weather had played havoc with their pitches. Again, my thanks to the Clubs and the League Officers who were in attendance.
The League ran seventy plus finals in the U9 to Youth groups and I think I can say that all the participating teams and supporters enjoyed their final experience.
The League Competitions at all age groups was extremely competitive and some Champions and Runners Up only decided late on in the season, which means we have the teams competing in the correct divisions which is a good reflection on the way the divisional secretaries work. So well done to them.
There appeared to be a good spread of honours across both the cup and league competitions, and I welcome that, as this makes for good competition across the board, however, there were a number of teams who achieved both league and cup doubles and I congratulate them.
Powerleague once again gave our U7 and U8 players the opportunity to participate in a friendly well organised festival Andy Gorman once again led the way organising teams, fixtures and pitches and I know everyone thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The 24/25 fixtures kick off later in September.
We are moving into our 16th Season as an FA Accredited League (Charter Standard)
I once again thank all our member Clubs for your continuing support and commitment it has been a difficult season in some respects but please remember decisions are made by Council for the wellbeing of all.
The members of Council and Management Committee continue to work tirelessly on your behalf with some doing more than their fair share owing to the lack of divisional secretaries last season, I’m delighted that Steve Mackinnon has joined the league and Colin Acton has agreed to run one of the Divisions this virtually completes the age group quota in addition Sam Raper has kindly agreed to take on the Treasurer role. We are obviously delighted that the Council positions are now complete.
Stuart Liston our referee secretary recently reported that numbers were as expected at this particular time of the year. However, he does expect more referees to sign up before the season starts. We have several new young referees coming on board this new season and it is vital that they are given the opportunity to find their feet in the League. Please make them welcome at your Club and treat them with the respect they will need during their first season.
The latest League initiative of forming three working committees will address the following areas, 1) Football/League Development, 2) Financial stability and 3) Governance and Legal Systems.
Lead member of the Development Committee is Gary Carr (Broadheath Central), along with Mike Ripley (Timperley FC) and Brian Fletcher (Asst League Secretary)
Lead member of the Finance Committee is Steve Sadler (Timperley Villa) along with Andy Gorman (League General Secretary) Sam Raper (Alderley United and League Treasurer).
Lead Member of the Governance Committee is Owen Hargreaves (League Divisional Secretary) along with Sefton Kwaznik (South Manchester Sports)
The introduction of these working committees will take the League forward and establish it as once again a leading grassroots League for many years to come.
We look forward to once again working with all our member Clubs and hope you all have a very enjoyable and successful Season.
John Burnett, Chair
