NWYFL Chairman Message:
Good Morning,
April 2016 NW League update:
I hope everyone is well and that you’re all enjoying what remains of the 2015/16 season.
Way back when the season first started we had intended writing regular season updates and newsletters. Like most good ideas though, it helps immensely if there is sufficient spare time available to implement them. As Autumn eventually turned into one of the rainiest winters on record and the league committee’s workload steadily increased, time simply ran out and we now all find ourselves busy organising end-of-season activities such as the Cup Finals, presentations and the AGM, all of which takes up more precious time. As fellow volunteers, I’m sure you all know the familiar feeling that there are never enough hours in the day!
The first important news to relay is that the NW League has finally received the compensation that was ordered by the Swindon High Court Judge under the Proceeds Of Crime Act.
As you’ll recall, Prictor and the Rivers’ were ordered to pay the league a combined sum of £38,565.70.
That money is now safely back where it should be – in a secure NW League bank account – and aside from a long-awaited clubs disclosure meeting that will outline how matters unfolded as they did at the time, and also how the crimes were committed, along with sight of some of the documentation used, receipt of the POCA funds effectively draws a welcome line under the saga.
As you’d expect, the management committee have some ideas on how the lump sum of POCA money should be used, and we’ll naturally want to discuss that with you when we all meet up next. I hope it goes without saying that the committee of course welcomes all ideas that clubs might have on that subject too, so please let us know what you’re thinking, preferably by email at the addresses that are listed on the website.
Last week saw the unfortunate resignation of Ant Farrar from the league committee due to the increasing pressure of work commitments. Ant has written a few words to you guys himself:
Dear league members,
Due to work commitments and health issues I regret to inform you a that I will have to step down from the North Wilts league.
It’s been a pleasure working with the committee and with the Clubs over the last 7 years even through some of the harder times. There have been a lot of changes other years and the league is in a very good place with a great committee who are committed to Grass roots football for all our players.
Regards Ant
On a personal note I’m really saddened at Ants departure. As many of you know, Ant has been around grass roots football for many years, both as a coach at Croft FC and in various NW League committee roles. He has been a much valued colleague and friend and I’ll be forever grateful that when things kicked-off a few years ago – and as many people involved in grass roots football locally conveniently ran for the hills – Ant, along with a few other notable exceptions, had the personal strength and character to look at all the facts, ignored the gossip and rhetoric and made his own mind up.
As well as helping to steady the ship at the time, Ant subsequently spent countless hours helping to unravel the fraud with a handful of NW League colleagues and the police, and has done some fantastic work as a fellow league officer since then.
I hope everyone joins me in thanking Ant for all his hard work on the NW League and I’m sure that you will join me in wishing him all the very best for the future.
Please contact darren.howell@nwyfl.co.uk, and craig.gorton@nwyfl.co.uk, for any secretarial matters in the meantime.
Some Diary Dates for you all:
May 21st / 22nd will see the return of our cup final competition at Swindon Town’s County Ground. We’re planning a fantastic weekend of football and we’re hoping that many of you will join us for what promises to be a great weekend for everyone.
The 2015/16 annual presentations will take place at MECA on Sunday July 3rd and it promises to be every bit as spectacular as last season’s event.
The Annual General meeting is planned for the evening of June 23rd – also at MECA where we plan to hold a club meeting immediately afterwards.
All the best,
Andy Ratcliffe
