1999-2000 SEASON

 

Jim Donohue from the South Manchester club was elected President for the season. The Management Committee was subject to a number of changes following the resignations of, Mike Foxall, Dave Kinder, Bob Holt and Malcolm Carr. Mike Ramsden joined Committee together with Gordon Sutton. Following his year in the presidential office, John Melia took on the Vice -Chairman’s role, with Graham Smith becoming full-time Referees’ Secretary allowing Keith Marsden to devote his energies to the Chairman’s duties. Ged Lee was co- opted onto the Inter League Selection Committee. Bob Leech was in receipt of the Football Association’s fifty-year Long Service Award. The death of Geoff Wolfenden was reported with regret.

 

Committee had researched the prospect of forming a youth division, which failed to materialize due to lack of interest. Whilst there were more younger players registered in the League and the minimum age for playing in open age football was then fourteen, clubs were looking to recruit these younger players and introduce them to open age football in the League’s lower divisions this resulted in the addition a of new Division ‘G’, there being forty teams competing in the four lower divisions making a competition of one hundred and twenty teams a record for the League.

 

A veterans’ tournament was arranged at the end of the season which was won by Bedians. The League introduced a new award for the club with the best disciplinary record and West Didsbury were the first winners of the ‘Fair Play Award’.

 

Alexander Drew changed their name to Rochdalians and Irlam and Cadishead Albion to Irlam Steel. Burnage HSOB was accepted into membership and Oldham College resigned. Aldermere and Irlam Steel were re-elected. Disley and West Didsbury were relegated from the First Division with Dukinfield Amateurs and Mellor dropping from the Second Division. Old Trafford Juniors were accepted and allocated a place in Division ‘F’ following their request to join the League early in the year.

 

Hollingworth achieved a clean sweep of trophies by winning the Third Division from Oldham Teachers, Division ‘C’ from Mellor and the Aggregate Trophy.

 

Rochdalians stopped Bedians from retaining the First Division championship and Bedians were again deprived from winning the Division ‘A’ by Old Ashtonians, who continued where they left off last season by retaining Division ‘F’ from Cheadle Hulme resulting in three wins in successive seasons in this division. They also retained the Whitehead Cup from Old Standians and won the Rhodes Cup for the first time against Rochdalians.

 

Old Standians did have more success in retaining Division ‘E’ from Oldham Albion, the new Division ‘G’ from Cheadle Hulme and to crown their season their Fifth XI defeated the Fourth XI in the Hellawell Shield Final.

 

Wardle achieved First Division status by winning the Second Division from Metro and Denton Town won Division ‘B’ from Burnage HSOB. The division ‘D’ title went to Hazel Grove from Bedians, who won the Wray Cup Final from Heywood Town.

 

2000-01 SEASON

 

George Dearsley, the Mellor Chairman was elected President for the season. Peter Doyle a registered referee with the League was invited onto Committee to assist with ground inspections. The death of Harold Croft was noted with regret.

 

Old Stretfordians were asked to leave their ground at Carrington, which was to be used by Manchester City for training purposes. Moss Amateurs, Newton Heath and Salford Victoria successfully applied for membership. Dukinfield Amateurs and Flixton Town resigned at the start of the season resulting in Flixton ending a sixty-two-year association with the League. Stretford Victoria also resigned. Mellor were re-elected. Newton and Gatley were relegated to the Second Division and Old Stretfordians and Clarksfield St. Edwards went down to the Third.

 

Clubs were now able to declare five substitutes from which three may be used in the game.

 

The league programme suffered through adverse weather during the season resulting in the cancellation of all cup competitions and the Inter League programme.

 

Heaton Mersey won the Aggregate Trophy for the first time following their success in the Second Division with Beechfield United finishing runners-up. Heywood Town won the First Division title for the first time. Old Ashtonians were runners-up.

 

The Third Division went to Moss Amateurs in their first season, with St. Margaret Mary’s runners-up.

 

Denton Town won the Division ‘A’ title from Rochdalians and Hollingworth took Division ‘B’ from Moston Brook HSOB. The village of Hollingworth experienced further success with the Old Boys winning the Division ‘C’. Division ‘D’ was won by Oldham Albion from Old Stoconians and Division ‘E’ went Romiley’s way with Old Trafford taking the runners-up spot. Cheadle Hulme finished off the honours with the Division ‘F’ title from Bedians.

 

2001-02 SEASON

 

Geoff Gable the Chairman of Denton Town was elected President for the season. Harry Jack was invited to join the Management Committee. Harry was an active referee registered with the League, and he took the number of active or retired referees on committee to seven. Keith Trelfa was elected to the Lancashire FA Council as was Mike Ramsden to the Manchester FA. It was recorded with regret that James Dean, who had been secretary of Droylsden Amateurs since their formation in 1948, had died.

 

To alleviate ground shortages, the League hired the Mellands Playing Field facility for clubs and six were able to take advantage. Thanks were extended to Russell Hoyte of Metro who had set up a League web site, which he hoped to be able to develop to promote the League.

 

Spurley Hey were accepted into membership together with a late application from Trinity Platt, which was accepted but regrettable as the club only lasted one season. Irlam Steel and Parrswood Celtic were re-elected and South Manchester relegated from the First Division with Aldermere and Gatley relegated from the Second Division.

 

Heywood Town represented the League in a North West Inter League Alliance cup competition playing games under floodlights. They were assisted by players from Old Ashtonians and Rochdalians and defeated the Liverpool County Combination in the Final. Unfortunately, the competition was not continued in future seasons.

 

Moss Amateurs showed their true ability by winning the Aggregate Trophy, the Second Division title from Beechfield United and the Rhodes Cup from Rochdalians. Their Second XI finished runners-up to Heaton Mersey in Division ‘C’ though the Mersey First XI won the First Division from Denton Town.

 

Old Stretfordians won the Third Division from Droylsden Amateurs and Denton Town retained Division ‘A’ from Bedians, who were runners-up to Old Trafford in the Wray Cup though they were more successful in Division ‘D’ winning the title from Hooley Bridge Celtic, which club won the Whitehead Cup from Wardle and Division ‘B’ from Hollingworth Old Boys.

 

Wardle were more successful in Division ‘E’ winning from Old Chorltonians. Old Trafford achieved the double with the Wray Cup and Division ‘F’ from Clarksfield St. Edwards. The Hellawell Shield was won by Moston Brook HSOB from Old Stoconians.

 

2002-03 SEASON

 

Maurice Stanley the long serving player of Old Ashtonians and committee member was elected President for the season. Graham Smith and George Milburn resigned from Committee leaving the Chairman, Keith Marsden to return to the role of Referees’ Appointments Secretary. Geoff Gable completed his year in presidential office and offered his services to Committee, which were accepted and was joined by Roy Conner from Mellor (later of Govan Athletic).  It was recorded with regret the death of past President, Ray Plunkett. A minute’s silence was observed in all games on the 2nd November in memory of seventeen-year-old Mark Pover of Newton FC, who had tragically died during a League game in October.

 

Applications to join the League were received and accepted from Govan Athletic and Fletcher Moss. Trinity Platt and Hollingworth were unable to continue due to player shortage. Metro and Burnage HSOB merged clubs basing their operations at the excellent Didsbury Sports Ground. Salford Victoria and Irlam Steel were re-elected. Metro and Old Standians were relegated from the First Division with Moston Brook OB going down from the Second Division.

 

Rochdalians topped the honours list emulating their efforts in the 1996-97 season by winning the Aggregate Trophy, the First Division from Moss Amateurs, the Division ‘A’ from Burnage Metro and the Wray Cup from Old Ashtonians.

 

Old Standians won the Second Division from South Manchester and Fletcher Moss won their first trophy taking the Third Division from Mellor. Old Trafford continued their successful start becoming champions of Division ‘B’ from Moss Amateurs.

 

Spurley Hey collected their first trophy in Division ‘C’ from Gatley, who were champions of Division ‘D’ from Burnage Metro, who were themselves successful in Division ‘E’ taking the title from Old Stretfordians.

 

Division ‘F’ was won by Salford Victoria from Bedians. The Rhodes Cup Final was won by Hazel Grove for the first time from Oldham Albion, the Whitehead Cup went to Aldermere from Old Ashtonians and the Hellawell Shield final saw Burnage Metro overcome Old Standians to give the newly merged club a good start in adding their names to trophies.

 

The Veterans Cup was competed for again with Old Ashtonians lasting the pace better than West Didsbury in the Final. Salford Beechfield United were beaten in the final of the Manchester FA Amateur Cup and Mellor lost out in the Final of the Stockport FA Senior Cup.

 

2003-04 SEASON

 

Rob Turley, the chairman of West Didsbury and Chorlton, the driving force behind the building of the club’s new facility at Chorltonville was elected President for the season. Richard Rawsthorne was elected to be Referees’ Appointments Secretary, releasing the Chairman again to concentrate on his duties. Keith Trelfa was re-elected to the council of the Lancashire FA. It was reported with regret the death of past President and committee member George Milburn

 

Oldham Teachers were struggling to survive and joined with Clarksfield St. Edwards helping to form a Third XI. West Didsbury added the name ‘Chorlton’ to their title and Abacus Media, AFC Bury and Eagle were elected members. Wardle, Moss Amateurs and Old Standians resigned and as a result there was no relegation from the First Division and only Romiley were relegated from the Second. Aldermere and Parrswood were re-elected. Disley resigned from the League during the season.

 

The League’s divisional structure was re-named for the new season with the First Division becoming the Premier Division, all other divisions remaining unaltered. It was hoped that the introduction of specific ground requirements for entry into the Premier Division would result in improved standards both on and off the field. The Football Association were now issuing ‘Charter Standard’ awards to clubs able to satisfy the authorities that they met certain laid down standards. There were various levels of the award and clubs within the League were applying for recognition under the scheme.

 

Old Stretfordians were the winners of the Aggregate Trophy, and they had to go as far back as 1936 for the last occasion they had their name on this trophy. They also won the Division ‘B’ title from Spurley Hey and the Veterans’ Cup with Old Ashtonians runners-up.

 

Heaton Mersey were the Premier Division winners from Hazel Grove and Newton Heath won the Second Division from Mellor while Old Trafford were the Third Division champions from Eagle FC.

 

After their all-conquering efforts last season, Rochdalians were only able to retain the Division ‘A’ championship from Denton Town and their Second XI missed out on the double losing to Spurley Hey in the Wray Cup Final.

 

The Division ‘C’ title went to Fletcher Moss from Eagle FC, which club had experienced a fine first season in the League with promotion for both teams.

 

Salford Victoria proved to be the most consistent club in the lower divisions with wins in Division ‘E’ from Burnage Metro, retained Division ‘F’ from Cheadle Hulme and the Hellawell Shield from Mellor. They missed out on a clean sweep in the Whitehead Cup Final losing out to Romiley.

 

Bedians were the Division ‘D’ champions from West Didsbury and Hazel Grove’s First XI finished in the runners-up spot again this time in the Rhodes Cup Final to Salford Beechfield United. Hazel Grove were the winners of the Stockport FA Senior Cup in an all-L&C Final against Mellor.

 

2004-05 SEASON

 

Ian Muir was elected President for the season in recognition for his services to the Bedians club and the Inter League team. The death of Eric Wilkinson was recorded with regret. Eric had served the Old Standians club and the League both on the field of play and as an administrator for many years, his career spanning the decades on either side of the Second World War. There were no changes in personnel on the Management Committee, until the December meeting when Peter Howarth announced he would be forced to retire from the post of Secretary due to ill health. Peter had served on committee for twenty-nine years and was Secretary for sixteen of those years. Committee acknowledged Peter’s loyalty, hard work and dedication to the League over this long period.

 

Membership of the League saw new members in Norris Villa SM, Whalley Range (returning after a seventeen-year absence), Old Standians (another returning club after only one year’s absence), Dukinfield Amateurs (who unfortunately resigned before the end of the season), Dukinfield Lime Street SC and Marple Villa. Romiley and Clarksfield St. Edwards were re-elected.

 

Cheadle Hulme and Old Chorltonians were relegated from the First Division and Fletcher Moss Rangers from the Second Division. The number of teams in the League totalled one hundred and seventeen. It was agreed that the minimum age of players in the League would be sixteen at the start of the new season.

 

The Committee was concerned that football at grassroots level was being ignored by the authorities and Leagues at our level were not deemed to be a part of the overall picture of football below level 7. Meetings were arranged with the LAL and a working committee called the Amateur Football Campaign was formed and the concerns were discussed with other Leagues in the hope of receiving support for a collective voice in tackling the Football Association, with whom meetings were arranged, but regrettably without tangible results. A structural review of the workings of the FA was being undertaken by Lord Burns and only time would determine whether football at grass roots would benefit.

 

In only their second year’s membership, Abacus Media were Aggregate Trophy winners as well as Second Division champions from Burnage Metro, both setting down a challenge to the teams in the Premier Division. Heaton Mersey retained the Premier Division title from Salford Beechfield, who were runners-up to Denton Town in the Wray Cup Final.

 

Denton Town’s Third XI also achieved the double winning Division ‘D’ from Salford Victoria and taking the Whitehead Cup from Burnage Metro, who did manage success in the Hellawell Shield winning the Final from Mellor and the Veteran’s Cup from Bedians.

 

Rochdalians retained Division ‘A’ from Old Ashtonians, Division ‘B’ went to Hazel Grove from Old Stoconians and Norris Villa won their first trophy in their first season taking Division ‘C’ from Newton Heath. Oldham Albion won the Rhodes Cup for the first time depriving Old Ashtonians of their second win.

 

Mellor were the Division ‘E’ champions from Whalley Range and West Didsbury in winning Division ‘F’ from Irlam Steel acquired their first trophy for fifteen years. Mellor were the only club to achieve success in county cup competitions winning the Stockport FA Senior Cup in an all-L&C affair against Spurley Hey. Salford Victoria were losing finalists in the Manchester FA Amateur Cup.

 

2005-06 SEASON

 

Committee was thankful to hear of the improving health of Peter Howarth, and he was invited to be President for the season, which offer was accepted. At the end of season Presentation Dinner, the President was able to wear a medallion which was presented to the League by the family of the late Arthur Coleman, past President of the League and long serving member of the Aldermere club. The President was also presented with the League’s first life vice-presidency title. The death of Norman Costin in October was recorded with regret. Norman had given twenty-five years’ service to Committee retiring in 1991. John Melia stood down from Committee and the Vice-Chairman’s post was not filled. Maurice Stanley and Roy Conner resigned from Committee and Dave Brown was recruited to help with referee marks and John Rees with registrations. John Howard became the League Secretary.

 

The contract for the hire of pitches at Mellands was terminated due to deteriorating conditions at the facility.

 

Following the change in title of the First Division to Premier, the Second and Third Divisions were changed to First and Second respectively. There was now a movement of teams in Divisions ‘D’ and ‘E’ into the higher reserve divisions to help to bring a more competitive game of football for the more successful teams.

 

Russell Hoyte was further developing the League website which now included the fixture lists and referee appointments. Thanks to the organisation of Geoff Garnett and Alan Simmons the League promoted their first ‘golf day’ at Styal Golf Club at the end of the season, which proved a great success with the golfers of Old Ashtonians winning a golfing holiday.

 

The League had lived a nomadic existence as far as meeting venues was concerned with public house venues being the preferred places in the early years with one establishment providing a meal for committee members before the meeting. In those days the meetings were centrally based and finished in time to enable members to catch their last buses home. During the season Curzon Ashton FC kindly offered their new facility for League meetings, which offer was accepted and the ground could also be used for cup finals and Inter League games.

 

Salford Beechfield United dropped ‘Salford’ and Clarksfield St. Edwards became AFC Oldham 2005. AFC Bury resigned and whilst Romiley were re-elected they did not last the season resigning in March. Heywood Town also resigned in September 2005 bringing to an end a fifty-seven-year membership during which time they won twenty-six trophies. Alkrington Dynamoes and Northenden Village joined the League. Old Stoconians were relegated from the Premier and Droylsden Amateurs and St. Margaret Mary’s going down from the First Division.

 

Heaton Mersey led the honours table by securing a double in winning the Premier Division for the third successive year from Mellor and the Rhodes Cup from Old Trafford.

 

Denton Town secured the Aggregate Trophy and the Division ‘A’ title from South Manchester. Salford Victoria won the First Division championship from Norris Villa and the First XI at Irlam Steel won their first trophy becoming champions of the Second Division from Parrswood Celtic.

 

Newton Heath were the Division ‘B’ champions from Spurley Hey and Division ‘C’ was taken by Whalley Range from Old Standians. Burnage Metro had mixed fortunes winning Division ‘D’ from Whalley Range and being runners-up to West Didsbury in Division ‘E’, though they did retain the Veterans Cup from Bedians whom they defeated a year earlier. Bedians did break their duck after such a successful previous season in winning the Whitehead Cup from Cheadle Hulme.

 

The remaining trophies were won by South Manchester who defeated Gatley in the Wray Cup Final and Old Stoconians who overcame West Didsbury in the Hellawell Shield. Eagle reached the Stockport FA Senior Cup for the first time only to lose out in the Final as did Old Stretfordians in the Manchester FA Amateur Cup Final.

 

2006-07 SEASON

 

Mike Yates of Old Stretfordians was elected President for the season. John Rees was forced to resign from Committee due to ill health and following an appeal to the clubs there were a number of new recruits to Committee namely Chris Shawcross and Steve Ridgway from Old Stretfordians, Tony McNicholls from Old Chorltonians, Steve Dunn from Denton Town and Phil Heaps who was to assist with the referee appointments. During the season Steve Ridgway and Tony McNicholls resigned as did Richard Rawsthorne bringing Phil Heaps into the important position of Referees’ Appointments Secretary. The deaths of past presidents and committee members Ian Duncan, Phil Knowles and John Rees were reported during the season with regret.

 

West Didsbury and Chorlton, Salford Victoria, Fletcher Moss Rangers, Northenden Village and Oldham Albion all resigned to be replaced by Offerton Villa, New East Manchester, Deans FC., Moorside Rangers, Manchester Albion and De La Salle. Govan Athletic and St. Margaret Mary’s were re-elected and in view of the number of club withdrawals there was no relegation from the Premier or First Divisions. Marple Villa and De La Salle resigned during the season. Old Stoconians changed the name of the club dropping the ‘Old’, from their title after sixty years usage.

 

Clubs were encouraged to forge links with junior clubs and Beechfield United, Burnage Metro and Mellor were quoted as examples. Two of the new clubs entering the League were junior clubs with players now passing their sixteenth birthdays and looking for open age football. The minimum age for open age football had been changed by the FA to sixteen.

 

The new Manchester FA headquarters at Littleton Road, Salford boasted a 3G all-weather football pitch and Beechfield United were using the ground for their home games. This type of playing surface had been accepted by the FA and Woodley Sports, a local semi-professional club, were playing games on this type of surface at their own stadium. The League had used the ground for representative games and trophy finals and as a result sanctioned the use of the Littleton Road facility for League fixtures.

 

Whalley Range last won the Aggregate Trophy in the 1986-87 season when they resigned and twenty years on, they repeated their earlier success by winning the trophy again, through the efforts of their First XI in winning the Second Division from Eagle FC and their Second XI being runners-up in Division ‘B’.

 

Denton Town for the first time in forty-six years were the Premier Division winners from Hooley Bridge Celtic, who were also runners-up to Bedians in Division ‘D’, which was the eleventh win by Bedians of this trophy. Bedians also won the Veterans Cup.

 

Old Trafford finally arrived in the Premier Division in winning the First Division title from Old Standians. Whilst Rochdalians experienced success in winning the Division ‘A’ championship, they suffered disappointment in the Rhodes Cup after losing the Final to Denton Town, who recorded their tenth win in this competition.

 

In the Wray Cup, Denton were defeated by Hazel Grove, who won this trophy for the first time after forty-nine years League membership. Burnage Metro were Division ‘C’ champions from Aldermere and Beechfield United achieved the double over Burnage Metro winning the Division ‘E’ championship and the Hellawell Shield. Hooley Bridge Celtic won the Whitehead Cup defeating Stoconians in the Final.

 

2007-08 SEASON

 

Phil Hyde from Rochdalians was elected President for the season. Gordon Sutton had to retire from Committee due to ill health and Dave Brown also resigned. John Ferns was invited onto committee to assist with the referee appointments, and the retiring President Mike Yates was recruited as a permanent member becoming Vice-Chairman and Representative Games Secretary. Late in the season, the Secretary stepped down to concentrate on presenting a history of the League for the centenary and Brian Davies took over the position. Dave Rathburn was appointed a Vice-President in recognition of his service to the Cheadle Hulme club.

 

A major development in the close season was the introduction of an Under 18s Division after a lapse of seventy-six years. Whilst there was initial support for the venture, as the starting day approached, there was an alarming drop out of teams. Despite this the division was launched with eight teams and satisfactorily concluded with FC Tintwistle Villa winning the division and Hollingworth Old Boys the Gordon Sutton Cup, which had been donated to the League by the friends and family of Gordon, who had tragically died during the season.

 

Manchester Albion had resigned their membership, and new applications were accepted from Manchester Rovers and VIP FC. Cheadle Hulme had suffered player desertions in the past season causing them to try and consolidate with one team. As a result, the club merged with Offerton Villa keeping the name of Cheadle Hulme and maintaining the club’s lineage stretching back to 1922.

 

Heaton Mersey experienced problems and were forced to reduce to one team due to player defections. A new management team was able to keep the club afloat, but they were relegated to the Second Division. Old Chorltonians followed Stoconians’ decision by dropping the ‘Old’ from their title, now they were trying to attract younger players into a junior team. Lime Street SC changed their name to Staly FC and were re-elected with Moorside Rangers. Newton Heath and Burnage Metro were relegated from the Premier Division with Oldham Victoria and Aldermere going down from the First Division.

 

There was mixed success for League teams in county FA competitions with New East Manchester defeating Newton Heath in the Manchester FA Amateur Cup Final. Old Stretfordians and Newton had also contested the semi-finals. Cheadle Hulme Villa were beaten in the final of the Stockport FA Senior Cup, Beechfield United also lost in the Final of the Manchester FA Challenge Trophy, but were winners of the Manchester FA Charter Standard Cup.

 

Moston Brook could claim their most successful season in thirty-seven years membership of the League by winning the Aggregate Trophy for the first time, the First Division championship from Whalley Range and Division ‘B’ from Newton.

 

Beechfield United won the Premier Division for the first time in their ten years membership from Old Trafford and the Second Division went to Govan Athletic giving them their first trophy. New East Manchester were the runners-up to add to their cup success.

 

Whalley Range were again runners-up in Division ‘A’ to South Manchester and Alkrington Dynamoes achieved their first success in Division ‘C’ over Mellor. Beechfield United added two more successes in Division ‘D’ with Deans FC runners-up and in the Whitehead Cup defeating Stoconians in the Final. AFC Oldham won their first trophy for eleven years taking Division ‘E’ from Cheadle Hulme Villa.

 

Hollingworth Old Boys continued the season’s trend of clubs winning trophies for the first time by taking the Rhodes Cup with the defeat of Old Trafford in the Final. Denton Town won the Wray cup defeating Alkrington Dynamoes, which made for an excellent season for the latter who were fielding a Second XI for the first time. Old Stretfordians defeated Burnage Metro in the Hellawell Shield Final and they also succeeded in the Veterans Cup defeating Stoconians in the Final.

​

2008-09 - CENTENARY SEASON

 

Bob Stafford was elected President for the centenary season in recognition of his forty years’ service to the Stoconians club, which included nineteen years as club secretary during which time the club fielded each season between four and six teams. There was no questioning Bob’s organizational and administrative ability running the club so efficiently. Mike Ramsden and John Ferns resigned from Committee and were replaced by Jim Brown and the retiring President, Phil Hyde. Frank Forster of South Manchester was presented with the FA Fifty Year Service to Football Award and in recognition of achieving this prestigious award Committee elected Frank a Vice-President of the League.

 

Unfortunately, the Under 18s Division did not continue, but the League were pleased to transfer from this division Denton West End, Hattersley and Tintwistle Athletic into the open age divisions.

 

Whilst Beechfield United, Denton Town and Old Standians resigned from the League there was an influx of new clubs as follows, Bridge Colts, Milton FC, Pendlebury United, Santos and VC United. In addition, St. Margaret Mary’s gave up the struggle for players and merged with Oldham Victoria, which became a three-team club for the first time.

 

As a result, there was a major overhaul of the divisional structure to take into effect the membership of forty-seven clubs fielding one hundred and eighteen teams.  The League now had nine clubs fielding three teams, six fielding four teams, three fielding five teams and one fielding six teams, in addition to many more teams in junior leagues. 

 

The thought of providing football for this number of teams must represent the finest testimony to the founding Committee of the League for their foresight in promoting an amateur League which in their words was to be, “of high quality for players who play the genuine sport”. Despite all the problems faced over the years by so many people helping to promote the game, the fact that the League continues to flourish one hundred years on from the humble beginning with eleven teams to a competition of one hundred and eighteen bears witness to one winner and that is football.

 

The Centenary Dinner was held at the City of Manchester Stadium, Eastlands and attended by two hundred and twenty guests, who enjoyed a superb evening with Sir Trevor Brooking representing the Football Association and comedian John Bishop providing contrasting after dinner speeches.

 

Deb Owen, the Secretary of Deans FC was elected to the Manchester FA Council and became the first lady to hold a Council post with the County. Burnage Metro won the Charter Standard Adult Club of the Year award and represented the area in the national finals. Bob Rowlanson of AFC Oldham was recognized for his work with the club over many years by being elected a Vice-President of the League.

 

League ties were presented to N. Jepson and R. Worsley of Cheadle Hulme Villa and P. Mulrooney of Old Stretfordians for twenty-five years’ service to their respective clubs.

 

The strength of the Rochdalians club was shown at the Annual Dinner with the presentation of the S.E. Woollam Aggregate Trophy, the Division ‘A’ championship and their First XI were runners-up in the Premier Division.

 

South Salford and East Chorlton hold the joint record at six for the most wins of the Aggregate Trophy, leaving Rochdalians on five as the most successful club still in membership of the League.

 

The winners of the Premier Division were Whalley Range who completed the double winning the Rhodes Cup both successes being for the first time. Their Third XI were runners-up in the Division ‘C’.

 

Defeated in the Rhodes Cup Final, Govan Athletic bounced back to win the First Division title on goal difference from Spurley Hey, whose Secretary Dave Jameson was awarded the Secretary of the Year trophy. Govan gained the distinction of achieving promotion as champions in successive seasons.

 

New to open age football, Hattersley won the Second Division title from League newcomers Milton with the best record in the League, collecting sixty-nine points from twenty-six games suffering only one defeat.

 

Division ‘B’ champions were Alkrington Dynamoes, who also won the Division ‘C’ title in the previous season. Runners-up were Deans FC, who successfully won the Division ‘E’ title. Old Stretfordians had a mixed season, with their Third XI winning Division C’, their vets team losing in the Final of the Veterans Cup to Bedians and their First XI having the satisfaction of defeating Heywood St James in the Manchester FA Amateur Cup Final only to be disqualified on appeal from their opponents.

 

Bedians won Division ‘D’ from Irlam Steel, making this an unprecedented twelve times, and added the Veterans Cup for the third time. Mellor were so close to winning the Premier Division but had to settle with the Whitehead Cup and runners-up in the Stockport FA Senior Cup though their excellent sporting behaviour was rewarded with the presentation of the Fair Play Award.

 

Chorltonians fielded a record six teams and were rewarded with the runners-up spot in Division ‘A’ and the Whitehead Cup. Moston Brook’s Fourth XI were runners-up in Division ‘E’ and the Hellawell shield to Old Ashtonians, who last won this competition in 1994.

 

Cheadle Hulme Villa retained the Peter Howarth Golf Trophy and Roy Bowden was rewarded with the Referee of the Year trophy.