The Mid-Somerset Football League are bucking the national trend with adult football. With a lot of leagues reducing the number of teams, Mid-Somerset have seven new teams for the coming season.
President Bryan Wells opened the League’s AGM, with all clubs represented, at Peasedown St John Cricket Club, handing over to Chairman, Bryn Hawkins, who, in his report, congratulated Frome Collegians for winning the Somerset Junior Cup, Premier League and Dimmock Green KO Cup.
He also congratulated Peasedown Albion for lifting the Somerset Intermediate Cup, Clark Cup and for being runners-up in the First Division. This is only the second time in the League’s history it has won both Somerset Cups in the same season – the other time was in 2006, when Mells took the Junior Cup and Purnell the Intermediate Cup.
A special mention was given to Bath Villa, for winning the Paulton Hospital Cup, First Division and Charity Cup, and also Evercreech, winning the Second Division, Moorland Cup and the Tony Baxter Shield. Weston Bath won the Third Division and the Stoke Wilmott Cup.
Hawkins made the point he was still disappointed with the amount of abuse referees are taking during games – the League loses good referees because of this problem, and without referees, there can be no football matches. He praised the management committee for their commitment and dedication during the season, saying they are second-to-none in his opinion. All seven teams that applied to join the league were voted in, subject to the ground and dressing rooms meeting the League’s standards.
There were very positive reports from Karen Clark (League Secretary), Rob Beale (Fixture Secretary), Gary Smart (Registration Secretary) and Rob Watkins (Referees’ Appointment Secretary).
Gary Smart (also Treasurer) presented the balance sheet to all the clubs present, which showed a healthy balance, due in some way to the amount of fines taken in over the season.
The new committee was elected for season 2018/2019 as follows – President: Bryan Wells, Chair: Bryn Hawkins, Vice-Chair: Ryan Grubb, Secretary: Karen Clark, Treasurer/
Registration Secretary: Gary Smart, Fixture Secretary: Rob Beale, Referees’ Appointment Secretary” Rob Watkins, General Committee: Yvonne Dix, Kate Maul and Nick Doble. Bryn Hawkins