League expands to three divisions
Jackson Anderson Accountants Spennymoor Sunday League
THE Spennymoor League has further expanded its development by restructuring to three divisions for the forthcoming 2006-07 season.
Due to an unprecedented number of applications from clubs – the league received several inquiries and eventually eight official lodges – members voted in the four teams recommended by the league committee at the AGM earlier in the summer.
And after stretching from 28 to 31 clubs all together, following just one resignation, they also opted to split the league into three divisions.
“This is just yet another forward step in the ongoing development of the league,” said league press officer Martin Walker. “The league committee recommended that we expanded to three divisions as we strongly felt it would increase the competition within each of them and also slightly alleviate the pressure to fulfil so many fixtures after what was a difficult run-in to the season last year.
“This way we won’t have to play mid-week games at the start of the season, as we always have done, and we should be able to comfortably complete the fixture programme in good time.
“What is also very positive for us is the interest we had from external clubs wishing to join the league, while some other leagues in the region seem to be losing clubs, and that only underlines our growing reputation in the area.
“Luckily we also have a very strong and loyal pool of referees which has allowed us to service the intake of the four new teams, so we’re already looking forward to what should hopefully be an exciting and productive 2006-07 season.”
The four new teams joining the league for 06-07 are Masons Arms from Etherley Dene in Bishop Auckland, EBAC and Castle, also from Bishop Auckland, as well as Fox & Hounds from Shildon. They all join the brand new Division Three.
The new Division One now consists of: Thorns, Masons Arms, Tudhoe United, Hunwick Joiners, Old Shildon, North Briton (formerly Lakeside), Binchester Social Club, Voltigeur, Bay Horse, Croxdale, Quinns.
The new Division Two consists of: Browney, Penny Gill, Eldon Arms, Hogans, Victoria, New Brancepeth, Shildon Athletic, Green Tree, Belvedere, Half Moon/
The new Division Three consists of: Masons United, Fox & Hounds (formerly Ash Tree), Aycliffe Village (formerly North Briton), Southerne Club, Horndale Celtic, Navy Club (formerly George & Dragon), Shildon Fox & Hounds, EBAC, Bishop Masons, Castle.
• Meanwhile, the fixtures for the forthcoming season are due to be announced.
League Secretary Mike Hill has been busy formulating the opening games for the 2006-07 campaign, which kicks off on Sunday 20th August.
They are due to be released at the league’s next meeting at the Southerne Club in Newton Aycliffe on Wednesday 9th August, from 8pm.
| 
