Present: chairman F Warburton, secretary R Kavanagh, treasurer G Tonge and delegates from all teams except Urmston Men’s Club.
The chairman opened the meeting at 6.45 and welcomed all delegates.
Apologies:
Urmston Men’s Club.
Secretary’s report:
The secretary summarised arrangements for the comimg season. This starts on 9 June, with all teams playing the others once (12 matches over 13 weeks).
Clubs were recommended to have some means of recording who was present at matches. It could be useful for away teams to bring a prepared list of their players. Some teams (notably Legh Arms and the Nursery) noted that the venue had its own arrangements, which all players should follow.
Clubs may wish to sanitise jacks and mats between each game.
Trinity would now be playing at Moor Nook Park, on Norris Road.
Sale Cons had resigned from the league. Their players had moved to Mersey Valley, who now take their place.
We would be using “Direct entry” this year, as decided for the abandoned 2020 season. Clubs had been each sent their user name and password. This also allows users to view contact details for league and club officials on the web site.
Treasurer’s report:
Payments made last year would now cover this year. The only outgoings we had last year were the BCGBA club levies – the BCGBA had controversially insisted these were paid. They graciously allowed a reduced rate of £20 for 2021. Two clubs pay this fee through the Sale league.
Proposed modified match rule:
The meeting had been convened as a general meeting. Bowling Green proposed that the team size should be eight players for the 2021 season.
Some teams expressed concern that players would not get a game and may drift away. Others were worried that they could not reliably find ten players.
There was also a view that the change might become permanent. The secretary said that the change would lapse unless a resolution was passed at the AGM in November.
The proposal was passed by six votes to five, with two abstentions.
It was agreed that this meant that the “playing twice” rule (introduced for 2020) would not apply while we were on eight-a-side.
Any other business:
The chairman noted that the pandemic had taken a heavy toll. He asked clubs to notify the league of deaths so we could suitably honour them.
The Chairman closed the meeting at 7.10 pm