League ready for big kick-off despite fewer entries

THE new season of the Grimsby and District Football League, sponsored by ABP, gets underway today with 14 teams competing in just one division for the first time in more than a century of existence.

Four new teams have joined the league, but six have left.

It doesn't register as the lowest ever entry, as just six teams took part in 1902, but it is a far cry from 30 years ago when a record 94 teams competed in seven divisions in the 1978/9 campaign.

The league, formed in 1896, continues to battle on with a single division, with competing clubs this season confirmed as: AS Motors Old Boys, Caistor Tennyson, Car Services (ex Drywall Athletic), City Electrical Factors, Everyone Active, FB Old Boys, FSRC – GFL, Fizz FC, Immingham Blossom Way, Immingham Bluestone, Mitchells FC, NELC FC, Nicol Construction, No1 Pub.

All of the clubs will also compete for the Ron Bevers Senior Challenge Cup and have been automatically entered in the Lincolnshire League Junior Cup.

This will mean teams will have a couple of midweek games to play on September 9 and 16 to allow the scheduled fixtures to be completed by the end of April.

Meanwhile, league chairman Phil Storr has paid tribute to league life member Harry Norton, who died on August 19.

He told a recent meeting of the league: "Although the League had lost contact with Harry many years ago – he and his widow Joan have been living Hertfordshire for many years – I wish, on behalf of the League Committee and past and present member clubs of the Grimsby and District Football League, to offer our sincere condolences to Joan and members of his family.

"Harry became hon secretary of the Grimsby League in 1942.

"During the Second World War, the League organised various cup knock out competitions and Harry was instrumental in the local league programme beginning again in season 1944/5.

"He was hon secretary/treasurer until the late 1950s when he became chairman – a position he held until 1969, whereupon he accepted a life membership of the league.

"That was a well deserved recognition for the years of service he provided to the league over 27 years."

Also at the meeting, Storr welcomed Simon Walker to the Committee, but said farewell to league stalwart John Parkinson.

Storr added: "John has served the committee for the last 16 seasons and will be missed."

The chairman also thanked ABP for its continued sponsorship, which began in 1988, and to the steward and committee of the Carr Lane Social Club for the use of their meeting rooms every month.