9:10am Monday 25th July 2011
THE Worcester and District League has received a huge boost with the addition of seven teams.
Thirteen sides have joined the league, with six dropping out, meaning a total of 86 will compete in the 2011-12 campaign.
There will now be two divisions on a Saturday, split into two groups of eight, and six on a Sunday, with up to a maximum of 12 teams in each.
One of the reasons for the increase is the continued trend of junior teams stepping up to senior football after finishing with age-group competition in the Mercian and Stourport leagues.
Nunnery Wood and Northside have both come on board for the new season and the league hope more will follow.
Secretary Tim Phillips said: “We are delighted that clubs are recognising that the Worcester League is the perfect platform for clubs who have reached the age limits in their junior leagues to move into open-aged football. We now have a healthy number of ex-junior teams who are establishing themselves in our league and we would urge any other sides who may find themselves in the same position next year to consider joining us.”
Nunnery Wood have joined the Saturday set-up along with The Railway Train and Powick Reserves.
Northside are new to the Sunday divisions with Kempsey, Heenans Reserves, WCT Sports, Hylton Road Rovers, STG, Five Fathers, Cavalier Sports, The Bell (Pensax) and Worcester Saints.
Phillips said: “We are particularly pleased to see Saturday football on the increase again.
“Two years ago it was hanging by a thread with only nine teams competing.
“Bad weather in recent years has meant a glut of evening fixtures in April and May.
“By restricting the numbers in each division we hope to avoid too many night matches at the end of the season.”
The extra numbers mean an additional internal cup competition will take place.
Frank Southam, registration secretary for a number of years, is donating a trophy in memory of his late wife Maureen who was treasurer for many years.
The new season will kick-off on the weekend of September 3 and 4 and finish on May 5 and 6.
At the league’s annual general meeting, all officers were re-elected with the exception of retiring fixture secretary Bob Usher, who has been replaced by Wayne Hanson. How they line-up for 2011-12: Saturday Division One: Hallow, Malvern Town Reserves, Newtown Sports, Nunnery Wood, Powick, University of Worcester, VBL Sports, Worcester Raiders.
Division Two: Malvern Rangers, Northway, Perrywood, Powick Reserves, The Railway Train, West Malvern TC, Worcester Anchors, Worcester Rangers.
Sunday Premier: Heenans, Arrow 2000, CMB Sports, Coppertops Athletic, Droitwich Spa Eagles, Hallow Village, Martley Spurs, Nunnery Wood, Perrywood, Powick, Upton Snodsbury.
Division One: AA Chequers, Kempsey, Mazak, Blue Star, Callow End, Colwall St James, KGV Worcester, Martley Spurs Reserves, New Barbourne, Northwich Vale, St John’s, VBL Sports.
Division Two: West Midland, Anchor Falcons, Goodrest Juniors, Hornets, Inter Express, Malvern Radar, Malvern Rangers, Perrywood Reserves, St George’s, WCT Sports, Wessie, Worcester Saints.
Division Three: Brewers, Claines, Heenans Reserves, Droitwich RBL, GDL Athletic, Halllow, Nunnery Wood ‘A’, Old Vigornians, Upton Star, VBL Sports Reserves, West Malvern TC, Wychbold RBL Reserves.
Division Four: Brunswick, Cavalier Sports, Cutnall Green, Droitwich Spa Eagles Reserves, Malvern Rangers ‘A’, Malvern Victoria, Malvern Town (Sunday), New Inn Sports, Northside, University of Worcester, Westside, Worcester Lynx.
Division Five: Bell (Pensax), Five Fathers, GDL Athletic Reserves, Hangover, Hornets Reserves, Hylton Road Rovers, Powick Reserves, St George’s Reserves, STG FC, Worcester City Wanderers, Worcester Riley’s.tH
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