The Spennymoor Sunday Morning League has been boosted with a major new sponsorship deal - and its members will be rewarded for it!

The league - which enjoyed a hugely successful 2000-2001 season, completing all league fixtures and five cup competitions - have won the sponsorship of top accountancy firm Bowman Anderson Accountancy.

And as a result, the league has decided to reward its teams in the most unique way - by paying their Durham FA Affiliation fees for the forthcoming season!

"We feel that this is a great reward to the teams after a difficult season,"

said league secretary Mike Clarke.

"It was a very successful season, as we completed a rigorous backlog of

fixtures, but it was very difficult for everyone, not least club secretaries

and all our referees.

"We are indebted to Bowman Anderson Accountancy, who have continued to support this league for a number of years, but this sponsorship is obviously a major step forward for us."

It is believed that the Bowman Anderson Accountancy Spennymoor Sunday League is the first league affiliated with Durham FA to ever pay for its clubs'

annual fees - possibly even the country.

And it just underlines how far the league has come on in recent years -

growing from a small-sized league to the two-division 29-team league it is

today.

l The League hold a management meeting next week in preparation for the forthcoming season.

The 2001-2002 campaign will kick-off on Sunday, 19th August, with 13 teams making up the First Division and 16 forming the Second Division.

The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, July 25 and the league would welcome all existing, and any new referees, to attend to discuss any points for the coming season.

Fixture secretary Norman Dale said: "The commitment from our referees over the last year has been brilliant, and the input from officials is a valuable contribution for the successful running of the League."

The meeting will take place at Spennymoor United Social club at 8pm. For any more details, call Norman Dale on (01388) 818840