Wensleydale Creamery League - Confidence that the league will be able to return to normal at the start of the new season was expressed at the annual meeting held at the Dalesman Club, Leyburn last week. The league came to a premature end on February 24 when the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in the area caused the cancellation of all the remaining fixtures from March 3. The season was formally suspended at a meeting of the league management committee on April 4 as the epidemic spread. At the meeting it was decided that the league should restart at the end of August and a further meeting will be held on August 1 to decide the detailed arrangements for the new season.

There are to be two changes in the league line-up. Catterick Village have resigned to enter the Harrogate and District League and a new club, Kirkby Malzeard, was admitted to the league in their place to maintain the number of clubs at 16. Bishopdale Valley, who competed last season, have reorganised and will play this season as Leyburn United. Members agreed that a former restriction that players should reside within three miles of village post offices should be deleted. The meeting heard that the president of the league, Mr Anthony Abrahams, was to relinquish his post at the end of next season after eight years because of business and other commitments. The next meeting of the league management committee will be held at the Dalesman Club on Wednesday, August 1 at 7.30pm.

The line-up for the new season will be: Askrigg, Bowes, Carperby, Catterick Garrison, Hawes, Hawes B, Kirkby Malzeard, Leyburn, Leyburn United (formerly Bishopdale), Middleham Town, Redmire, Reeth, Richmond Buck, Richmond Mavericks, Spennithorne, Swale Travaux.

Hambleton Ales Combination

Last season will be forever known as the season that never was, declared league secretary, David Watson, at the annual meeting held at the Northallerton Town FC club house on Sunday. Presenting his annual report, Mr Watson said that the decision of the league council to suspend the season in March was very difficult with many factors to be considered. An extension of the season had been a possibility but this would have meant clubs playing three times a week to fit in all outstanding games. But with 14 clubs directly affected by the foot-and-mouth outbreak with grounds closed and many players involved in the farming industry, people's livelihoods were in the balance. The decision had been further justified by the later confirmed cases at Danby Wiske and Picton. Looking ahead to the new season, Mr Watson said although there was still some anxiety about the situation, the time had come to try and plan ahead. He confirmed that Masham of Division One and Romanby Park of Division Three had resigned from the league and the meeting accepted an application to join by West Tanfield FC. Two teams have changed names: White Swan of Division Two become Gilling West and Buck Inn Northallerton of Division Three are now County Arms. Mr Watson expressed his thanks to the league council for their support, especially chairman, Ian Norton, fixture secretary Brian Garthwaite, registration secretary Glyn Neads and treasurer Malcolm Hare. He announced that Hambleton Ales had agreed to continue their sponsorship of the Combination and thanked Nick Stafford for his support. All existing officers were re-elected. The new season will start on Sunday, September 2 although some midweek games could be arranged before then.

Line-up for the new season - Division One: Great Ayton Hibs, Kneeton Park, Northallerton Police, North Yorks Unison, Osmotherley Rangers, Robert Thompsons, Rountons, Royal Oak, Thirsk Albion, Three Coopers Bedale.

Division Two: Appleton Wiske, Blue Star, Brompton-on-Swale, Catterick Village, Durham Ox, Gilling West (formerly White Swan), Kildale, Northallerton Elders, Oak Leaf, Robert Thompsons Reserves, Skipton BS, Stokesley SC, Topcliffe.

Division Three: County Arms (formerly Buck Inn Northallerton); Cowtons, Elders SC, Hutton Rudby, Ingleby Greenhow, Knayton, Marne Dragons, Nags Head United, Northallerton WMC, Sinderby, Streetlam Farmers, Thirsk Town, Vale of York, West Tanfield.

Stepy's Coaches Durham Sunday League

We still have a vacancy in the fifth division due to Broompark Loves deciding not to become members of the league. The League will kick-off on Sunday, August 12 with six divisions with 12 teams in each division.

Premier Division: Burnmoor Cricket and Football Club, Chester-le-Street Osborne WMC, Fishburn WMC, Framwellgate Moor WMC, Hetton Lyons Cricket Club, Kelloe WMC, Meadowfield Brancepeth Castle, Murton Village Inn, Newton Hall, Pelton ROAB, Relton Terrace WMC, Spennymoor Admiral Heating.

First Division: Brandon Bay Horse, Coxhoe WM, Durham City WMC, Fatfield North Biddick, Gilesgate Moor Three Horse Shoes, Sacriston WMC, Sedgefield St Edmunds, Sherburn Lambton Arms, Spennymoor Weardale, Sunderland Lakeside, Ushaw Moor Cricket Club, Witton Gilbert WMC.

Second Division: Belmont WMC, Bowburn Oak Tree, Ferryhill WMC, Framwellgate Moor United, Houghton Glendale Social, Houghton Mill All Stars, Langley Park WMC, Lumley Sports and Social, Hetton New Inn, Penshaw Catholic Club, Shotton Fleming Hotel, Washington Keelboat.

Third Division: Brandon Prince Bishop, Brandon Sports, Chilton WMC, Esh Winning McKenna's, New Herrington Flighters, Hougton Burn Inn, Lambton Highwayman, New Brancepeth WMC, Newton Hall Jovial Monk, Ouston Red Lion, Washington Arms, Washington Dunlop Tyres.

Fourth Division: Durham Bede Lodge, Durham City Coach and Eight, Ferryhill Eldon Arms, Gilesgate Moor Brittania Inn, Hamsteels CW, Hamsteels Inn, Houghton Chilton Lodge, Houghton New Social, Kirk Merrington Half Moon, Langley Moor Hotel, Newton Aycliffe WMC, Washington Honest Boy.

Fifth Division: Bearpark WMC, Chester-le-Street Horners, Ferryhill Black Bull, Gilesgate Moor Hotel, Glendenning Arms, Langley Park Social, Lumley Snooker, Pittington Duke Of Wellington, Waterhouses

Witton White Tunn, Byers Green WMC, Burnmoor Dun Cow.

Name changes: Brandon Ridge to Brandon Prince Bishop.

Chester Lambton Worm to Chester Osborne WMC.

Esh Winning Rovers to Esh Winning McKennas.

Hamilton Row Black Horse to Waterhouses.

Langley Park Rams Head to Hamsteels Inn.

Lumey Snooker to Lumley Sports and Social.

Washington Sports to Washington Keelboat.

Bowburn Coopreage to Bowburn Oak Tree.

New clubs: Ferryhill Black Bull Sporting Club, Byers Green WMC Burnmoor Dun Cow.

Resignations: Washington Littlefuse, Seaham Kestrel, Philadeplphia, Langley Moor Lord Boyne, Hougton Robbie Burns, Bowburn Hare and Greyhound, Fatfield Biddick Inn.