IT'S unlikely that Green Day had The Northern Echo Sunday Invitation League in mind when they wrote their latest single, Wake Me Up When September Ends, but it is widely accepted the divisional tables only truly begin taking shape from October onwards.

With just a handful of games played, it's still early days - or at least, that's what we're telling ourselves at RAC after winning only one of our opening four games.

A 6-3 win over Tanners Hall means it's not quite been a Sunderland-style start to life following last year's promotion, but as well as the opening day loss to AFC Brinkburn we've also been beaten by Killinghall Arms (2-1) and Fighting Cocks (3-1).

The Cocks and the Killy have both made 100 per cent starts to the season, as have Nestfield in Division One, Turks Head in Division Two and Royal British Legion and Sherwoods in Division Three. But can they keep it up until May, June or whenever any games postponed this winter are played by?

THIS week, we introduce a new section where RAC midfielder, league committee member and general boffin Chris Johnson casts his eye over some league statistics.

"There are 638 players registered to play in the league this season, " says Chris. "Royal British Legion have the most with 33, whereas Peladon United are having to make do with only 15.

"The last alphabetically is AFC Brinkburn's Steve Young, and the first is as far removed from young as you can get, in more ways than one; the Brown Trout's 'veteran' striker, 41-yearold Dave Abdale."

Johnson adds that there are another 22 over 40s registered in the league, with the oldest being league chairman Peter Thompson of The Northern Echo. "I won't give his exact date of birth away, " he says, "but round about next year's AGM he will be celebrating the big five zero."

Youngest player is Cleveland Bridge's Dale Elgie, recently turned 16. "Dale is one of 11 16year-olds registered this season, " says our ageing statto, who isn't one of them.

SPEAKING of youngsters, congratulations to All Stars, who for the first time in the league's history have a side in all three divisions.

MN All Stars, Bsc All Stars and the imaginatively-named New All Stars (they're the most recent one if you hadn't guessed) all consist of former players from the kids' sides of the same name, with a few old heads thrown in too.

Of course it does help that there seems to be a new All Stars side entering the league every year, but this unique hat-trick is still some achievement.

NEXT up for RAC is Haughton who have won two of three games and who we have yet to beat in five previous attempts.

Their key player, Paul Colman, has played in more exotic surroundings of course; he appeared in a charity game at the Darlington Football Stadium alongside the likes of Gazza.

At least that means he'll be used to sharing a pitch with portly lads who like a drink and clowning around. He'll need to be when he plays against us.

Published: 26/08/2005