Skipton Bulldogs and Skipton Town will meet tomorrow at Sandylands in the Silentnight Premier Division of the Craven & District Football League, newly crowned champions for a third successive season taking on the team from the bottom of the pile, (writes Tony Simpson).
A much more important meeting, however, will be taking place after the game at Town's Engine Shed Lane head-quarters, when the club will hold its Annual Meeting.
That gathering has nothing to do with Bulldogs, of course, but like other clubs in the district keen to enhance their facilities, they are bound to be interested in the outcome.
On the agenda will be Town's decision to lodge a provisional withdrawal from the Craven League in accordance with bye-laws. That move is mandatory for any team contemplating a change of direction and while Town can change their minds at tomorrow's get together, they have until May 15 to decide where they are heading.
At the moment, like so many other sporting organisations, they are prospering at junior level, but finding the transition of their youngsters to adult teams not nearly so easy to manage. While the kids have parents always keen to help, the senior club struggles for personnel.
The question Town officials and membership must confront tomorrow, of course, is how best they should resolve their problems. They are already aware that some players will be moving to pastures new rather than drop out of the Premier Division, while a handful of senior players who form the core of the second team have indicated that it may be time to hang up their boots.
As the top club in the town so far as facilities are concerned, Town's decision will be awaited with keen interest across the footballing spectrum.
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