Now this apology for a summer is fading away thoughts again are turning to football, indeed this year it seems we have never left them and the Craven League season will shortly be getting underway.

During the close season there have been changes in the make up of the League with a couple of clubs folding; St Pauls FC through lack of finances, a problem which is increasing in the ever rising costs of football at grass roots level, if only some of the monies wasted at higher levels of the game could be ploughed back, and Eastburn Rangers FC, through lack of interest from players, another catching complaint. Their places in the League have been taken by late entries from Ilkley Juniors Youth FC, Waddington FC and the re-emergence of Carleton FC Res. These three clubs, teams, will play in Division Three, the League now consisting of four divisions as opposed to five in recent years. It was felt that rather than have five divisions with a few teams it would be better to drop one and increase strengths in the other divisions, giving 12 teams in the Premier and Division One and 14 teams in Divisions Two and Three.

At this stage prospects on the playing side are unknown. Some clubs have been in training a number of weeks, others have not started yet so it would be hard to make predictions of who will do what, although one can be sure the defending champions Embsay, along with promoted Rimington and Silsden, will be keen to make good starts to the season whilst deposed champions Skipton Bulldogs will be keen to regain their crown. In Division One relegated teams Skipton Town and Skipton LMS will be looking for a quick return whilst promoted Hellifield Sports and West Bradford will be looking to continue their success. The lower divisions usually take a while to settle down although one would imagine Clitheroe United, Sutton, Barrowford and Horton could be early pace setters.

One thing is certain the League will be short of referees yet again owing to retirements and few new candidates to take their place. 26 matches need to be staffed each week and at present registered with the League are only 16 referees so volunteers are urgently required. Despite bad publicity refereeing is a way of putting something back into the game, with prospects of promotion to higher Leagues far better for anyone with ability and the will to get on, so come on and give it a try all you ex-players, we really need you and will be glad to have your services.

One thing that hasn't changed is the make up of the management committee of the League. The same faces have all volunteered their services for another season. Chairman Gerry Aldersley for his tenth term, treasurer Bill Simpson, who has been there since before decimal currency began, registration secretary Matt Lord, who has registered players and is now registering their sons and maybe their grandsons, aided and abetted by serving committee members Rex Geldard, Bill Huck, Eric Whiteley, Richard Akrigg and one newcomer on the committee Tony Venn, who was kindly press-ganged into joining. Again anyone who would like to be involved in the running of the League will be most welcome indeed and need only to contact any of the aforementioned and they will be welcomed with open arms. Not forgetting to mention the long serving president George Saunders who has been around longer than anyone and still showing great enthusiasm and concern for the League.

So for the fiftieth time since the war the League will kick-off on September 5. Hopes will be high, excitement will surely ensue over the next eight months culminating in joy for some, disappointment for many but hopefully enjoyment and entertainment for all.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.