THE historic West Riding County Amateur League is to officially dissolve after 96 consecutive seasons.

Last week, a meeting was held where it was agreed one of Bradford’s most famous amateur sporting leagues was to be disbanded.

Ten of the 11 clubs who finished the most recent season were present, along with the management committee.

The decision to go through the process of ‘dissolution’ in line with The FA Standard Code of Rules comes after three years of continuing struggle for the league.

More than 30 clubs left the league over the last three seasons – for one reason or another – with 24 of those folding.

WRCAFL League life member and results secretary Philip Rhodes – who has held his role since the 1993/94 season – said: “I reckon I would have done another 10 years, if the league had continued.

“We lost a lot of clubs – not just from them leaving but also from promotions.

“The league did a job, that’s what we were there for. That was for clubs to step up to another level.

“It would have been nice to continue for another three years to complete the centenary. But, what will be, will be.”

Rhodes said in February the league’s future was in “the lap of the Gods” after yet another team folded.

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By that point, the WRCAFL had already dropped under the FA minimum of 14 clubs to maintain Step 7 status – the last rung on the nationally recognised non-league pyramid. Now, it will cease to exist.

Rhodes added: “It’s the end of an era.

“It’s just something you’ve got to accept. It’s a bitter pill to swallow.

“I’m saddened, I will admit, but I’m the chairman of the Bradford FA, so I’ve still got involvement and I’ll just take it from there.

“I’ve had quite a few emails saying sorry to see you go and whatnot.”

The league dropped to a single division system with 15 teams for the start of this campaign and there has been extended efforts from those involved to keep this piece of footballing history alive.

Rhodes said: “We’ve tried, we’ve looked around for clubs.

“We went to clubs who were with us before to see if they were willing to come back.

“The FA have done as much as they can. They can’t move clubs from one league to another. You can’t force them.”

The WRCAFL custodian spoke fondly of some of the teams who had come through the league in years past.

Farsley Celtic, Guiseley, Thackley and even Bradford (Park Avenue) – when they first lost their league status – have spent time there.

Reigning champions Golcar United will move to Step 6 and play in the North West Counties League Division One next season.

The remaining clubs will move across to the Yorkshire Amateur League – which currently holds no step status.

Rhodes said: “Hopefully, if they move over to the Yorkshire Amateur League, they can take on the step seven mantle and move up from them.

“I asked the FA if our clubs will lose their advantages as step seven clubs and they said they wouldn’t.”

The long-term servant said he is unsure what his own future will hold, but is looking forward to cracking on with his ‘History Of The League’ book he began more than 20 years ago.

He added: “I know I can wander round any of the clubs.

“I’ll see what develops – I might be able to go on holiday in September now.”

The league are aiming to donate the various trophies associated with the WRCAFL to the National Football Museum in Manchester.

They would also like to try trace relatives of those who donated the trophies to the league over many seasons, to ask for their permission to have the trophies donated to the museum.

This includes: The Ernest Waddilove Trophy, The Fred Braithwaite Trophy, The Dr Hughes Trophy, and The George Myers Trophy.

If anyone knows of these people, they are urged to contact league secretary Mr D Preston on the following: 07930 601961 or wrcafltreas@hotmail.com