Welcome to the August Meeting, after the summer break I am sure you're glad to be back.

We appear to have started the season as we ended last year with controversy surrounding referees, following the sending off of Alan Shearer on the opening day of the season. I have to admit only to watching the sending incident on the TV and not the whole game, although I was a little surprised at the decision.

Shearer, like most professionals is very clever and usually knows how far he can push the referee, with a number of challenges on opponents. His first offence was a certain caution, although the referee did himself little favours as the second yellow card was for a seemingly minor offence and no-one was aware it was for persistent misconduct. A tip I received when cautioning a player for persistent misconduct is hold, say three fingers up to indicate the number of previous offences and point to where the previous offences occurred, so that you are communicating to other what you are cautioning the player for. Perhaps if Mr Rennie did this and was seen he would have received less abuse. For anyone who has not decided which league they are to referee in next season may wish to think about the Altrincham Saturday League. Dave Berry had 100% coverage last season, although Dave does not have the same number of referees this season as last and has forecast a shortage. The league is to be made up of two divisions, 14 teams in the first and 15 teams in the second. Partington Village, Sale Amateurs and Sale Hotel have been promoted to the first division and Wellgreen FC relegated to the second division. There are 6 new teams: - AK Punjab, Athletico FC, Moor Town, Partington Village Res, Urmston Town, and Wilmslow Albion. Whilst United Services, Fimbars Mac, Helad Green and Atlantic Res have resigned from the league.

Finally on a very sad note, I have just been advised of the death of our past president, Brendan Gettins. Brendan was a great servant to this society, he held the post of treasurer for many years and was a life vice President. The funeral was held last Tuesday and Dennis and Roy went to represent the society.