I would like to take this opportunity to reflect on the season and work done by the society.

Meetings

After an unfortunate need to change the venue at the start of the season, I would have to say I am very pleased with our new ''home.''

The comments I have heard from other members appear the same, we are getting a regular attendance and the staff at the Sylvan couldn't be more helpful. After the debates, which were held at the start of the season, it was my intention to take a vote at the AGM if we should approach Altrincham again to return. Although at our last committee meeting we unanimously agreed our recommendation would be stay at the Sylvan, next season. I think there is a need to end our nomadic existence.

Again I am pleased at the quality of our speakers and events this year. The Football League referees have been approach thanks to Eddie's contacts and my thanks go to him. The talks by Dave Pugh, George Cain and Tony Leake were all excellent and gave us an insight into refereeing on the Football League. Mention must also go to Keith for running the quiz and I hope we can turn this into an annual event.

We have also held three training nights, two by Eddie, with videos of games and a training night with scenes acted out by various members of the committee. We are committed to providing training for members, mainly through discussion, as there is no right and wrong in many areas, and see this as a key role for the society.

We have continued to provide RA supplies at meeting thanks to Anthony for this, in particular providing supplies from Cavendish Sports, for which the society receives a commission.

Social Events

I felt the football against Crewe was an excellent night and thanks go to all those who organised the match and evening, in particular George and Adrian. Thanks also to Mr Phillips and the match officials. Victory went to Altrincham, which gave us out second trophy of the year.

The first being victory in the County quiz, with a team of Adrian Richardson, Richard Bartlett, Ian Woller and Mike Burberry. By all accounts this was a good evening, although it is disappointing that lack of support for such events means the county is unable to run a 5-a side competition. This gives an indication of the current difficulties in recruiting and retaining referees.

Committee

All the members of the committee have indicated a desire to continue, subject to approval at the AGM. I would have to say I believe the work of the current committee is as good as any other society in the County. This is borne out by a comment heard at the football match from a Crewe member, who said other societies held Altrincham RS in high esteem, with the events organised and the support received by the members.

Although we will have a settled committee we are recommending a rule change in respect of the Presidents role. When Brendan took the role he said he did not believe the job should be for life but other people should have the chance to be President of the society.

Therefore subject to agreement by the members we are recommending that the position of President should be the same as the Chairman and have a two-year tenure. This was discussed at the committee meeting and we believe we have a number of people who would be suitable candidates, and in my opinion the current rule is unfair as this does not give other long standing members the chance to take up the Presidents role. There are many other societies locally where the key positions of the society are for ''life'' and this does not bring in new faces and new ideas.

Fund raising

Many thanks again go to Eddie for all his hard work. I do not believe there can be another society in the country that achieves as much as Altrincham here. Many thanks for all your hard work Eddie. Thanks also go to Phil (K) for keeping the books in good order.

Promoting the society

Phil (T) has again worked to promote the society in the local press, and our meetings are advertised in the MEN Pink. We almost had Granada TV down to the football match v Crewe for their local football slot on Soccer Sunday. Phil spoke to Granada, and they contacted us and asked for details of the match although the final Soccer Sunday program of the season was the week before. Our page on the Internet (http://come.to/altyreferees) also promotes the society, during the year I have had inquiries from new referees and another contact from Granada who looking to make a film about the amount of abuse and violence that referees have to deal with. They are trying to find any footage - amateur or otherwise - of bad behaviour being directed at refs - at any level of the game. They were also keen to talk to any refs who have experienced at first hand particularly severe abuse or violence. I directed them to the County FA. This season, we have put posters up in referees dressing rooms advertising society meetings, and sent the RA posters to local leisure centres to promote the new referees courses. Also we have the magazine And finally......

I would like to thank all the committee members who have worked this year to make the various events happen.

In particular to Denis for his role as secretary and as my right hand man for the last two years. Good luck to Eddie in his role as chairman and also to Man City in the play off's! (we may need it.)

Regards

Alan Budenberg