CHAIRMAN’S REPORT - Kieron Cotter - AGM - 9th June 2003

May I welcome you all to the West Surrey Youths League AGM for the end of the 2003 season. This has been my forth year as your Chairman and I would like to thank the Clubs and our Management Committee for their continued support.

I hope you will forgive me but I really believe that all your Management Committee deserve a mention. As they are very rarely praised.

I am delighted to tell you that all our current league officers have agreed to remain in office for a further year, which highlights their commitment to the running of this league.

Forgive me for not mentioning there names individually, but last year I mistakenly missed a name from the list so this year I would like to thank them all collectively.

The league goes from strength to strength and as the league grows so does the work load. Which means more hands to the pumps. It takes a great deal of organisation and time to ensure that the league is able to provide football for you all.

And yesterday highlighted this commitment. At our presentation day we had a tremendous response for help from the league officers who spent all day setting up the trophies and getting the hall ready for each of the eight presentation sessions. I have spoken to the management here at Imber Court and they estimate that during the eight hours we were here at least 2,500 people attended and we presented over 1200 trophies.

And although not a league officer but my thanks to Bob Green from Aldershot Town who also gave his time up yesterday to assist us.

I am sure you will agree with me that your committee deserves generous recognition and a big thank you.

Of course from time to time events don’t go according to plan but when help is needed support is very close at hand, and its that’s support that makes your Management Committee unique.

Even off the pitch football can be an emotive sport and I urge you all to remind your managers, in particular,  that being short tempered with any of our committee achieves nothing. And also to remember there are always two sides to a story and that we are your adjudicators and take no sides.

Your Management Committee not only have day jobs but many are involved in organising football for there own clubs, yet they found time to help run the league.

I would like to add my own heart felt thanks for their commitment and support and it has been an absolute pleasure to work with you all.

I am sure that you, along with me you would like to show your thanks to the Management Committee for all the time and effort they have made in organising youth football this season.

I am delighted to say that we have   5 new League Officers who have volunteered to help with running the League next season they are, Paul & Anne Richards, Graham Ekins, Lynn Francis and Frank Thompson, welcome and my thanks for taking the time to help us in running the league.

The cup achievements of this league last season 2002/2003 has been the most successful in the leagues history we are Surrey County champions in the  U11, 12, 13, 14 ,  16 and 18.

And Inter league Challenge Cup Champions at under 11, 13 and 15 and runners up in the under 14’s and 3^rd in the U12’s

I am sure you will agree with me that these are enormous achievements and only go to prove that the WSYL is a centre of excellence for youth football in Southern England, and we are proud  that we are able to give so many children the opportunity, not only to enjoy themselves but also to make new friends.

For next season we have attracted over 370 teams, which will means our players membership will be in excess of 6000. This is an increase of teams joining us, which numbered 316 last season. (2002/03)

On matters concerning discipline, this has been the worst season for bad behaviour. Not from the players but from club managers and spectators. We have had to deal with over 40 complaints. In past seasons the number of  complaints we have had to deal with was usually in the region of 12.

It does not seem to bother clubs that we refer them to Surrey County FA or expel managers. I wish I knew the answer, we will continue to fairly hear all complaints but clubs must take responsibility for the actions of their officials and spectators.

Again this year saw no increase in our subscription fees. This is a great achievement considering we have no sponsor.

May I now make mention of the Surrey County Girls league, as many of you know I and other members of this league are members of that leagues management committee. We were asked last year by Surrey County FA to assist in formulating the new league, which we did.

The girl’s league has been a tremendous success and like this league next season will see the girls league increasing in stature. However because of the continued success of this league and the growth of the girls league I and Dave Workman, our League Secretary are running out of hours in the day. It is therefore the decision of both Dave and myself that we will have to stand down from the girl’s league at the end of next season 2003/04. This is so that we can concentrate all our time to the WSYL.

We still have a need for a sponsor and we still are seeking a partner in this area, although we have had several interested companies. Again the benefits of a sponsor will be channelled back into the membership.

May I thank you for your continued support and I continue to be extremely proud to be able to represent the WSYL. May I wish you all a well earned rest this summer and my very best wishes to you, your families and to all your teams, and the very best of luck for the coming season.

………………………………................

Kieron Cotter

09//06/2003