Game over for league

CRICKET:

ASHTON and District Sunday League was wound up at its annual meeting, after 51 years of amateur football.

When Kippax FC resigned at the end of the last campaign and Khartoum Northern withdrew, just seven sides were left, making another season unfeasible. The league once boasted three divisions.

Press secretary Bryan O’Neill said: “The threat of the league folding has been looming, and the inevitable has happened.

“Bob Wilding and league president Alun Jones have almost 100 years service to the ADSFL between them, so it’s a sad moment.

“The league would like to wish all it’s member teams all the success they deserve, in whichever league they participate in during the forthcoming season.”

Chairman Peter Bird thanked committee members Neil Elliot, Rene Elliot, Steve McKenna, David Cheetham and O’Neill for their hard work and dedication over the years.

Of last season’s teams, Shaw Rovers will be interviewed by Oldham Sunday League chiefs on Monday to discuss the possibility of playing in one of their divisions.

Dog & Partridge are joining the Rochdale and District Sunday League, while Golden Buck, Charlestown, Moston Labour Club, Home Guard and Warwick United are keen to enter the Tameside Sunday League.

Oldham Sunday League secretary Val Broadbent said: “It’s very sad to see.”