League get tough on respect

EVIDENCE that the D & J Builders (North-West) Ltd Oldham Sunday League is taking the 'Respect' agenda seriously comes with the news that six players have had their registrations withdrawn and a further five suspended.

Steve Diggle (vice-chairman), Jack Bamford (chairman) and Eddie Aspin (referee secretary) looked at the list of players registered and, as part of the campaign, has taken action to remove players who it was felt do not uphold the values of amateur football or have persistently caused problems in the past.

The move has been widely praised throughout the league.

Bamford said: “Referees have a hard enough job as it is.

“Their decisions might not be right every time but they are doing their best.

“Eddie told me that unless we did something this season, we simply would not get enough referees next year because they would all move on to different leagues.

“We have already lost four or five because they could not cope with the abuse being thrown in their direction, they didn’t want any part of it.

“Last season a number of matches were abandoned due to trouble — and that is unacceptable.

“Having

started a new campaign, we are now trying to nip the problem in the bud and it is working.”