West Lancashire League

HISTORY OF THE LEAGUE

1904-1955

The following Clubs provided the Foundation for the West Lancashire Football League when in 1905 the league was registered with the Lancashire Football Association and the first League games were arranged and completed.

 Bamber Bridge Corinthians :- Clayton Green :- Coppull Central :- Leyland Primitive Methodist :- Leyland Rubber Works :- Longridge :- Longridge Amateurs :- Penwortham United :- Saint Aidan's (Bamber Bridge) :- Walton-Le-Dale.

It is not clear what first inspired the founding of the League but the official registration with the Lancashire Football Association was recorded in 1905 under the League's original title of Preston and District Football Combination. Although the first League games were played in 1905, there are newspaper reports of matches being organised prior to this, similar to the "Challenge" matches that preceded the start of the Football League. The title of the League was changed in 1907 to "The West Lancashire League" to avoid confusion with the Preston and District League and to recognise the more extensive area the new League was already beginning to serve. At this time a restriction was set limiting the League to clubs with grounds or headquarters within 20 miles of Preston Town Hall. However, by the following year, special sanction was given for Morecambe F.C. to join despite being outside the designated area. The first 3 years were very tentative and of the 13 founder members only five remained for the second season; in the third season only three competed, Bamber Bridge Corinthians, Coppull Central and Longridge (who were the only founder member to complete the first 10 seasons leadin - to the first World War). Coppull Central missed just one season whilst they sampled life in the Lancashire Alliance League, then, having returned they went on to add another 13 seasons to their excellent record.

This was such a flimsy base from which to build and with only 7 clubs competing in 1907-08 the future must have looked bleak. The following year proved to be a turning point although it wasn't to be known at the time but the new clubs began to put down roots and build a foundation so that by 1915 the League had reached its full complement of 16 teams. In 1914 the declaration of World War I had intervened so, with an excellent record of 280 players and committee men from the 16 clubs answering the call to arms, the League was compelled to suspend all activities 'for the duration'. The men involved in the foundation, who must be considered as the prime movers, W.J.Archer, R.Armstrong, J.Kenny and A.E.Howarth, had a tremendous influence on formation and development and served for many years; the names of Messrs. Ashcroft, Hall and Kippax are also recorded but they appear to have served for only the first season. In 1908, the Earl of Derby accepted the position of President of the League with Lord Balcarres MP.for Chorley and Mr.Astbury MP.for Southport as Vice Presidents. Some clubs made their own prestige appointments. In 1909, the High Sheriff of Lancashire, R.A.Tatton Esq. accepted the Presidency of Bamber Bridge Corinthians. It would appear that the brunt of the work in the formative years was the work of four men, Walter Archer was the Deputy Treasurer and John Kenny the Deputy Surveyor of the Lancashire County Council, men of stature and determination with the administrative ability to build the foundations for what the Lancashire Football Association was to report in 1928 'The League is one of the oldest Junior Professional Leagues in the County and is controlled in a commendable manner'.

John Kenny who was appointed Chairman at the outset, became President in 1919 and served with distinction in both offices until he died in 1930. Walter Archer, who had served on the committee from 1904, took over the Presidency until he died in 1937. Albert Howarth, the Secretary for the first 14 years, continued to serve the League until 1950, primarily in connection with the Players Accident Fund. Robert Armstrong, another loyal servant served in many capacities from 1904 till 1933. The dedication of these pioneers created a League that gained the respect of the whole of the football fraternity and a record of long service and integrity combined with experience is a quality that is continued by the present Committee. It is interesting to see which Leagues the founding clubs came from, and it may be even more interesting to discover how they were recruited. A number of Leagues had already put down roots pre-1900 and were well established, so could it have been the success of the "Challenge" games that had been organised before the League was formed officially, Sadly we may never know. Perhaps some of the more ambitious aims of the new League attracted them. Certainly the League filled the gap between the more professional Senior and the purely Amateur clubs in the area. A curious fact is that, although the League was initially titled the Preston and District Football Combination, only one of the original clubs came from within the Town boundary (Preston Winckley). Perhaps the original title arose when the League was organising the "Challenge Matches" that had attracted teams throughout the area prior to official registration as a League.

The consequences of the formation of this 'new' League was especially serious for the Chorley Amateur League who lost 6 teams in the first season, the Leyland Amateur League who lost 2 teams and the Preston Amateur League 1 team. However, whilst they voiced their concern, it was the Lancashire Alliance that was to have the biggest cause for complaint. In 1908 they lost 5 teams including the key ones of Chorley Reserve and Southport Reserve, also Leyland who said they were leaving in order to increase their revenue with more local derby games. By 1911, two more of the Alliance teams had departed and although they did manage to recruit at the expense of the Wigan Amateur League it wasn't enough and the Alliance continued to decline. By 1912 the situation was desperate and a meeting was convened but with an insufficient number of Clubs attending, the Committee declared that the Alliance League had ceased to function in May 1912. The loss of a League that had once played a prominent part in the advancement of the game in the County does not appear to have caused any repercussions from the County Association. Perhaps it was accepted as one of the growing pains in the development of the game, with so many Leagues competing for their place in the sun and no one thinking what was best for the game itself. It really was survival of the fittest, and the West Lancashire League which was no exception, later suffered a similar fate to the Alliance League, the difference being was that the decline for the Alliance occurred just before the first World War when organised football at least was closing down anyway. Fortunately the problems for the West Lancashire League occurred soon after the Second World War when football was beginning to recover, so the League had the potential and opportunity to re-establish itself.

The original rules of the West Lancashire League had stipulated that clubs could be either amateur, or professional, and that grounds were to be fully enclosed to enable 'Gates to be taken'. Perhaps it was these two rules more than any others that attracted clubs with the ability to attract spectators, who would finance their ambitions to broaden their horizons and improve their status in a flourishing sport. The League had commenced with 14 teams; however, it is probable that Preston Winckley although registered, did not compete at all, Croston Albion and Longton disappeared from the league table by February 1906, and Garstang are not shown in the final table, so only 10 teams completed the first season and five of these founding Clubs did not take part the following season, not an auspicious start. Six more teams were recruited and perhaps it can be said that the teams that were lost were local teams whilst the new recruits would increase the area of interest and add to the status coming as they did from Southport (2), Blackburn. Fleetwood, Lytham and Great Harwood. These formative years must have been exciting. By 1911, the League had set a limit of 14 teams and demanded high standards both on and off the field, Leyland became the first West Lancashire League team to win the prestigious Lancashire Junior Challenge Shield beating future League members Breightmet. In 1913, the League was increased to its full complement of 16 teams which included Barrow Reserve, most decidedly outside the 20 mile limit set in 1907. The Furness club were so keen to join that they agreed to pay 30 shillings to each visiting Club to assist with the cost of travel. The League was subjected to some Clubs "trying out" for one or two seasons, but others were beginning to put down roots and their loyalty to the embryo League in these formative years played a valuable part in establishing the foundations on which to build. Founder members Longridge, stayed for 10 years until the outbreak of the 1914-18 war but then sadly didn't return until 1968. Another founder member, Coppull Central, continued until 1927 with just one season break while they sampled the Lancashire Alliance in 1909. Fleetwood, Lytham, Leyland, Horwich R.M.I., all Senior Clubs, contributed to give stability until the effect of the 1914-18 war was felt and Clubs were unable to raise full strength teams. The Committee took no action against the offending clubs whose patriotic record of "Rallying to the Flag" was tremendous

The ball used in the 1915 Richardson Cup Final played at Deepdale was sent to the North Lancashire Regiment stationed in France, and the season ended with the Clubs voting to close down the League 'For the duration of Hostilities'.

Activities restarted in 1919 with 10 teams 7 of which had played in the final season before the war .Coppull Central, Fleetwood, Lytham, Croston, Leyland, Hamilton Central, and Lancaster Town, all well respected pre-war Clubs provided the base upon which to rebuild. In 1921, the League welcomed the reserve teams of two then Football League clubs, Accrington Stanley and Southport, followed by the first of the "A" teams, Preston North End, joined in 1922 although this was for one season only. By the time they re-joined in 1930 the "A" teams of Bolton Wanderers, Blackburn Rovers and Burnley had become established to be followed by Bury. Blackpool and Liverpool along with the reserve teams of some of the County's senior Non-League clubs. In 1923, Croston became the first and only team to bring the Lancashire Junior Cup to the League.

Playing standards and prestige of the League must have been advanced by the acceptance of the "A" teams from the Professional Clubs, but it was inevitable that these teams would soon dominate the West Lancashire League and win all the honours to the extent of demoralising the more Junior Clubs who, unable to compete at this level, returned to their local leagues. The Management Committee, with hindsight, was to regret allowing the scale of this intrusion of the professional/part professional clubs. Another World War meant a suspension of activities from 1940 until 1946, when the League re-commenced with virtually the same teams plus five Football League Clubs who entered their "A" teams and five of the County's Senior Non-League clubs entered reserve teams in a 16 strong Division increased to 18 in 1947-48-49. This promising picture was soon to change however when the Lancashire Combination increased their League to two divisions of 22 teams each. By the early 1950's the West Lancashire League had lost 8 of their 18 teams to the Lancashire Combination, seven being the reserve teams of Accrington, Chorley, Lancaster, Lytham, Morecambe, Netherfield and Wigan who returned to their "Parent" league to join their first team in the Lancashire Combination. Hindsford severed a connection that had gone back to 1934, Astley Bridge who had joined in 1935 also resigned.

The depleted West Lancashire League persevered but the Competition was dominated more than ever by the "A" teams of Blackburn Rovers, Blackpool, Bolton Wanderers, Burnley and Preston North End, so when the Football League Clubs announced a re-formation of the Lancashire League and withdrew their teams only two clubs, Howard & Bullough who had only joined that season, and Whittingham C.M.H. who had a fine record of winning honours in the League Championship and the Richardson Cup, and unbroken record of membership from 1932 remained, so the Management Committee had no choice but sadly to cease activities in March 1954. The decision must have been heartbreaking for the President of the League John Twist, who had given 42 years dedicated and devoted service to the League, also for the Chairman Dick Ward who had given a similar Service for the past 32 years. They were the victims of circumstances over which they had no control, similar to those experienced by the Alliance League in 1912. The League had held to the principle of attracting "quality" Clubs with good facilities and nurtured them with a high standard of administration, discipline and integrity, They had established a reputation that is still enjoyed to-day and has played an influential and historic role in the development of the game in Lancashire.

The decision of the County's Football League clubs to re-form the Lancashire League exclusively for their "A" teams and the return to the Lancashire Combination of their Reserve teams, emphasised that the West Lancashire League had been too reliant on clubs whose first loyalty was elsewhere, a lesson seen with the benefit of hindsight not forgotten by the present League Management Committee. Many Clubs were in the process of forming or re-forming after World War II, but, for most, progress was slow, and the League Management Committee felt that they should not compromise their standards just to accommodate them. However although they were to suspend activities, the reputation and esteem that had been earned over the past 50 years could not be allowed to be forfeited so, due to the resolve of the President, John Twist, Chairman Dick Ward and to-day's President Harry Johnstone, the League was kept alive by continuing to register "The West Lancashire Football League" with the Lancashire Football Association, anticipating the need for a League to cater for the progressive Clubs that were to revive it in the future. For over 50 years the League had made a vital and valuable contribution to the football needs of the County, 97 clubs representing Towns, Villages, Major Hospitals, large Manufacturing Companies and teams from the County's Senior Professional Clubs had been accommodated, and nurtured, through the League which had earned an enviable reputation for the high standards achieved, both on and off the field and continues to be proud of its past contribution to the development of the game in the County. Although West Lancashire is only a small part of the area now served, the act of commitment to retain the title and with it the respect in which it is held was a vital decision and was significant in the campaign which led to the reformation in 1959.

THE DETERMINATION AND AMBITION OF THE FOLLOWING EIGHT CLUBS MADE THE REVIVAL POSSIBLE :-. BLACKPOOL MECHANICS,...... BLACKPOOL RANGERS,...... ENGLISH ELECTRIC (WARTON)....... FLEETWOOD....... LYTHAM ST. ANNES,...... SPRINGFIELDS,...... WHITEGATE JUNIORS,......WREN ROVERS ..................

In 1959,a number of well known football enthusiasts were prominent in pressing for a resumption of The West Lancashire League. These included Harold Ashworth, Walter Jepson, Fred Hesketh and Ken Parr, all from the Fylde area of the County who, together with just eight clubs moved for the re-formation. After meeting them informally, the League President, John Twist supported by his Chairman Dick Ward, and nine committee members convened a Special Meeting held at the N.A.L.G.O. club in Preston on the 3rd. July 1959. Following this informal meeting, the Blackpool Gazette carried a report from the prospective Secretary of the League, Mr.Ken Parr :-

“ Plans are being made to revive the WEST LANCASHIRE LEAGUE, although, with only eight clubs,things will be a little austere for the first season, but in two or three years time by playing good football we will attract other clubs so that the League will be the strongest of its kind, and one of the Premier Competitions in the North embracing both amateur and semi-professional players”.

The eight clubs making application, who mainly came from the Fylde Area, felt that with their success in the local Leagues and the standard of their facilities, the time had arrived when they should seek to improve their status. They must have impressed the Committee with their determination and ambition and, as a result the meeting decided to revive the League and accept the formal applications of all eight Clubs. The Chairman John Twist, welcomed the Clubs with the words 'You are pioneers in a new phase of the West Lancashire League'. Sadly he wsn’t to see the fulfilment of his statement, for soon after the November Management Committee meeting John Twist died after a short illness. He had served the League for 47 years including the past 12 years as President, a sad loss especially at a time when his experience would have been invaluable. The League suffered another bereavement when Jack Lambert also passed away in November ,another loyal servant who had served for 30 years. Two more committee men retired, Messers. W. Furnival (24yrs) and A.F.Kirby (12yrs). For various personal reasons others did not wish to continue, a grand total of 113yrs. invaluable experience lost at such a critical time.

How fortunate the Committee was to be able to replace such men, and it was a testimony to the League that men of the calibre of Harold Ashworth, Walter Jepson, Jack Kelly and a little later Harold Eccles, were willing and able to give so freely of their experience and time. It was also a measure of their commitment that once the decision had been made to revive the League, the first Management meeting was held only seven days later. Much work had to be done after a four years complete break but the meeting committed themselves to starting the season on the first Saturday in September, only two months away, and with just eight teams. The League competition was planned to be played in the first half of the season and the Richardson Cup games in the second half. They even found time to discuss the venue for the Cup Final and the possibility of an Inter-League match. Within days, both Preston North End and Blackpool had given a promise of the use of their Grounds, and such was the esteem in which the League was still held, that the promise of practical support was given so freely and so promptly. The first season was not without teething problems as could be expected, but there was nothing that the Committee couldn't handle. The Lancashire Football Association confirmed Full Member status for the League and the Blackpool Gazette promised 200 words per week for news and results, The Lancashire Evening Post also agreed to allocate space to the League. The referees list was soon filled, and further applications had to be declined.

At the end of the first season, Fleetwood Reserve were League Champions with Blackpool Mechanics runners-up. Blackpool Rangers won the Richardson Cup on Deepdale with Fleetwood Reserve runners-up. Plans to play an Inter-League game on Bloomfield Road were postponed until early in the following season, Whitegate Juniors resigned at the end of the first season and English Electric (Preston) took their place, so the League remained only eight strong. At the Management Committee meeting held in June 1960 a most important decision was made which was to influence the future of the League. This was the appointment of Harold Eccles as League Secretary. His work throughout this period of the most extensive development in the history of the League was outstanding, the standards he set and the benefits from his exceptional administrative and organisational abilities remain with us to-day.

An Inter-League match against the Preston & District League was arranged for September 1960 and was played on Bloomfield Road. Both Leagues agreed that all the players would be "Amateurs" but the West Lancashire League expressed their displeasure when they found the agreement had not been respected by the opposition. An invitation to join a "Four League Competition" to be played on Bloomfield Road was sent to the Blackburn Combination, Bolton Combination and the Chorley & District Leagues, but this had to be withdrawn on the instruction of the County Association. The first years of the re-formation were very tentative, however, after accepting applications from English Electric Preston,(now British Aerospace) Freckleton, Lytham, Springfields and Squires Gate, some progress was being made with quality clubs who had the ambition to progress; also it was vital to keep up the momentum if the reformation was to be successful. By 1962, the League had almost doubled. Those superb ambassadors Vickers Sports Club under the guidance of that exceptional gentleman Wilson Carradus M.B.E. joined from Barrow-in-Furness as did the first of the Clubs from East Lancashire, the reserve teams of Accrington Stanley and Great Harwood. When Blackpool Mechanics first team were promoted to the growing Lancashire Combination the reserve team took their place.

The Management Committee was in danger of allowing history to repeat itself by accepting the reserve teams of Lancashire Combination Clubs into the League. Perhaps the numbers involved were considered insignificant at this stage of development, but precedents were again being established that would affect the future. Ten more applications in 1964 was enough to start a Second Division for the first time in the history of the League, the expansion attracted even more applications from the reserve teams of many of the County's Senior Non-League clubs, Morecambe, Padiham, Rossendale Utd., followed by Darwen, Clitheroe and Chorley. In the first ten years of rebuilding, the League had grown from eight to thirty six with the Clubs spread throughout the whole of Lancashire and into Cumbria. By 1973, it had two Divisions of 20 teams and in addition a reserve Division of 16 teams. However, external influences were soon to create problems; the once impressive Lancashire Combination was losing its best Clubs to the Cheshire County League and they were looking to the West Lancashire League amongst others, to make up their shortfall. Wren Rovers joined the Lancashire Combination in 1972 to be replaced in the West Lancashire League by their reserve team who were accepted into the second Division. Colne Dynamoes went in 1975 but their reserve team stayed in the League until the tragic demise of the Club in 1989. The Management Committee was in danger of allowing history to repeat itself by accepting the reserve teams of Lancashire Combination Clubs into the League. Perhaps the numbers involved were considered insignificant at this stage of development, but precedents were again being established that would affect the future. Ten more applications in 1964 was enough to start a Second Division for the first time in the history of the League, the expansion attracted even more applications from the reserve teams of many of the County's Senior Non-League clubs, Morecambe, Padiham, Rossendale Utd., followed by Darwen, Clitheroe and Chorley. In the first ten years of rebuilding, the League had grown from eight to thirty six with the Clubs spread throughout the whole of Lancashire and into Cumbria. By 1973, it had two Divisions of 20 teams and in addition a reserve Division of 16 teams. However, external influences were soon to create problems; the once impressive Lancashire Combination was losing its best Clubs to the Cheshire County League and they were looking to the West Lancashire League amongst others, to make up their shortfall. Wren Rovers joined the Lancashire Combination in 1972 to be replaced in the West Lancashire League by their reserve team who were accepted into the second Division. Colne Dynamoes went in 1975 but their reserve team stayed in the League until the tragic demise of the Club in 1989.

Many other West Lancashire League Clubs were being approached by the Lancashire Combination to join them but it was to their credit that most stayed loyal. The pressure receded at least for the time being, as the Lancashire Combination, formed in 1891 went into decline and that League, which at one time had been considered to be one of the finest semi-professional Leagues in the Country finally merged with the Cheshire League (after already having lost their best Clubs to them) to form the North West Counties League. The formation in 1968 of the Northern Premier League, and North West Counties League in 1982 established the apex of the Northern section of the Non-League Pyramid and this had a knock on effect throughout the North West. The result was that history did repeat itself when the Clubs who had joined the North West Counties League were also encouraged to withdraw their reserve teams from the West Lancashire League to help form a Reserve Division of the new League.

The loss of these reserve teams was not so serious this time and eventually the West Lancashire League became stronger for it. Many applications from new clubs were on hand but the quality of these ambitious clubs was not always immediately acceptable. However many fine Clubs were recruited and in 1979 the Committee supported by the Member Clubs felt able to make an important amendment to the constitution to the effect that in future no reserve team would be accepted into the league unless accompanied by their first team. This decision did not affect any reserve teams who were already members of the League. Numerically, the League was at its strongest in the early 1970's with 40 clubs plus 16 reserve teams, but as most were without the advantage of floodlights, this necessitated too many night matches often calling for long journeys and early evening kick-offs. This was not an ideal situation. However this cushion of a surfeit of Clubs was to make it easier for the League to adapt to the changes taking place, and was to our benefit when the re-organisation of Leagues and the consequent movement of Clubs throughout the North West was completed.

By the late 1970's, the League had settled down and the decision was made to limit the First and Second Divisions to 18 teams, (or less when there were no acceptable applicants.) By 1984 the Reserve Division had also grown too large for one division and as the desire was to accommodate as many member clubs as possible, the single division was made into two, these were initially planned on two geographical "Zones", (North West & South East), which attracted more Reserve teams from member Clubs. In 1993 the geographical "Zones" were replaced by Reserve Division 1 & 2 with promotion and relegation operating between the two. By 1994-5 the League was accommodating 27 reserve teams of Member Clubs whilst maintaining two Senior Divisions of 18 teams each. From the 1980's onwards the League became more stable, although there was always bound to be some movement of Clubs both in and out; Holker Old Boys & Squires Gate (1991), Burnley Bank Hall & Nelson in (1992), Haslingden (1993) moved to the North West Counties League and although the League was sad to see them go, they all went with our best wishes. The loss was cushioned by the knowledge that there were Clubs with excellent facilities making application to join though it was still like losing a part of the family.

Sadly some Clubs had their membership cancelled due to deteriorating standards. In fairness to the Clubs like Wigan Rovers etc., this was usually caused by persistent vandalism or in the case of Colne British Legion and Wyre Villa a poor playing surface over which they had little control. The last two Clubs, through their determination, were later to make a welcome return, the efforts of Wyre Villa being especially commendable when after only two seasons absence they returned with a fine new ground and with excellent facilities to complement it. Colne British Legion were to suffer from losing their membership owing to the poor condition of their ground, then being fortunate to be able to return to the League having obtained the use of Colne Dynamoes old ground at Holt House. Sadly they were obliged to resign within five seasons due to the vandalising of that fine stadium built by Graham White or his beloved Dynamoes. Anchor Cables and Lucas Sports were forced to resign when their facilities were sold by their Companies; This was a sorry, but not unexpected story of the loss of fine Clubs who had been great ambassadors for the League and for the area they represented. All these and many others have been lost to the game for reasons beyond their control as very few have returned to a local League. Blackpool Rangers, one of the eight Clubs that helped in the reformation seemed to just fade away through apathy, which is probably the saddest reason for the loss of a once proud club who had been members for 34 years and the only member Club to have won the Lancashire Amateur Cup, they could name a number of ex-professionals in their teams. One of the strengths of the league throughout this period was the ability to recruit Clubs with standards of play and facilities that complimented, and, in some cases, enhanced the league and they continue to do so. Without selecting any particular Club, I can say that every one recruited has brought something that has added to the prestige of the League.

I am very proud to be associated with the West Lancashire League and the people involved, be they Committee Men and Women of clubs, or the League Management Committee, but to seek out any Club or Individual would be invidious. However this record would be very wrong if tribute wasn't paid to the Officials of the Clubs and Management Committee both past and present who have made such a valuable contribution to the game of Football. Whilst you can count the years of dedicated and devoted service they have given, we will never know how much of their personal time and money they have put into the Sport, mostly without reward or recognition. The game itself would never have progressed without them, and I am concerned for the future of our Clubs and their ability to replace these exceptional people. At the Annual Presentation evening, they stand and applaud the players as they are the collecting Awards for being successful at playing a game they enjoy. It is very satisfying see the reverse when players give a show of appreciation to the back room stalwarts who are the lifeblood of the Clubs and the game of football, the camaraderie between our clubs is one of our much valued strengths. The League Management has always been represented at the Lancashire Football Association, and a past President of the League, Norman Banks represented the County at the Football Association who also served as a Team Selector in the glory days of English International Football. When Norman Banks died in 1970 he was succeeded by Jack Kelly, recognised as one of the country's finest F.I.F.A. referees and an expert in the laws of the game and a sterling supporter of the League's and the County's referees by his work as an Lancashire F.A.Councillor.

To-day 2002-2003 the League is recognised as the Senior Supply League in the County and is the only Lancashire based league on Level Four of the “National League System”. The League currently has 46 teams in five divisions, (2700 players registered). The playing standard can be judged by the success in the Lancashire Challenge Shield which has been won by our Clubs thirteen times in the past seventeen years and on nine of these occasions the League has provided both Finalists. In 1992, and again in 1995 and 2002 a record was created when all four Semi-Finalists came from the League. The strength of the Second Division is also indicated by the appearance of five teams including three winners of the Shield in the Final Tie. Member Clubs Holker Old Boys, Leyland Motors, Lancashire Constabulary Feniscowles, Fulwood Amateur, Garstang, Kirkham & Wesham and Charnock Richard have also been honoured to be invited by the Lancashire Football Association to represent the County in the Northern Inter-County Competition. The National Lottery promises millions of pounds for the 'Promotion and Development of Sport' but without the men and women devoted to the grass roots of the game working behind the scenes, Sport will lose out in the challenge for the hearts and minds of the future generation no matter how much money is available. One of the minimum criteria to qualify for money from the National Lottery is that it is for "Capital Projects" only and the claimants must demonstrate 'self help' in their ability to 'match' the funding. The Football Association are also offering, quite rightly, assistance on a similar basis but Clubs have not only to demonstrate a need but also the organisation, ability and commitment that the money will be used wisely.