AFTER 50 years as secre-tary of the Basingstoke and District Football League, the town's Mr Football, Peter Raynbird, has announced his decision to stand down.

He told last Thursday's league annual meeting at Popley Fields Community Centre that the forth-coming centenary season would be his last. He would help organise next season's special centenary events but would finish in office at the 2004 AGM.

League chairman Barrie Hiscock thanked Mr Raynbird for his superb service to the league over the years and informed the meeting that June Balcombe would be appointed as assistant general secretary and eventually be his likely successor.

Mr Raynbird outlined plans for the 100-year celebrations, including reviving the six-a-side tournament, a representative match against the Hampshire FA and a centenary dinner at the Apollo Hotel, on Friday Novem-ber 21.

Guests from the Football Association, Hampshire FA and other associations and leagues in the county had accepted invit-ations to attend. Due to the limited number of seats avail-able, clubs would be balloted should demand exceed supply.

A book with the history of the league over its 100 years has been written by historian Norman Gannaway and is due to be published in October 2003.

Mr Hiscock informed members it would be on sale in local bookshops and he hoped all would be interested in obtaining a copy.

Jim Johnston, the Saturday section secretary, in presenting his 14th annual report, condemned a lack of discipline on the field of play.

"Foul and abusive language still exists in abundance and it's a sad refection on modern youth, it seems to me," he said. "Without the F-word a large number of players would be speechless, so why not play the game with your feet and not with your tongue. - It would be less expensive in the long run."

He also warned again that alcohol consumption in and around playing areas was totally banned. "It has not happened yet but how long will it be before some club is severely punished.

"Fines can range from £400 to £1,000. It is in the interests of all clubs to stamp out the foul lan-guage and stop alcohol con-sumption, to better relations and to encourage, recruit and retain match officials."

Mr Johnston also highlighted the growing concern about the falling number of Saturday clubs across north Hampshire. The Andover, Winchester and Basingstoke Leagues had been repre-sented at a special meeting where it was suggested a North Hants Alliance be formed, incorporating clubs these leagues and the North Hants League. All clubs had been asked their views but just one had replied.

The intitiative was not support-ed by the Basingstoke Saturday section management committee and, although some clubs did support the move, the majority said they did not want the extra travelling.

The viewpoint will be reported back to the North Hants FA committee meeting, along with the views of the other leagues involved.

David Nichols, the Sunday league secretary, in his annual report highlighted the number of fines clubs were incurring. "The figure was again up on the previous season and is it any wonder the cost of a game of football is in on the rise?"

Included in his report were the Hampshire FA final disciplinary figures for field offences in the season 2002-2003. There were 12,335 cautions, 1,734 sendings-off, 1,379 disrepute cases and 407 individuals with five cautions in the season. This made a total of 15,855 cases - an increase of 539 on the previous season.

League treasurer Melvyn Higgins reported a working deficit of £539 due to the purchase of two new photo-copiers. There was, however, a healthy bank balance of £18,562.

Mr Higgins warned there would be extra expenditure for the centenary season. Club fines showed an increase, from £4,336 to £5,293, and takings at cup finals were also up £806.

League president John Saun-ders presented the sportsmanship and top linesmen awards. Oakley Athletic won both trophies in the Saturday league and, on Sundays, Soldiers Return won the sports-manship cup and SJ the lines-men's award.

Overton United were congrat-ulated for selling 317 books in the end-of-season draw and were therefore entitled to 40 per cent of ticket sales. Match balls were presented to five clubs for selling 40 books - AFC Aldermaston, Oakley Athletic, AFC Wessex, Sherfield (Sunday) and Basingstoke Saints.

June Balcombe, the Sunday referee appointments secretary, presented the Gerald Merritt Cup for the outstanding level seven referee to Steve Lavender.

Clubs agreed the new season would start on August 30 and 31 and the Christmas break would be Saturday December 27 and Sunday December 28.

Council pitch fees will rise by £1 to £43.50. Clubs were reminded of the new rule that all clubs must have a first aid kit available at all matches.

Referees and management committee members will be asked to report clubs who do not comply.