I HAVE read with interest the recent articles appearing in the Evening Press, ('Football teams win league fight', June 14) concerning the application by Duncombe Park and Old Malton to join the York Minor League.
The first point is to state that the York British Sugar Minor League is a 'York' League which has to affiliate to its nearest governing body - the North Riding County FA. North Yorkshire clubs have their own leagues.
For example the Richmondshire Junior League, with Duncombe Park being approximately equidistant between them and the Minor League.
I note that Ryedale MP John Greenway is taking full credit for the Duncombe Park and Old Malton clubs joining the Minor League - not so. Both these clubs were invited to the league's annual meeting before any contact was made by Mr Greenway!
Your reporters have quoted League Rule 1A which states a mileage of 15 miles from York Post Office - quite true.
But what they have forgotten to mention is the rest of the same rule, which states: "Existing member clubs and past member clubs shall still be eligible to apply for membership of the York Minor League if situated outside the current mileage restriction."
Old Malton intimated that they had been past members but could not remember when. A league official immediately checked the archives and verified that they were indeed members from the league's reformation in 1966 until 1980.
While checking these records it was also discovered that Duncombe Park had been members of the league for one season, 1980-1981. Both clubs were invited to attend the annual meeting and, after fulfilling conditions expected by all new applicants, were duly elected to the league.
Any club that does not satisfy either clause in Rule 1A would not be eligible to apply for membership of the league, even if the Prime Minister tried to intervene.
D Wilson,
Hon Secretary,
York British Sugar Association.
Manor Park Road,
Rawcliffe, York.
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