Retford United FC

The Baris North Midlands U19s League has confirmed that the constitution will be slightly different next year to the benefit of the Badgers U19s.

The Under 19s will compete in the new look 10 team Baris North Midlands U19s League, Division One this season after a change from the old 3 division format.

The league management committee has made the following announcement.

"At last night’s League Management Committee meeting the format of the League for the coming season was finalised. As you may be aware we have had one or two late withdrawals (after the AGM) from the League and a similar number of late applications/additions. We have delayed final decisions about the format until we were as sure as possible of the numbers of clubs involved for next season."

"We have a total of 21 clubs with us for next season and following lengthy discussions and consultation with a number of member clubs intend to arrange the League into two divisions. It was generally felt that the three division format would leave clubs with possibly too few fixtures. This will, of course, mean rather more League fixtures than in previous years but still well within our agreed League limit of twelve clubs per division. We will not be running the Mini Shield Competition for the coming season so that member clubs can concentrate on their League commitments."

"As you will be aware, the Management Committee has always recognised the difficulties under which many of our clubs operate. We understand that our Under 19 teams are often low in the ‘pecking order’ in terms of ground use/fulfilment of fixtures etc. at their respective clubs and consequently Brian Bradley, our Fixture Secretary, works hard to ‘fit in’ with member teams in the fulfilment of fixtures. In the light of the increased fixture load for the coming season we would, therefore, stress the importance of member clubs making every effort to fulfil fixture obligations on the set dates. Having consulted a number of clubs before making decisions about the format of the League for the coming campaign we have been given assurances which we would expect clubs to keep and not call fixtures off or refuse fixtures for anything other than the most demanding of reasons."

The two divisions will be made up as follows:-

Division One
Arnold, Hallam, Handsworth, Pinxton, Retford United, Sheffield, Southwell, Staveley, Teversal, Worksop (10 clubs)

Division Two
Basford, Buxton, Carlton, Dunkirk, Harworth, Maltby, Matlock, Ollerton, Parkgate, Sandiacre, West Bridgford (11 clubs)

The draw for the opening two rounds of the league cup has also been made and the draw is as follows

Round 1

Parkgate v Handsworth
Basford v Arnold
Buxton v Staveley
Teversal v Retford
Worksop v Pinxton
(All remaining clubs have byes)

Round 2

Matlock v Dunkirk
Sandiacre v Ollerton
Parkgate or Handsworth v Sheffield
Basford or Arnold v Maltby
Buxton or Staveley v Worksop or Pinxton
Harworth v Teversal or Retford
Southwell v Carlton
West Bridgford v Hallam

The league fixtures will be announced next week, there may be some changes to friendlies due to the new look league set ups so watch this space for more.