With the season now over league secretary, Ken Moore, looks back on the year's highs and lows.

We began with three division but the season didn't start too well with three teams from the top division resigning before a ball had even been kicked - this didn't bode well. This meant fixtures had to be quickly rearranged however, in traditional Invitation League style, we just got on with it.

The league really struggled to get a referee for every game, every week and consequently over 50 games had to be postponed and rearranged. This is a problem suffered by most leagues in the country because, unfortunately, there are very few people wanting to take up refeering.

On a positive note, the following deserve a special mention:

League and Cup winners East End WMC; Newton Aycliffe SC who were Division One runners up; Pepper DS completed the double for the second season running by winning the Division Two title and the Cup; Cleveland Bridge have been promoted in consecutive seasons; Newton Cap also completed the double by winning the Division Three title and Cup; Smith & Allan turned things round and were promoted to Division Two.

The League held its annual presentation on May 29 in a marquee at the RA Ground and an excellent turnout saw over 250 in attendance. The 230 trophies were kindly presented by Darlington FC assistant manager, Martin Gray, and thanks to him for coming along to do the honours.

I would like to mention a few people who deserve thanks for their work this season:

All the team secretaries for their work. It's a thankless task that gets little credit; the league's management committee - many thanks for your work; the referees for their support throughout the season and our sponsors The Northern Echo.

Special mentions also go to: League chairman Peter Thompson who writes the match reports; Neil Jollie for appointing referees; Darlington RA for allowing the League to hold the presentation evening, stage Cup Finals and League meetings; Alpha Radio DJ Mike Patterson who regularly mentions the League on his shows.

All in all it was another good season for the League. Good luck to England in Euro 2004!