THE Trowbridge & District League held their AGM last week, with the end-of-season prizes handed out at the Wesley Road Club.

It was also confirmed that Trowbridge Windows, who have sponsored the league since the start of the 2010/11 season, would continue their support.

League president Ian Hibberd and vice chairman Phil Senior handed out the awards, with Shane Mansfield taking the Eddie Meaden referee’s award for the best upcoming new or young referee. Mansfield lives in Chippenham and works in Bristol, while outside of work he is a professional fighter, representing VT Jiu Jitsu Gym based in Chippenham.

This has been his first season as a referee, the highlight of which was referring the Knockout Cup final.

Trowbridge based referee Sam Gooding picked up the top referee award, handed out in memory of former league referee John McMackin, who passed away in 2013 at the age of 58.

John’s family wanted to give something to the league in which he refereed for 17 years and, with league referees appointment secretary Andy Meaden keen to introduce an award for the best official, the award was introduced.

Gooding, 37, only took up refereeing two years ago and although new to this role, he has been involved in local football in many capacities over the last 20 years.

He has managed Westbury United in the Toolstation League and helped start White Horse FC in the Trowbridge League after playing for Westbury United Reserves and Westbury Rangers for a number of years.

Martyn Spratt was named best club secretary following a superb first full season with Heytesbury, both on and off the pitch.

The villagers had a great season finishing as Division Two runners-up behind Holt, while Spratt’s communication with league officers and paperwork over the season has been exemplary.

For the fourth season on the bounce Roy Wenham, secretary of Calne Eagles, claimed the club correspondent award, receiving a trophy and a cheque for £30 for his match reporting efforts over the season.

Having had one of their best ever seasons on the pitch, Ade Giles’ Division Three outfit The Stiffs were rewarded for their fair play efforts as they picked up the Dudley Cradock Sportsmanship Award.

They recorded an average of 80.75 from their 16 league matches and as well as the cup, received a cheque for £100, as did Semington Magpies for topping Division One.

League newcomers Holt, who were crowned Division Two champions, showed that you can be competitive and play fair at the same time as they were also £100 better off as they finished top the their divisional fair play charts. For a second successive season, Zeals, who only joined the league two years ago, picked up the Club Linesman of the Season award with another impressive average of 8.57.

Their average was just a little more than fellow Division Three outfit The Stiffs, while Melksham Town A finished in third place.

Hilperton United just edged out Freshford United to take the accolade in Division One, both teams ahead of third-placed North Bradley.

Trowbridge Wanderers Reserves finished third in Division Two, with Worton & Cheverell second behind Allan Clarke’s White Horse side. Following the withdrawal or resignation of nine clubs from the 30 that kicked off the 2014-15 campaign, and with only five new entries for next season, it has been decided that the league will run with two divisions next term, each made up of 13 sides and kick-off on September 5.

Chris Birleson’s two-time defending champions Freshford United will still be the side to beat in Division One. Bradford United, who finished as runners-up last term, will be seen as their biggest challengers, especially after North Bradley opted to withdraw prior to the AGM.

Aces FC and Steeple Ashton 1901 (formerly FC Box Steam Brewery) have both gone from Division Three to One to allow them to operate a reserve team.

Existing sides Castle Combe, Hilperton United, Semington Magpies and Warminster Town Reserves will be joined by Loxul St Andrew (formerly Holt), Heytesbury and White Horse FC all moving up from Division Two, with Division Three winners Potterne and Westbury United Reserves, who were playing Wilts League football a year ago, making up the top tier.

Division Two welcomes four new teams in Aces Reserves, Loxul St Andrews Reserves, Steeple Ashton 1901 Reserves and AFC Bradley, who join Westbury Town, Trowbridge Wanderers Reserves, Calne Eagles and United FC, all existing members of the division.

Melksham Town A, who will be in with a huge shout of taking the title along with The Stiffs, Hilperton United Reserves, Zeals FC and relegated Trowbridge Town Reserves, complete the 13 teams who will all trying hard to get out of the division.

ROLL OF HONOUR 2014/15

Division One: Winners: Freshford United FC. Runners-up: Bradford United FC.

Division Two: Winners: Holt FC. Runners-up: Heytesbury FC.

Division Three: Winners: Potterne FC. Runners-up: FC Box Steam Brewery.

Leading scorers: Division One: Steve Roddy (Freshford United) 17. Division Two: Leigh Kennedy (Heytesbury) 27. Division Three: Jason Povey (FC Box Steam Brewery) 38.

A&B Cup (sponsored by Briken Motors & AM Print & Copy): Freshford United 2 Holt FC 0 AET.

Knockout Cup (sponsored by Chantry Digital Ltd): White Horse FC 3 Potterne FC 2.

Spring Cup (sponsored by E J Shanley & Son): Melksham Town A 3 FC Box Steam Brewery 0.

Centenary Remembrance Cup (sponsored by CDP Supply): North Bradley 5 Semington Magpies 1.

Wiltshire Junior Cup: Alderbury FC 4 Freshford United 2.

AWARD WINNERS

Dudley Cradock sportsmanship awards: Division One: Semington Magpies, £100; Bradford United, £75; Freshford United, £50. Division Two: Holt FC, £100; Worton & Cheverell, £75; Calne Eagles, £50. Division Three: The Stiffs, £100; Bratton, £75; Zeals FC, £50. Overall Winners: The Stiffs.

Club linesman’s awards: Division One: 1st Hilperton United, 2nd Freshford United, 3rd North Bradley. Division Two: 1st White Horse FC, 2nd Worton & Cheverell, 3rd Trowbridge Wanderers Reserves. Division Three: 1st Zeals FC, 2nd The Stiffs FC, 3rd Melksham Town A. Overall Winners: Zeals FC.

Eddie Meaden referee’s award: Shane Mansell.

John McMackin referee’s award: Sam Gooding.

Club secretary’s award: Martyn Spratt (Heytesbury).

Club correspondent’s award: Roy Wenham (Calne Eagles).