CHAIRMAN John Morris looked forward to a 'momentous year for the Marches League' when he greeted club delegates and guests to the league's annual meeting at the Imperial Hotel in Hereford on Monday.

Morris explained that the league was now about to assimilate clubs from the defunct Hereford and District League into the Flint & Cook Marches League and new entrants would mean more than 20 new teams in the competition for 2004.

"The future is ripe for this league," he said. "There are endless possibilities for the promotion of standards and competitiveness."

Morris paid tribute to long-serving secretary Gareth Evans and vice-chairman Richard Hope, both of whom had decided to stand down from their posts.

Presentations were made to the pair and to Steve Newton, who had audited the league's books.

Treasurer Jim Sandford reported a surplus of almost £400 on the season, leaving a balance of more than £4,000.

Applications to join the league from Almeley, Bartestree 3rd, Bishop's Frome, Bishop's School, Bosbury, Brockhampton 3rd, Colwall 3rd, Eastnor 3rd, Ewyas Harold, Hay 2nd, Hereford, Hereford 2nd, Herefordians, Kington 4th, Lads' Club, Ledbury 2nd, Presteigne, Shirebulls, Strollers, Weobley, Whitecross and Woolhope 2nd were all approved.

League fixture secretary Mike Rouse reported, however, that Crickhowell had decided to withdraw their 2nd team from the competition.

Derrick Jones, of Bartestree, was elected as the new league secretary while John Jones of Brockhampton will fill the vice-chairman's position.

Joe Brown, of Moccas, and Martin Skirrow, of Strollers, were elected to an expanded general committee while John Morris, chairman, Jim Sandford, treasurer, and Mike Rouse, fixture secretary, were all re-elected to their positions.

Presentations were made by Gerrard Flint and Wendy Wargen, of sponsors Flint & Cook, to the individual winners and the respective divisional winners - Monmouth, Division 1; Wellington, Division 2; Luctonians 3rd, Division 3; and Goodrich 2nd, Division 4.