A WIDELY unpopular decision made by the Wiltshire FA could jeopardise the expanding Trowbridge and District Football League which next season will have 39 teams competing five more than the last campaign.

At the league's annual meeting on Friday league secretary Ian Hibbard warned a new central system of allocating referees for a one-year trial period may result in some matches not being covered by a qualified official.

For years the league has been blessed with virtually all matches covered thanks to the work of Phil Senior who is retiring both as referee and fixture secretary at the end of next season.

Mr Hibbard said: "If we do have a game where a referee fails to show up the responsibility will rest with club members to agree for someone to take charge and get the game played. Failure to do so will result in a fine."

Development officer Tim Penwell said: "Hopefully our fears will prove unfounded but we will be watching this like a hawk from kick-off on September 4.

"Any deterioration in a trusted and well proved system will be detrimental to any future sponsorship deals. This does not seem the way to promote the growth of grass roots football."

Referees' match fees have increased to £13 and travelling expenses to 23p per mile.

For the next three years at least the league will be known as the Revolutions Trowbridge and District Football League following successful negotiations with the Chippenham-based restaurant business who had been supporting the Knockout Cup competition for the last two years.

Mr Hibbard said: "It is gratifying that a business located on the fringes of our area of operation holds the league in such high regard that it feels able to support us in this manner."

Revolutions succeed Premier Training International after three years.

The new Knockout Cup sponsors are Fox Leisure and Sportswear UK Ltd of Westbury who, as part of the package, will reward the outstanding team performances in each round.

The loss of Castle Combe and Bromham Reserves to county football and The Deverills running only one team, has been more than compensated by the successful applications of eight new teams. Seven AFC Trowbridge Wanderers, St Andrews, Calne Eagles, Rudloe Reserves, FC Chippenham, Bradford Town Reserves and Castle Combe A will help form a 15-strong Division Three.

Former Bath and District Division One outfit CS Filos go straight into Division Two comprising 13 sides including Steeple Ashton, who have earned a reprieve from relegation.

Dynamo West End have also won a second chance after finishing second from bottom in Division One where Warminster Town Reserves have accepted an invitation to fill the position vacated by Castle Combe. Several Division Two sides who finished above Warminster declined promotion.

Division One will operate with 11 teams.

Blue Circle and Lavington and Easterton are relegated, from Division One and Two respectively.

The top three sides in Division Two, North Bradley Saints, Trowbridge United and Bradford United, are promoted. Division Three champions Seend United Reserves and runners-up Castle Combe Reserves, are promoted along with third and fourth placed sides, FC Northbridge and Seymour Athletic, formerly Dilton Marsh.

Seymour are one of three clubs to change their name. Dursley Arms become The Lamb and Lavington and Easterton have dropped Easterton.

Seend United and Frome Town Sports A were overall joint winners in the Dudley Cradock Sportsmanship awards, each picking up a cheque for £100 as did Dursley Arms as Division Two winners. Runners-up Frome Town Sports, North Bradley Saints and Bromham Reserves received a £75 cheque with Heytesbury, Trowbridge United and Bradford United Reserves being presented with a £50 cheque. Frome Town Sports, Hilperton United, who were the overall winners with the highest average in all three divisions, and newcomers Semington Magpies lifted the linesman trophies.

Bob Arberry received the Eddie Meadon trophy as the most promising new referee and Hilperton's Paul Butcher took the club secretary of the year award.

Paul Newbury (Rudloe), Graham Akers (Warminster Town) and Shawn House (Castle Combe Reserves) were the top correspondents in their divisions.

Frank Toomer and Paul Stone also received awards on becoming life vice-presidents of the league.

Before the meeting members observed a minute's silence in memory of the late Jack Stevens who was league and cup secretary from 1952-1968.