GREAT TIMES – AND MORE TO COME!
Chippenham, Royston and Hereford lead way
THERE was nothing but good news on the menu and new horizons to look forward to as the Southern League’s clubs celebrated season 2016-17 in Southampton.
Switched for the first time in years from Torquay to the home of the nation’s luxury liners and famous ‘Southampton Water’, nearly 300 guests gathered at The Grand Harbour Hotel as all 68 clubs hailed the campaign’s champions, cup kings, star players and best behaved sides.
The night’s accolades were handed out by EVO-STIK League South chairman Terry Barratt, president Keith Allen, league directors and guests of honour led by Clive Timmins from Bostik, parent company of title sponsors EVO-STIK.
Apart from marking another season of success on the pitch for individual clubs, they had plenty to celebrate off it collectively following news of a two year extension to their title sponsorship deal with EVO-STIK.
Boost
Announced only hours earlier at last Saturday’s Annual General Meeting, the financial boost was followed by the unveiling of BigFreeBet.com as new sponsors of the Southern League Challenge Cup and the election of a popular new vice-chairman in Merthyr Town’s Anthony Hughes.
The FA’s decision to ask the league to administer a new division at Step 3 for season 2018-19 hardly dampened spirits either after it was confirmed the number of automatic promotion place up for grabs in EVO-STIK League South East and EVO-STIK League South West would double next season!
The night’s loudest cheers were reserved for the newly rebranded EVO-STIK League South’s divisional champions Chippenham Town, Royston Town and Hereford and promotion play-off winners Leamington, Farnborough and Tiverton Town.
Hayes & Yeading United’s triumph in the League Challenge Cup and Hereford’s win over Royston in the Championship Cup were also remembered.
Aylesbury United’s sportsmanship as overall fair play kings was recognised, with Banbury United and Shortwood United earning their divisions’ respective fair play awards.
On-song Hereford were also named ‘Club of the Year’ by the EVOSTIK League South’s directors.