The
Bracknell Town and District Sunday Football League was originally
formed in 1963, with just one division. Over the intervening years
the league expanded in size to comprise seven divisions with eighty
one teams for the 1997-98 season. For the 1998-99 season the league
reduced to six divisions, and for the 1999-00 season the Committee
deliberatley chose to limit the league to five divisions.
After the AGM in June 2004 the league was comprised of fifty-six
teams, but Winkfield and Manor amalgamated and Running Horse withdrew
reducing the Premier Division to nine teams. With one late entrant,
season 2004-05 commenced with fifty-five teams, which subsequently
reduced to fifty with the loss of FC Bracknell, Bracknell Rangers,
Cannie Man, Dell Computers and South Ascot during the season. The
loss of three teams from one division dropped the Second Division
to eight sides. Sanction was approved from the Berks & Bucks
F.A. to operate an extra series of matches in both the Premier and
Second Divisions. The F.A. were so concerned about the reduction
of clubs in adult mens football that surveys and seminars have taken
place to discuss the problem. The results showed that this league
is in a similar position to many others, with changes in society,
working practices, education and lifestyles all contributing to
fewer men playing football.
Centred in Bracknell the league includes teams from Ascot, Bracknell,
Finchampstead, Sunninghill, Winkfield, Wokingham and Woodley. The
league has enjoyed the support of Bill Murphy and John Wood Sports
in recent years, and now has a good relationship with sponsors of
the league, Bracknell Town F.C. Under a hard working Committee the
league has earned a well deserved reputation in local football.
In addition to sponsorship from Bracknell Town F.C. and the local
press, the league have been fortunate to have had the support of
the Shikara Balti & Tandoori Restaurant and GOwrings of Wokingham
for the two major cup competitions. For a period Morland Breweries
sponsored the Senior Cup, but Greene King showed no interest in
continuing the sponsorship when they took over Morlands. Shikaras
took over for three years but their interest has now lapsed. Gowrings
supported the cup competition for the lower division teams for many
years, but this support lapsed as a result of the Inchscape takeover
at Gowrings. Sadly neither of these competitions is now sponsored.
The Committee would therefore welcome an interest from any local
company or organisation who are prepared to provide sponsorship
or support.
Bracknell Town F.C. provide the league with sponsorship in the form
of facilities for league meetings, use of their pitch and support
for the Subsidiary Cup competition, for those teams in the lower
divisions and teams not eligible to enter the Junior Cup, who have
completed their matches. The competition now renamed as the Bracknell
Town F.C. Challenge Cup has operated this season as a knock out
basis, with twenty teams initially involved.
The league has been fortunate this season in not suffering too many
postponements as a result of waterlogged pitches, compared to previous
seasons. Thankfully by having the understanding and cooperation
of both the Bracknell Town Council and the Wokingham District Council,
the league program has almost been completed with limited disruption.
The Committee wish to thank both Authorities for their assistance.
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