1987-88 was the Association's Diamond Jubilee season and the following article appeared in the Yorkshire Evening Press on 11th March 1987

Council Report 1987-1988

Published in the 1988-1989 Handbook.

This report has been compiled from the reports given at the 1988 AGM by the Officers of the Association.

Once again the affairs of the Association have been administered by the Management Committee and it is intended that this arrangement will continue for the forthcoming season.

This season was the Association's Diamond Jubilee Year and to commemorate the occasion special badges were distributed to every registered player. Also throughout the season extra events were arranged. These included a general knowledge quiz, a photographic evening, a summer league fancy dress tournament and a festival doubles event at the Guildhall.

For the first time ever York hosted a County Premiership weekend in March at the Railway Institute and amongst the top players taking part was Alan Cooke, the new English Champion.

Winter league entries this year consisted of 1 division of 12 teams, 2 divisions of 11 and 4 divisions of 10. League Champions once again were Railway Institute A.

Entries for the Shepherds Trophy were disappointing, only 50 teams out of 77 registered with the eventual winners, Poppleton, narrowly defeating Fulford W.M.C. C in a close fought final. The final of the Machell Trophy produced the closest match of the competition with Railway K beating Railway I by one point. The Charity Pairs, played this year under a new format, was won by Ian Williams and Barry Johnson, the proceeds from the event going to York Against Cancer.

The entries for the York Closed Championships were higher than last year and a new event, the hard-bat doubles, proved so popular the organisers will have to do some re-scheduling for the tournament next year.

The same however cannot be said for the Bagshaw Trophy, which had a very small entry. For the first time in the competition's history it was won by a junior player, Richard Woolmore.

In Yorkshire League although no sides were promoted this season York 1 did well to retain their place in the Premier Division but unfortunately York 2 were relegated to Division 3. No changes occurred in the Veterans League. The Ladies finished in their usual place of 3rd from bottom (or 4th from top), the only landmark of the season being Maureen Gott's 100th appearance for York. The Juniors were unfortunately outclassed in their league except for Adele Lobley who turned in some good results.

There were disappointingly few coaching sessions at the Railway Institute, something which will have to be sorted out before next season, but on the bright side congratulations are due to Betty Norman on becoming a 1 star coach.

The Treasurer reported a small loss for the year and accordingly (don't sigh) fees for next season have been increased.

Finally, on the Association's behalf I would like to thank all the Management Committee and members of the various other committees for their work during the past season. My special thanks to David Atkinson for taking on the extra work of Acting General Secretary during my absence due to work commitments and also to Clive Warley who, as Diamond Jubilee Co-ordinator, worked extremely hard throughout the year.

SALLY RUSSELL, General Secretary

League Tables and Players' Averages 1987-1988