ALBION’S LEAGUE RETURN IS A REAL TONIC
Talking Grassroots with PHIL HODGSON
THE news I tend to seek out first following each of the National Conference League annual general meetings is whether new admissions as recommended by the management are voted in by member clubs, and whether those outfits required to seek reelection through having finished bottom, or next to bottom, of the
lowest tier have been successful.
In reality the process, as far as the flagship league is concerned, is more one of rubber-stamping than anything.
Keighley Albion were given the thumbs-up by delegates last Monday and will be back in the Conference next month after a break of a shade over a quarter-of-a-century, and Featherstone Lions have retained their status after having bobbled around the basement of Division Three last year.
I’m delighted that both clubs will be in the NCL this season and I’m sure that Albion and the Lions will grace the amateur game’s premier competition.
Albion are a well-run outfit – I’ve known their helmsman Terry Caddy for a long time, and so have Conference bosses as he served on their management committee for quite a few years – and are a very welcome readmission, not least for geographical reasons.