BEHAVE yourself!

That's the message to local football clubs and their supporters.

The warning was issued by St Helens Combination chairman Eric Bond at the organisation's annual meeting.

Eric was one of several officials who reported concern at poor discipline. And he warnd stricter penalties would be imposed in the coming season.

Meanwhile, the officers were all re-elected, with former referee Tom Ward abnd Bernard Teebay, secretary of West Bank FC joining the management committee.

New teams elected to the Combination were Hall Street Union, Stoves FC, Hamblett FC, Nutgrove FC, with reserve sides from Holy Cross and Billinge.

New Sunday Division clubs include: Sutton Heath Panthers, Athletico Nelson and Coach and Horses.

And in the youth division, Prescot Cables Mathiola, Brookvale United, Penlake, Bispham Celtic and Halmblett join the fold.

So it is no surprise the league wants to recruit more referees. Anyone wishing to join the panel for Saturday or Sunday football should contact Dave Watkins on 01744 756806 or drop him a line at 13 Poplar Avenue, Eccleston, St Helens, WA10 5BQ.

Before the meeting, Mrs May Gordon, widow of the fromer combination president Tom Gordon president thje President's Memorial Trophy to Division Two champions Chestnut Lodge, the club considered the most sporting of the season.

She also presented the Keith Harrison Trophy for the best referee of the season to Denis Deluce. Meanwhile, the league's final roll of honour includes:

St Helens Star Premier Division: champions Owens Corning Ravenhead; runners-up Child FC.

Division One: champions Bold Cherry; runners-up Holy Cross.

Division Two: champions Chestnut Lodge; runners-up Clock Face Reserves.

Division Three: champions Turks Head; runners-up Old Congs (Haydock).

Garswood Trophies Hospital Cup: winners Child FC; runners-up Owens Corning Ravenhead.

Rainford Potteries Cup: winners Clock Face Reserves; runners-up Pilkington A.

DH Griffiths Cup: winners Child; runners-up Gerard Arms.

Tom Worrall Cup: winners Clock Face Reserves; runners-up Turks Head.

Sunday Division: champions Wellcroft Park; runners-up Ex-Services (Rainhill).

Under 17s Division: champions Whiston Juniors; runners-up Young Gate.

Hatton Travel Challenge Cup: winners Owens Corning Ravenhead; runners-up Clock Face.

Jim Haddock Youth Memorial Cup: winners Whiston Juniors; runners-up Young Gate.

Tom Gordon Memorial Cup: Chestnut Lodge.

Keith Harrison Memorial Cup: Denis Deluce.

Sunday referee of the year: David Forber.

In addition Holy Cross were losing finalists in the Northern Cup and the Combination under 18s side were runners-up in the Lancashhire FA Inter-League competition.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.