BY GENERAL consent the 2016/17 season of the M4 Karting Cirencester & District League was one of the most exciting in recent memory with the Division One title going down to the last game of the season.

Long-time leaders The Beeches, who had to beat Wheatsheaf by seven clear goals in that match to snatch the title, just fell short.

So Intel, who were heavily represented in the crowd at the game, were able to receive their league trophy after the match.

But at the AGM last week it was clear the league faces a number of challenges, many of them endemic in the grass roots game.

Finding able and enthusiastic members to give their free time to the league’s management committee continues to prove difficult – with the onus falling on the same faces.

The important role of league secretary – ably filled, albeit briefly, by referee Chris Carter – is vacant again.

Carter resigned suddenly when he and his wife both took on jobs in Warsaw.

Dennis Young, who held the post for a number of years, has kindly if reluctantly agreed to take over the role on a temporary basis (assisted by vice chairman Phil Rice) while a suitable candidate is sought.

Anyone with an interest in the essential administration of the league should get in touch with league chairman Phil Coleman on 01285 656667.

It is still not clear whether M4 Karting will continue their valued sponsorship of the league.

Four teams from last season have withdrawn to play in other leagues – The Beeches (Cheltenham), Ashton Keynes, Ashton Keynes Res and Wheatsheaf (all Swindon).

But the league did welcome two new clubs – Cashes Green Reserves and FC Ampney, meaning the league will continue with two divisions of eight teams.

Each team will meet three times in the league and the Mills-Roberts and Arthur Shipway Cups will be contested in two mini leagues, with every side playing each other once.

The coffers of the league were sufficiently full to donate £1,000 cheques to two favoured local charities.

Anne Webley (vice chair of Macmillan Cancer, Cirencester) and Sheila Rees from the Cirencester Hospital League of Friends were both delighted to benefit from the generosity of the league.

2016/17 Awards

Division One: Intel; Division Two: Blunsdon; Alexcars Senior Charities Cup: The Beeches; Alexcars Junior Charities Cup: Blunsdon; CIA Arthur Shipway Cup: The Beeches; Mills-Roberts Cup: Minety; Sportsmanship – Division One: Poulton; Division Two: Oaksey; Linesman: Sherston; Top goal scorers – Division One: Dennis King (Siddington); Division Two: Elliott Wheatley (Blunsdon); Referee: Phil Laggett.