MINUTES OF AGM 2026 -7 July 2026
MINUTES – AGM LEIGH RUGBY CLUBMINUTES – AGM
Venue LEIGH RUGBY CLUB
Date: 7 July 2026 Time: 7:00pm Venue:
Present
Andy C (Aldwinians), Andy Daniels (Broughton Park), Rob Stokes (Kirkby Lonsdale), Ian Mac (Bury), Clive Ennis (MADREF), Al Nicklsn (Oldham), Geoff Perks (Warrington), Paul Deakin (Lancs), Mark Downs (Lancs). Committee: All present except Chris Farmiloe.
Apologies
Chris Farmiloe, Dave Clarke, Lindsay Kirby, Gopal Malhotra.
- Opening & Previous Minutes. Fred Swarbrick opened the meeting at 7pm. No matters arising. Chairman’s Report will be uploaded to the website rather than read out.
- Finance Report – Greg King • £3,000 paper loss due to £6,000 owed by Halbro being taken as kit. • Overall finances remain healthy. • Benevolent Fund paid out 7 cases (£500each).• Fund reduced from £10,000 (2025) to £7,800 (2026), including £2,000 donations. • Proposal: Increase league entry fee from £100 to £110, with the additional £10 allocated to the Benevolent Fund. Proposed: Andy Daniel Seconded: Clive Enniso Vote: All in favour – motion passed.
- Fixtures • Fixtures Secretary report (John Powell) will be posted online. • All fixtures now live on the website. • Andy Daniels raised concerns about blank weekends and long gaps between fixtures.
- Sponsorship – Craig Hine • Impact confirmed as main sponsor for 3 years. • Seeking main Cup sponsor (6 cups across 2 venues). • Two leagues had no sponsor last year. • Website receives approx. 10,000 hits per week – clubs encouraged to help source sponsors.
- Motions Received Proposal 1 – Rule 11 (Fixture Flipping)Submitted by Rob Stokes (Kirkby Lonsdale). Amended to require requests before 30 August. Vote: All in favour – motion passed. Proposal 2 – Rule 19 (Conceding Senior Fixtures) Proposed: Ian Cosens Seconded: Fred Swarbrick. Change to • If a senior team concedes, the lower team must also concede (though may still play a friendly).• Reverts to the rule used for 12 seasons previously. Discussion included concerns about player ability levels, league retention, and historical outcomes (lower team won 14 of 17 occasions). Vote: All in favour – motion passed. Proposal 3 – Rule 20 (Rearrangements) Proposed: John Powell Seconded: Fred Swarbrick Key changes:• Fixtures published by 10 July.• Rearrangements must be agreed with opponents and ratified by Fixtures Secretary.• No rearrangements permitted after 30 August.• Weather or referee related postponements handled by Fixtures Secretary. • Pools Panel decisions remain final. Clarification provided on “exceptional circumstances” (weather, referee shortages, serious incidents). Vote: All in favour – motion passed.
- Electronic Match Cards (EMCs) – Summary A consolidated summary of the discussion: Purpose & Funding • Accurate EMC completion is essential as funding is linked to verified player numbers. Registration Requirements • Clarification needed on mandatory registration for Premier Division and Division 1.• Lancashire’s position is that registration should apply across all divisions. Operational Challenges • Issues raised around late player additions, overseas student registration, and lower league practicality. • Clubs may leave fields blank for unregistered players and complete retrospectively.Compliance & Accuracy • EMCs must be completed correctly to avoid incorrect suspensions or penalties. • Wrong names or incomplete cards create governance issues. Support & Training• Training will be provided as systems develop. • Clubs encouraged to delegate EMC responsibilities clearly. Outcome• General agreement to continue improving EMC usage, clarify rules, and support clubs with practical challenges.
- Any Other Business• FS confirmed existing processes remain workable; no objections raised. • Introduction of Thomas Bradburn as league photographer. • Cup Final venues confirmed: Sale FC (Heywood Rd) and Sandbach.
- Meeting Closed Time: 8:40pm