Balancing the books the aim for Shropshire

Treasurer Brian Kitson reported a loss of £2,665 on last year – mainly due to the cost of transport for the senior and junior teams – at the County Association AGM at the Reman Club in Shrewsbury.

His figures were accepted without comment but, when it came to discussing honoraria for county officials, a debate on the way forward ensued.

Past county president Terry Sambrook said his look at the figures showed the county had spent over £5,000 more than it had earned in the last two years.

Former county secretary Ian Gaut pointed out there had been "one-off'' expenditure on scoreboards, a PA system, laptop and printer in 2012 and stressed that a key function of the association was to field county teams.

Junior selector Dennis Lewis added: "It's unfair to penalise the juniors (who reached last year's national final) for being successful."

A motion to freeze honoraria to last year's figures was passed unanimously and chairman Barry Jennings vowed the county would look at improving its finances, including trying to find extra sponsorship.

He was succeeded as Shropshire's welfare officer by Whitchurch League official Phil Scott, who will be paid a new honoraria of £350.

That was one of the proposals on the agenda that were all passed on a night attended by just 47 of the 150 affiliated clubs.

County secretary Mo Corley admitted it was "a very disappointing attendance" and, in the light of there being no nominations for county senior selectors, urged anyone interested to contact her immediately.

Junior selectors approved were Barry Jennings, Simon Parsonage, Dennis Lewis, Rob Burroughs, Phil King, Phil Scott, Isobel Jones and Steve Roberts.

Shropshire's veteran selectors are three former county presidents – Terry Sambrook, Norman Ford and Mike Hinton.

Out-going president Geoff Balshaw handed over the chain of office to Oswestry's John Hughes.