Greenfield deemed to have resigned over late payment of Mutual fees

They should have paid their entry fees for their two teams by last November's annual meeting but only stumped up the cash last month.

League chairman Nick Spachis said at the league's September meeting at Clayton Rugby Club: "We unanimously agreed at our executive meeting that Greenfield are deemed to have resigned from the league due to late payment of league fees.

"They have effectively been playing in the league by the back door for five months, and all of their results for 2016 have been made null and void."

Greenfield's first team were runners-up in Group C, while their second team won Group D.

However, Spachis added: "Greenfield are welcome to reapply to the league, as long as they pay their outstanding fees, at the league's rules revision meeting at Clayton Rugby Club on Tuesday, October 18."

If the other clubs let Greenfield back in, they are likely to be back in Groups C and D.

Graeme Langton, who is retiring as the league's Umpires' Association secretary, said that the number of officials in the league had dropped to crisis point.

He said: "It was probably the worst season that we have ever had.

"We started off the season with 34, but seven of them failed to manage the minimum 12 games of the 21 available, while two others packed up on medical grounds, and for the latter reason we haven't punished their clubs.

"We averaged 25 umpires, and the worst week was 22, but we need 40.

"Two umpires have retired who have done 25 years and 26 years, and we will definitely be asking for a rise from the £25 they are currently paid for umpiring to £30, but will leave the figure for a solo umpire at £50.

"Even £30 is not as much as other leagues charge but there will definitely be games next season with only one umpire and most likely some with none.

"Also some umpires have quit because of an unacceptable level of appealing and because they are being asked silly questions.

"Maybe the players should learn the laws of the game."