BANKFOOT-based Muff Field, members of the Bradford Mutual Sunday School League for almost 100 years, have tendered their resignation.

League secretary Sara Butterfield told the competition's July meeting at Clayton ARLFC: "Muff Field will be leaving the league at the end of the season to move to another league."

Among the trophies that Muff Field have won while in membership are the Sir James Roberts Cup (1935, 1946, 1948, 1954), the H Broadbent Trophy (1939, 1946, 1960, 1968, 1978, 2004), Group A (1932, 1946), Group B (1928, 1957), Group D (1996) and, for second teams, Section One (1939, 1972, 1978, 1980) and Section Two (1923, 1924, 1975).

Meanwhile, league chairman Nick Spachis has praised the Umpires' Association's administration secretary Paul Newbould for coping with the shortfall of officials.

"This time last year I was very fearful that we were going to have a chaotic situation with the Umpires' Association," said Spachis.

"But I would like to thank, on behalf of the league, Paul, Alan Broadbent (appointments' secretary) and their executive committee for the sterling job that they are doing."

Newbould said: "We currently have up to 27 umpires but that still leaves 11 matches with only one umpire."

The league will have to make a late decision on whether matches scheduled for Saturday, September 2 go ahead on that date due to Eid al-Adha, one of the holiest celebrations in the Muslim calendar, which is due to fall near that date.

League press officer Mohammed Rafiq said: "We should know by 4pm on August 25 when Eid falls."

Meanwhile, the Group B fixture between Bowling Baptists A and Great Horton Church at Manningham Mills Sports Association cannot be played on Saturday, September 9 due to an FA Vase tie at the venue involving Campion and Bedlington Terriers.