Bradford Mutual Sunday School League Umpires’ Association secretary Alan Broadbent has called 2011 the worst year administratively since he took over in 1994.

Several clubs joined the Mutual League from the defunct Bradford Central League but most were unable to supply umpires.

It meant that some games went not overseen by official umpires.

In his report to the association’s annual meeting, Broadbent said: “Only one umpire materialised from the nine (Bradford Central League) teams, the result of which has been well documented.

“I would like to draw a closure on this subject by saying if it had not been for you, the members, giving a unanimous vote in backing myself and other officers of the association, stating you were 100 per cent behind us, and my wife’s comments, I might have stood down.

“Her comments were that if I or any of the executive stood down, the league would go in the same direction as the defunct Central League and we should not let that happen.”

Broadbent added: “The biggest disappointment in 2011 was when Paul Newbould (umpires’ vice-chairman) was elected league vice-chairman but stood down because of internal wrangling within the league management.

“Paul would have been an asset to our league, and I hope this can be resolved.”

He added: “The umpires’ executive intends to stand firm in 2012 with our appointments system to punish any team who do not supply umpires but, if all promises materialise, we may have to stand down umpires on a weekly basis. I am not holding my breath!”

On a brighter note, Broadbent reported that seven umpires had passed the Umpires’ Association’s laws course, including one who had served for 11 years in the Bradford Central League.