THREE long-standing members of the Aire-Wharfe League committee have stood down.

They are president Mike Hibbert, match results and league handbook co-ordinator and honorary life vice-president David Steel and fellow management committee member Tony Crowther.

In his closing speech during the annual meeting at Otley RUFC, Hibbert said: "We are a strong senior league and hopefully our management committee will make it stay that way.

"Two other long-serving members of the committee are retiring as well as me in David Steel and Tony Crowther and they won't be forgotten."

New president Graham Fuller praised Hibbert for his 40 years' service, the last 22 as a member of the league's management committee.

He also presented him with a token of the league's appreciation and Hibbert responded that he would not be wearing his white coat any more "so people's games would not be 'messed' up"!

League secretary Dave Alred reminded clubs that the management committee would be visiting them in the new year to canvass their views about the way forward as a league and again asked them to keep an open mind.

He said: "You might not be affected now – but what abut the future?" He also reminded clubs to protect themselves by having their relevant members undergo DBS checks.