SALEM Athletic have failed in their bid to become members of the Mewies Solicitors Craven League for the 2020 season.

The Bradford Mutual Sunday School League club only gained nine votes in favour while 22 were against at Monday’s pre-season Craven League meeting at Cross Hills Social Club.

Meanwhile, a silent appreciation took place at the start of the meeting in memory of league president Peter Shuttleworth (Glusburn), who has died in his mid-eighties.

League fixtures secretary Trevor Coe said: “Peter replaced George Metcalfe as president in 1998 and always had the Craven League at heart, although he hasn’t attended many meetings in the past few years due to illness.”

Clubs were reminded by league secretary Ann Coe to get their officials’ DBS certificates up to date.

She said: “We have issued £5 fines in the past, which is a joke, and we must get in line with the rest of the country. There are no excuses.”

Mr Coe reminded clubs to take advantage of the ECB’s directors’ and officials’ insurance cover.

He said: “Embsay has insurance in place which cost £115 to cover all officials of the club for up to £250,000, and if a club is sued it will come back on the chairman of the club, which sends a shiver down my spine.”

Mrs Coe, wearying of chasing up miscreants, as is treasurer Richard Webster, also warned clubs to pay their fines by the end of the month in which they are issued “otherwise they will be doubled”.