THE regular grassroots football season draws to a close as all the fixtures are concluded and the Cup Finals completed.

On May 10 and 11 we cemented our partnership with Bolton Wanderers with 18 finals held at the Macron Stadium and the Eddie Davies BWFC Academy. These days will live long in the memory of all those who took part.

At a time when most leagues have a well earned break until the new season commences the BBDFL is now driving forward with its new summer programme for U7-U12 age groups sponsored by Macron and the U13s Futsal Cup sponsored by Warburtons

These two competitions have added 190 teams to the Macron Summer League and a further 32 to the Warburtons Futsal Cup

222 teams which otherwise would not be playing football.

We are also building for the introduction of an U21s league which commences in September which already has 16 teams entered.

We held our AGM on the May 12 where we outlined our plans for the future, including the potential to introduce power play for the youngest age groups and dedicated coaches technical areas.

The power play idea is to allow a team which goes four goals behind to bring an additional player on, which then challenges the stronger teams, bolsters the novice teams and increases participation.

The technical area, prevents the poor coaches from bouncing down the line booming out instructions to the children, something which unfortunately still occurs today.

The AGM was a great occasion which included the formal signing of a three-year partnership with Macron Stoke who will now be working with the league to provide the best possible products at the best price.

In summary then the BBDFL has around 600 teams in its regular season, 190 in its summer league leaders, 32 in the futsal and 16 registered to play U21s.

838 teams in total with around 10,000 players, which for a league which only has a nine-mile radius and was only formed in 1996 is a phenomenal success.

Derek Egan from the Lancashire FA outlined that the BBDFL has the highest concentration of teams in the country.

2016 is our 20th Anniversary and we are asking members and supporters to provide ideas on how we can make this year even more special.