IT is great to be back as we start our new 2018/19 season.

It is another record in terms of 115 clubs now registered for the new season, which represents an incredible 566 teams from under-7s through to u21s including girls' football, which continues to grow across the age groups.

The start of a new season is always a good opportunity to reflect upon the previous one.

As I mentioned in my last communication it is important to reflect and see what is working well and what needs improving across all elements of our league.

It is not an easy task, but it is a very important one.

At this time of a new season, it is even more important to review the past year and look forward to a new one of many more to come.

Over the past season we have achieved so much, and all our members and partners should take great pride for some major, measurable successes.

The continuation of our summer programmes at u7s-u11s, girls' football, progressing our charitable status, appointment of a new board of directors and trustees, agreement to launch an adult league in 2019/20 season, and the introduction of a new youth council.

On the football front, our 2017/18 season was a major success despite the wettest winter on record and the highest number of fixtures postponed in a season.

That said, we still managed to complete our season and fulfilled all our fixtures, which is great credit to all our-age group secretaries, and the positive contributions from clubs, teams and coaches.

The standard of football throughout last season was exceptional resulting in some great league and cup winners, and highlighted with excellent cup finals held at The University Of Bolton Stadium, Lostock Academy, Manchester City Academy and the County Ground in Leyland.

Our league winners' presentation at Victoria Halls was also a wonderful evening and recognised the achievements of all the league winners.

When you look back, it is fantastic progress, but can only be achieved with the commitment of all.

As we look forward to another new season, we will look to improve on all fronts, as standing still is not an option if we want to continue to increase the standards and attract high quality teams into our league.

We have spent some time out recently talking to clubs and our partners about where they see the league at present and what can be done to improve.

The feedback is essential if we are to create the best football experience for our youth, and to ensure we are taking the league to its highest level that meets members' needs.

It is our members' league, and they have a major part to play in how it should be run.

We want transparency, openness, honesty, constructive feedback and ideas on how we can take the league to the next level. We are also keen to get clubs more involved with league decisions.

There are so many opportunities and the future is exciting.

One area we will be working very hard on in the new season is our zero tolerance policy on discipline, both on and off the field, and the league committee is now taking a more proactive approach on all matters to put an end to incidents which, to be blunt, have no place in our league.

Thankfully it is a minority, but one report is too many.

I am pleased to report this strong message seems to be working its way around the league, and I’m delighted some clubs involved in some of the incidents last season took their own decisive action internally.

It is no coincidence reports reduced significantly last season and we hope to see the trend continuing this season.

We fully support this revised approach as it is a club's responsibility to ensure internal codes of conduct are applied and maintained and not left to the league or county FA to deal with.

There are a number of initiatives well advanced for the season including reviewing our league structure at board level, which includes defining a long-term strategy for the league.

Do we have more work to do? Of course.

Can we improve? Of course.

Will we achieve and deliver? We will do everything possible to do so.

In concluding, and on behalf of past and current league members, I wish to place on record my sincere thanks to Kevin and Emma Davies for their significant input and support to the growth of our league over many years.

As readers of this wonderful publication, you will all be aware Kevin, Emma and family have moved from Bolton to set up their new home in Dorset.

We thank them for everything, and wish them all the very best for the future.

Thanks for all your continued support and best wishes for the 2018/19 season.