THE SLAZENGER NORTHAMPTON LAWN TENNIS LEAGUE

Minutes of a Meeting held at the club room of the Northampton L.T.C, Franklins Gardens, on September 50th. 1931, with a view to considering the advisability of forming a League or Leagues for competition between affiliated clubs in the town.

The following were present :— P.H.Stevens, representative of the Northants L.T.A. on the L.T.A. Council: H.B.Sharman, Hon match secretary Northants L.T.A. W.H.Mellor, Hon secretary Northants L.T.A.

Representatives of affiliated clubs

Abington L.T.C.	Mrs. Swan	N.J.Horne
Dallington L.T.C.	M.Hipwell
N.E.L.C.O. L.T.C.	F.H.Holden	L.Sparrow
Northampton L.T.C.	A.Baxter	H.Crier
Northampton County L.T.C.	F.J.Alsop	C.H.King
Northampton Town and County L.T.C.	P.Stroulger

Representatives of clubs not affiliated

Kingsthorpe L.T.C.	J.Gregg	A.Eoyde
Apollo L.T.C.	R.A.Shaw
United L.T.C. - Franklins	H.E.Johnson	H.Owen
Lakeside L.T.C.	Miss Swannell	A.J.Cockerill

Mr. Stevens was elected to the chair and following a statement by Mr. Mellor. advocating the formation of a league, with suggestions as to its conduct and rules, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted.

1. Resolved that it is desirable that steps be taken to form a Lawn Tennis League or Leagues for Northampton clubs affiliated to the Northants L.T.A.

2. Resolved that a Committee be appointed of one representative from each club to frame rules for submission to the clubs interested.

3. Resolved that a meeting of this Committee be held at the club room of the Northampton L.T.C., Franklins Gardens on Wednesday 21st. October 1931 at 8.15 p.m..

The meeting closed with the usual vote of thanks.

Minutes of a Committee meeting of representatives of Northampton clubs interested in the formation of a Lawn Tennis League or Leagues for clubs affiliated to the Northants L.T.A. which took place on Wednesday 21st. October 1931 at the club room of the Northampton L.T.C. at Franklins Gardens.

The following were present

Apollo L.T.C.	R.A.Shaw
Lakeside L.T.C.	A.J.Cockerill
United L.T.C.	H.E.Johnson	H.W.Owen
N.E.L.C.O. L.T.C.	F.H.Holden
Dallington L.T.C.	A.J.Hipwell
Northampton County L.T.C.	F.J.Alsop
Northampton Town and County L.T.C.	P Stroulger	E.H.Nelson
Northampton L.T.C.	A.Baxter
Hon Secretary Northants L.T.A.	W.H.Mellor

An apology for inability to attend was received from the representative of’ the Abington L.T.C.

Mr. E.H.Nelson was voted to the chair. The Minutes of the first meeting were read and confirmed. A discussion then took place on the suggested rules circulated to the representatives, with the result that, finally, the following rules were unanimously approved.

RULES

1. The Competition shall be called the “ Northampton Lawn Tennis League” and be open to clubs affiliated to the Northants L.T.A.

2. The League shall be governed by a Committee consisting of a President, Hon Secretary, and one representative from each competing club.

13. The Annual General Meeting shall be held in the first fortnight in March at which each competing club shall be entitled to Two representatives with power to vote.

14 The Annual Subscription shall be 5/— for each team, payable at the Annual General Meeting.

15. The League shall be divided into as many Divisions or Sections of’ Divisions as may be deemed necessary by the Committee.

Promotion end Relegation shall be automatic, the top team in the second or any subsequent section to be promoted to the section immediately above and the bottom team in the first section and subsequent sections to be relegated to the section immediately below.

6. A club may enter more than one team in the Competition but any player taking part in three matches in one division or section in one season is disqualified from taking part thereafter in that season in any lower division or section. The Committee may reinstate any player so disqualified upon application being made by the club concerned.

7. That only bona fide members of a club shall be eligible for League matches and no player shall play for more than one club during any one season.

8. Fixtures for the ensuing season to be arranged on the day of’, but subsequent to, the Annual Meeting. All matches to be played on a weekday, Thursday and Saturday to be excluded unless specially desired and agreed.

9. That one match each season shall be played between any two competing teams, the venue of’ the Fixture being alternate in successive seasons. Promoted and relegated teams shall, in this respect, be required to take over the obligations of the teams they supplant.

10. League teams shall be selected strictly in order of’ playing strength, first, second and third who shall then be placed against the first, second and third couples of the opposing club. The games shall be 3 advantage sets.

11. The scores for the Championship of each Division shall be determined by wins and draws, to be computed as follows; One Point shall be awarded to the winner by Sets and One Point to the winner by matches. Should the points be equal, the majority of sets shall decide, and if’ points and sets be equal, the majority of’ games shall decide. In the event of’ all these being equal, the Clubs must play off for the Championship.

12. Fixtures cannot be altered except on account of’ bad weather. In the event of a team cancelling or scratching a match or failing to put in an appearance on the specified date, the opposing team shall count two points. A fixture postponed on account of weather shall be played as soon as possible on a date mutually agreed by the teams concerned.

13. The team on whose ground a match is being played shall provide not less than four new balls, of a make approved by the Lawn Tennis Association, for each court.

14.. The Hon Secretary of’ the Home team shall communicate the result of every match (on the form provided) to the League Hon Secretary within 48 hours of’ its being played.

15. All differences and disputes shall be referred to the Hon Secretary of the League who shall, if necessary, submit the matter for decision to the League committee.

It was unanimously decided that the competition should consist of’ Men’s Doubles and Ladies Doubles.

It was also suggested that an effort be made to obtain trophies to be held by the League champions.

Mr. Mellor was asked to circulate the Rules to the clubs interested with an invitation to enter for the competition at a date not later than 28th. February 1932.

The meeting closed with the usual vote of’ thanks to the Chairman.

THE NORTHAMPTON LAWN TENNIS LEAGUE

THE FIRST ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE NORTHAMPTON LAWN TENNIS LEAGUE, held at

Northampton L.T.C. club house, Franklins Gardens, on Monday l4 th. March 1932 at 8 pm

PRESENT W.H.Mellor (Acting Secretary)

And Club representatives were as follows

Dallington L.T.C.	A.J.Hipwell	R.Bostock
Northampton County L.T.C.	R.West	F.J .Alsop
Northampton Town and County L.T.C.	E.H.Nelson	P.Stroulger
Castilian L.T.C.	M.V.Spencer	W.H.Inghau
Apollo L.T.C.	R.A.Shaw	H .M.Owen
N.E.L.C.O. L.T.C.	O.G.Billingham	S .W.Dent
United L.T.C. R.	C. Crane	H .G.Johnson
Lakeside L.T.C.	J.E.Toll	A.J.Cockerill
Abington L.T.C.	R.Shawell	Mrs. Swan
Northampton L.T.C.	A.W.Baxter	Miss Frost
Spinney Hill L.T.C.	H.G.Allen	Miss Kenyon

On a proposition by Mr. Mellor, Seconded by Mr. Johnson, Mr. F.J.Alsop was elected as Chairman. The Minutes of the meeting held on 21st. October 1931 were read and confirmed.

On a proposition by Mr. Mellor, Seconded by Mr. West, Mr. E.H.Nelson was elected Hon Secretary and Treasurer of the League.

The Chairman proposed, and Mr. Stroulger Seconded, that Mr. Mellor, who had taken such a keen interest in the formation of the League, should be the first President. This was received with acclamation and Mr. Alsop then vacated the Chair in his favour.

After discussion, it was decided on a proposition by Mr. F.J.Alsop, Seconded by Mr. R.A.Shaw, that the official night for League matches should be Friday. And on a proposition by Mr. H.M.Owen, Seconded by Mr. H.G.Johnson, it was agreed that all matches should commence not later than 6.30 p.m.

The following Committee was nominated in accordance with Rule 2 :-

A.W.Baxter (Northampton), P.Stroulger (Northampton Town and County), R. C .Crane (United), M.V.Spencer (Castilian), L.H.Hasdell (Spinney Hill), J.E.Toll (Lakeside), R.Shawell (Abington). R.West (Northampton County), O.G.Billingham (N. E.L.C.O.), H.M.Owen (Apollo), A. Thorpe (Dallington).

The Divisions of the League were fixed as Follows

1st. Division - Northampton, Northampton County, Northampton Town and County, United, Apollo and Dallington.

2nd. Division N.E.L.C.O., Lakeside, Castilian, Spinney Hill, Abington and Dallington 2.

The Secretary reported that thanks to the courtesy of Mr. F.W.Pollard he had the offer of a Silver Cup as a trophy for the League, and on a proposition by Mr. H.Owen, Seconded by Mr. H.G.Johnson, this was accepted and thanks were accorded to the donor for his kindness.

Mr. Johnson reported the offer of another trophy by a business house, but as the offer savoured of an advertising stunt, it was not deemed advisable to accept the offer.

The Chairman suggested that Inter-League matches be arranged with the Peterborough League and on a proposition by the Hon Secretary, Seconded by Mr.F.J. Alsop, it was decided that such matches be arranged to take place at Croyland Courts, Wellingborough, and that no past or present member of the County match teams should be eligible to play for either side.

No other business being forthcoming, the meeting was closed with a cordial vote of thanks to the Chairman.

Signed W.H.Mellor