AFTER a lifespan of 46 years, the Wirral Sunday Leauge, formerly known as the Cheshire Sunday Combination, has gone out of existence.

Devoted stalwart League Secretary, Dave Lea, and his management committee broke the news last week to the remaining nine clubs, who will now hopefully be accommodated by the neighbouring Birkenhead Sunday and Wallasey Leagues.

It marked a sad occasion for Mr. Lea in particular, who has contributed many loyal years in running the League's day-to-day affairs, in addition to nurturing many fine clubs, and helping in the development of match officials such as Alan Jones, Bob Nixon, Dave Pugh, Jack Blakemore and John Stokes, all of whom have gone on to reach the top in their careers.

Rising ground hire fees, the demise of many local hostelries, together with the difficulty to obtain sponsorship, televised football and an increasing trend of general apathy, have all factored in seeing the Wirral Sunday consigned to the history books, which include the Wirral Combination, South Wirral League, Birkenhead & Wirral and very recently, the Ellesmere Port Sunday League, all of whom have now disappeared over the past 25 years.