York Referees’ Association Annual General Meeting (AGM)

Date: Thursday, 30th April 2026
Venue: York Hospital Social Club

Present:
Dave King, Myles Smith, Sophie Wood, George Smith, Toby Holland, Tom Holland, John Ledgeway, Ian Hotchkies, Peter Berry, George Roberts, Rob Rich, Lennon Gillan, Oliver Dunning, Lee Dunning, Leanne Dunning, Harry Newell, Sam Newell (17 no.)

Apologies:
Alan Kaye, Barry Casterton, Charlotte Jacques-Smith, Conor Ledgeway, Ian Smellie, And McAvoy.

1. Welcome, Introductions & Apologies

• The meeting commenced at 19:36.
• Vice Chair Myles Smith welcomed members and outlined the format for the evening, which included the AGM proceedings followed by a break and guest speaker Geroge Roberts.
• The agenda and supporting reports were made available on each table.

2. Annual General Meeting

2.1 Chair’s Address

• MS shared Alan Kaye’s highlights of key achievements of the season, including the success of guest speaker events and the increased engagement from both referees and parents. AK also thanks the committee for their efforts and CL & BC for maintain a strong relationship between the Referees’ Association and the County FA.

2.2 Secretary’s Report

• CL written report was circulated with the room, which included further highlights and reflection on the guest speakers over the 25/26 season. The collaborative meeting hosted between the RA and York Football League will look to be continued into future seasons.
• No questions raised.

2.3 Treasurer’s Report

• John Ledgeway circulated copies of the financial accounts.
• He provided an overview of income and expenditure, noting that donations from sponsors contributed to a surplus for the season.
• The accounts were unanimously adopted.

2.4 Welfare Officer’s Report

• BC’s written report confirmed that all safeguarding incidents have been passed over to their Parent CFA and majority have now been resolved. Some DBS’ still require physical document check but the majority can now be done via the new method.

2.5 Outgoing Committee

• George Smith gave VOT for outgoing committee.

3. Appointment of Trustees & Executive Committee 2025/26

• MS confirmed that all previous standing committee members will be running again. All in favour of this decision.

Committee Appointments:

• Chair: Alan Kaye
• Vice Chair: Myles Smith
• Secretary: Conor Ledgeway
• Treasurer: John Ledgeway
• Welfare Officer: Barry Casterton
• Media & Communications Officer/President: Dave King
• Youth Officer: Myles Smith
• Officers Without Portfolio: Sophie Wood, Charlotte Jacques-Smith, Ian Smellie, Peter Berry (new).

AGM Business concluded at 19:55.

4. Guest Speaker – George Roberts

• MS Welcomed George Roberts
• GR introduced his session ‘dealing with difficult situation’ and how his work life (funeral director) and activity refereeing interlink when dealing with difficult situations.
• GR started at the beginning of his refereeing career, progressing into adult football at 16 and reflecting on the point he started having to deal with different situations, and how things have changing in terms of communication between referees, league, appointment officers and clubs.
• Once achieving Level 4, new challenges were faced but also new opportunities arose (including the Dallas Cup in 2018 to represent The FA).
• George went on to share a series of clips from a recent fixture and explained that often challenging situations are not down to personal actions but often because of other people’s and unexpected situations – such as him having to stand in as an assistant referee during the Scarborough v. Darlington game in 2023.
• RG also discussed the importance of neutralising threats (cautions & sin-bins) to match control can aid you when dealing with difficult situations and what triggers you can use to try and pre-empt these happening.
• Lennon Gillan gave VOT.

5. Any Other Business

• RA Raffle: Conducted during the meeting.
• RA Annual Dinner: Scheduled for Friday, 8th May 2026. Members were reminded to submit menu choices and payments by Friday 1^st May 2026. Reminder for those attending to pay for car parking.

Meeting Closed at 21:15

Minutes of AGM held on 5^th May 2022

at NHS Club with 17 members present.

5 Apols; were received from Mssrs; Bradbury; Casterton; Rhodes; Kay; Smellie.

Chairman opened the AGM remarking first AGM for three years, RA going through difficult times; He feels positive for the future; discussion on the old chestnut, how to get bums on seats.

Mins last AGM, on line. No matters arising.

Reports, Secretary’s and Treasurers reports given and discussed.

V o T to retiring committee. Thanks were given to Paul Ballantyne who was stepping down after 15 years.

Election of Officers; the rest of committee were re elected with M Gibson voted on the committee.

Pres/Sec  I Hotchkies; C/man A Kaye; Treas J Ledgeway; V Chair C Ledgeway; Communications D King; Committee M Gibson; Safeguarding; B Casterton.

There was no permissible business and meeting closed at 8.00

I Hotchkies, Secretary

York RA AGM – 2 Sept 2021

Minutes of AGM held on Sept 2nd 2021 at NHS Sports Club with 23 members and guests in attendance.

Apols were received from Mssrs; J Ledgeway; Rhodes; Black; Paul-Gordon; Bradbury (late); Gray; Blakey; Bishop; Bayley; Burke; Smith; Mollov.

The chairman welcomed all, new and older faces saying, glad to be back.
Mins silence was observed members (York and others) who had passed away over the past year.

Presentations were made to the recipients of York FA Senior/Junior Cup mementos from 2019/20/21 who were in attendance by our guest Bobby Madley.

AGM reports were submitted on line, no matters arising and all accepted

Election of Officers; thanks were given to retiring officers with thanks (J Unwin, B Smith). No new names were submitted, rest of committee were re elected.

Meeting closed 7.50pm

Annual General Meeting 2018 – Chair Report

Minutes of AGM held 4^th May 2017

At NHS Sports Club with 17 members present

Chairman welcomed all to the meeting

Apologies were received from A McEvoy and D Milburn

Mins of last AGM with no matters arising

Secretary’s Report was given.

Treasurers Report was verbal due to accounts being behind due to stock lists. Bank balances very   healthy. Ideas discussed regarding possibility of using some of the monies

Rules of Y C & D RA a new set of rules have been drawn up, in keeping with present times. These were discussed and a honorarium awarded to the Referee Development Officer in line with the Treasurer and Secretary.   These were passed.

Election of Officers;

President; Ian Hotchkies
Chairman; Sam Bayley
Vice Chair; Jonny Ham
Secretary; Ian Hotchkies
Treasurer; John Ledgeway
Ref Development; James Unwin
Membership; James Unwin
Supplies; Brandon Bishop
Communications; David King
Officers without Portfolio; Brian Smith; Conor Ledgeway; Paul Ballantyne; Anthony Thornton; Matt Butcher.

NRCRA Delegates; D King; I Hotchkies
Auditor; R Price
York FA Reps; D King; G Bradbury.

There being no permissible business meeting closed at 8.10

Ian Hotchkies

Secretary