TEENAGE referee Steve Brenchley clinched the Eddie Meaden award, presented annually to the best upcoming new or young referee, at the Trowbridge & District League's annual meeting and presentation night last week.

Brenchley, who has recently been promoted to Level Five, lives in Melksham and has had an excellent season, taking charge of four cup finals which included the U13s final of the Dallas Cup at the Toyota Stadium in America in April.

League president Ian Hibberd presented the awards at Trowbridge's Wesley Road Club where it was also confirmed that the sponsorship from Trowbridge Windows, who have backed the league since the start of the 2010/11 season, would continue.

Westbury-based referee Steve Higgins picked up the award in memory of former league referee John McMackin, who passed away in May 2013 at the age of 58 after officiating in the Trowbridge league for 17 years.

For the second time in three years, Heytesbury secretary, Martin Spratt picked up the secretary of the year award, the choice of League Registration secretary Roxi Meaden for his excellent work over the season.

Second division The Stiffs were rewarded for their fair play efforts as they picked up the Dudley Cradock Sportsmanship Award with an incredible average mark of 9.31 from their 27 matches over all competitions.

With the overall winners cup they received a cheque for £100 as did Luxol St Andrews, who topped Division One with an average of 8.29 from their 26 outings.

Hilperton United (22), Freshford United (25) and Westbury United (23) with an average of 8.10 all pocketed £75 as Division One Fair Play runners up.

Calne Eagles collected £75 as runners up in Division Two thanks to their 8.65 from 31 games while Warminster Town A's 8.42 from 25 games saw them finish in third spot.

Hilperton United claimed the Club Linesman of the Season award with an average of 8.84, up slightly on last term's winning tally of 8.40 by Freshford United.

Their average was well clear of runners up Westbury Town (8.76) who finished clear of Heytesbury on 8.45.

Warminster Town A, with 8.70, topped the charts in Division Two with Aces FC (8.50) and Zeals just 0.02 behind in third spot.

Two newly-introduced awards this season saw both Jason Povey and Mickey Taraskevics recognised for their goalscoring exploits.

Povey finished top of the Division One hotshots with 36 goals for Stockton & Codford, 24 coming in the league and 12 in cup competitions.

Taraskevics was streets ahead of his closest rivals in Division Two, his 46 goals made up of 26 in league matches with the other 20 scored in cup games.

The 2017/18 campaign will kick off on September 2 with 22 sides competing for the honours across the two divisions.

Melksham Town A will be hoping to defend their Division One title, however they will face stiff competition from Freshford United and Luxol St Andrews and newly-promoted sides Three Daggers and Calne Eagles.

Hilperton United, Semington Magpies, Stockton & Codford, Trowbridge Town Reserves, Warminster Town Reserves and Westbury United Development make up the 11 teams who will battle it out to be top dogs.

Division Two welcomes Greyhound FC, Holt FC and South Newton & Wishford, who along with Aces FC, Heytesbury, Melksham Town B, The Stiffs, Trowbridge Town A, Trowbridge Wanderers Development, Warminster Town A and Zeals FC complete the 11 teams who will all trying hard to get out of the division.