THE Mayor of Medway, Nick Bowler, led the tributes as Colin Boswell officially retired as secretary of the Medway Messenger Sunday Football League after 40 years' service.

A record attendance for a league annual meeting packed the St George's Centre, Chatham to listen to a succession of tributes from past and present members of the league.

Many people who havae moved away from the Medway area sent letters praising Mr Boswell's unstinting service to local junior football.

Barry Bright, a director of the Football Association, member of UEFA and chairman of the Kent County FA, underlined the need for the game to find what he called the Colin Boswell's of tomorrow.

He said: “More then ever before the game needs men and women who are prepared to give of their time as football administrators, just as Colin Boswell has for the past 40 years.”

KCFA chief executive Keith Masters described Mr Boswell as a great friend, not only to him personally, but to all of Kent football.

League chairman Alan Barty, who made a special presentation to Mr Boswell on behalf of the league, disclosed that of 442 management committee meetings since he agreed to take the job on a temporary basis, he had missed just two. One when he was running the line in a Football League match and the other through illness.

Mr Barty also presented Mr Boswell with a cheque for £1,532 on behalf of the league.

On an emotion-charged day for himself, wife Sheila and two sons, Mr Boswell thanked all who had helped him in the job during his 40 years, especially his wife.

He said: “It's been an honour and a privilege to serve junior football in the Medway area and though I'm retiring I shall still make my voice heard in the battle to maintain Beechings Cross as a venue that local junior footballers can use and be proud of.”

Graham Mitchell of Wainscott Arrows won the league's Personality of the Year award, Pat McGurn of Quested the Michelle Bottiglieri Award, Martin Budden of Spartac, the Unsung Hero award, Tara Whybrow of Red Dog the Lady of the Season Award, while Stevie Scott of Britannia Strood took the Young Player of the Year trophy.

The league presented a cheque for £3,000 to a local representative of Cerebral Palsy Care.

John Wren has been appointed successor to Mr Boswell next season, though Mr Boswell will continue to service the league as a consultant.

Election of officers: Chairman, Alan Barty, treasurer, Iain Allan, assistant general secretary, Mark Wilkes, referees' secretary, Andy Shepherd, fixtures secretary, Tony Smith, registration secretary, Dave Read, social secretary, Rex Walker, results secretary, David Garth.