OFFICIALS and players within the Licensed Trades Sunday League take notice. League secretary George Debman is on the warpath.No longer a club manager, George intends to watch every one of his clubs in action this season.

OFFICIALS and players within the Licensed Trades Sunday League take notice. League secretary George Debman is on the warpath.

No longer a club manager, George intends to watch every one of his clubs in action this season. "And woe betide any club that steps out of line," said the long-serving official who wants to stamp out poor discipline and unsatisfactory behaviour towards referees. He also wants his referees to be firm and not opt out when bad tackles are made.

George is calling for referees within his league to be much firmer. He cites a case of a player who was injured in the SEH Sevens at Ipswich Wanderers during the summer and is waiting for an operation.

"He has still not been able to work," said George. "I watched the game and the referee did not even speak to the player who made the tackle.

"My league will back referees and we know they are under pressure, but I don't want officials who book players for verbal offences and then ignore bad tackles.

"I have seen too much of that in the last couple of years. These referees are opting out when it matters. I want to see strong action taken every time a bad challenge is made."

He is also concerned about the number of teams in his league and feels there are currently too many Sunday sides. Two of his more established clubs have folded since the last annual general meeting and Shotley Rose – one of the most respected clubs in the league – are deciding this week whether they can carry on with two teams or drop their reserve side.

Hadleigh Kings Head have won the league and cup for the last two seasons (Divisions Two and then One) but have pulled out of the Premier Division this term and established First Division club Felixstowe Grosvenor have also disbanded. The new season starts this Sunday with some divisions light on clubs.

"The management committee proposed that we reduce our divisions from five to four, but this was turned down by the clubs during the close season," saidGeorge.

"It concerns me greatly that a number of clubs are struggling for players, and we may see more fold as we go through the season.

"If a club's administration folds then that club either packs up or struggles to get by. It is a worry."