CLUBS in the Aire-Wharfe League will be hit in the pocket next season if they fail to provide at least one new umpire, but will be benefit if they do so.

A management committee resolution to that affect was passed 26-6 at the league's Council meeting on Tuesday at Otley Rugby Union Football Club.

Tony Crowther, secretary of the league's Umpires' Association, painted in stark terms the increase in the number of matches with only one umpire.

He said: "In 2013, there were 83 games with only one umpire, in 2014, 157 and in 2015, 208 on Saturdays and one on Sunday.

"The trend is not very good, and if we don't do anything about it it could be 260 next season.

"The management committee resolution is very similar to that applied by the South Yorkshire League in 2013, and for the last two years they have umpires coming out of their ears."

Crowther added: "We are a senior league and we want to progress. We don't want to force people's arms behind their backs but some of our senior umpires are thinking of quitting because they don't want to stand on their own.

"They get time and a half but they don't enjoy it being on their own."

The resolution, which was seconded by Rawdon stated: "For the 2016 season, all clubs shall provide at least one umpire to attend the league Umpires' Association course in the close season. Such umpires(s) will stand in at least five league/cup matches.

"All clubs who provide such umpires(s) will receive £50 as a one-off discount on league subscriptions for 2017.

"Clubs who do not provide such an umpire will receive a levy in their subscriptions for 2017 of £50."

Silsden (30 votes) and Alwoodley (31), who finished in the bottom two places in the Third Division, were re-elected for 2017.

Wetherby League champions St Chad's Broomfield received three votes.