HGTA Herefordshire Junior League Under-9 and Under-10 managers are being asked to show more respect to match officials in an attempt to improve crowd behaviour at games.

The move follows a meeting called for all club secretaries and managers at these age groups after league concerns over growing problems of spectator behaviour had been voiced recently.

Officials of the Herefordshire Football Association, the Herefordshire Referees Association and the Herefordshire Junior Football League also attended the meeting, which was held in an open and convivial atmosphere.

Those present agreed that improvements were necessary and various ways to achieve this were suggested and discussed.

With immediate effect, it was agreed that all teams would make every effort to improve matters and report any incidents involving spectators.

"Managers were also asked to respect the match officials, especially the young, newly-qualified referee, and make every effort to make the atmosphere at games less intimidating and to provide him with maximum assistance and support," said league secretary Dave Higgins.

l See Sports Times 4 for this week's Junior League round-up.