League chairman to step down with immediate effect
2nd July, 2020
It is with regret that the Toolstation Northern Counties East Football League have to announce the stepping down of chairman David Morrall with immediate effect due to ill health.
The League received written confirmation from David on Wednesday morning that he will not be seeking re-election at the next AGM.
He also sent his best wishes to everyone connected with the competition, along with his hopes that the NCEL continues to progress in the future.
David joined the league's management board in 2001 following his retirement as a match official, having been a Premier League assistant referee and running the line in the 1998 Charity Shield match between Arsenal and Manchester United.
He was fixtures secretary until 2018 whilst he continued being referees secretary and chairman until his decision to step down.
David also represented the league and fought the corner for the whole of Step 5 and Step 6 football at a national level, being part of and chairing FA committees dedicated to championing the cause of the game lower down the National League System.
The League will be forever grateful for the time and the dedication that David has put in to helping ensure that the NCEL is one of the most respected competitions in non-league over a twenty-year spell where seismic changes have taken place in the running of football at our level.
We wish David and his family all the very best for the future and will be keen to ensure his vast experience can continue to be used in some capacity as the competition continues to evolve.
We would also like to thank all of our clubs who have sent us messages after we informed them of David's departure earlier today - we've been overwhelmed by the response and will pass them all on to him.
The Toolstation NCEL will now be looking to elect a new chairman as soon as it is possible to do so with the current COVID-19 situation.