WIGGINTON Grasshoppers secured a trio of trophies after dominating the York Sunday Morning Football League season.

The all-conquering team collected the division one title along with the League Cup and York FA Sunday Morning Cup.

Hoppers were denied the chance to emulate last season’s quadruple winners King William when they fell at the final hurdle in the Challenge Trophy, beaten 2-1 by Dunnington in the final.

Selby-based Station finished as runners-up in the top division.

Marcia Grey, beaten finalists in the League Cup, were crowned champions of division two after a long-running battle with York Nomads, who also won promotion after finishing in second position.

Cliffe won division three at the first time of asking, finishing nine points clear of runners-up Marcia Bishopthorpe.

In reviewing the season, spokesman Graham Ireton said the league could boast solid foundations despite the many challenges facing Sunday morning football.

He said: “The league, which in recent years celebrated its 50th anniversary, has had to fight for survival, coming under threat primarily from many recent social changes.

“Alterations to the drinking laws have hit the Sunday morning game hard, not just on a local level, but also nationally.

“Early morning closing now means that, as teams are setting off to play, many would-be players are still working their way home from the previous night out.

“Far fewer of today’s younger players graduate to the country’s Sunday morning leagues, instead preferring to stay out all night and play a bit of midweek five-a-side instead.

“Great teams have folded in recent years – Severus, Nestle Flag, Ainsty Panthers, Derwent Arms, Skelton, Wanderers and most recently King William have all disappeared due to a lack of regular players.”

But he added: “Even with this in mind, there is still plenty to celebrate about Sunday morning football in the area.

“We still boast a hard-working committee, which has many of the local game’s long-serving and well- known supporters at the helm.

“The likes of Alan King, Barry Hamer, Dot Storr, Roy Ellwood, Ian Parker, Steve Holman and others continue to work hard to maintain this long-established and high-profile league.

“Add in a committed group of referees, club secretaries and managers who ensure that games take place, and it is clear that the league still has solid foundations.

“The York Sunday Morning League can also still boast an array of playing talent, with its teams combining many of the best players from the York Minster Engineering League with a handful of players from the Northern Counties East League.

“Indeed, a fair number of younger players still find enjoyment in the league from joining established teams. However, without serious interventions in the coming years, one of York’s best loved sporting establishments will find itself seriously under threat.

“Sunday morning football needs the local area to take note quickly and invest in this establishment, before it is too late.

“In the York, Malton and Selby areas, we have a wealth of players to draw on, in order to maintain and bolster our league.

“It is to be hoped that, sooner rather than later, today’s younger players decide to progress to the senior ranks on Sundays, joining and creating clubs which will enable this proud and historic league to survive.”

Anybody interested in sponsoring the York Sunday Morning League, or its two cup competitions, for the 2015/16 season should phone league secretary Alan King on 01904 690110.