The first ten matches of the 1972/73 season have produced mixed results, the team having achieved comfortable victories and suffered a heavy defeat.

Though the team is progressing well in both South Birmingham Sunday League Cup competitions, its league form has been disappointing. Most of the games played so far this season have been on dry, hard grounds, and it may be that the heavier grounds of winter will suit the team's playing style better.

At the time of writing the Bank team has not played any matches in the North-West Area Trustee Savings Banks Cup Tournament. In the Preliminary stage of the tournament, the teams are divided into two sections, the top two teams in each section go forward into the two-legged semi-finals. In the Bank's section are Manchester T.S.B. and Blackburn T.S.B., last season's semi-finalist and runners-up respectively.

The B.M.B's. playing record so far this season is as follows:-

Played 10; Won 6; Lost 4; For 41; Against 22

Goal Scorers: 

A. Byrne

Hon. Secretary

CONTACT: Spring 1973

At the time of writing the team seem destined for a middle-of-the-table placing in the South Birmingham Sunday League. In the League's Cup Competitions, the club reached the quarter-finals of both cups, going out to unbeaten sides on each occasion.

This season has seen the appearance of two new faces in the Bank team, Malcolm Glenn and Phillip Whitehouse. Malcolm has played in every match so far this season, whilst Phillip entered the team after a fine display in a second eleven match.

Due to NW Area TSB Cup commitments, the club has fielded a second eleven for two games. On the first occasion the Bank lost 6-0 to a much improved team, and were unlucky to lose the other game 1-0. I would like to thank the players for their enthusiasm and effort in both matches.

Leading scorers the Bank this season are as follows:

South Birmingham Sunday League Division III

BMBFC record (As at 17th February, 1973)

At the time of writing, I am awaiting the outcome of a meeting of the TSB Cup Committee concerning the future of the competition. The committee will consider possible changes in the competition in the light of fixture difficulties encountered this season.

Under the present system, each team plays seven or eight qualifying matches in each of the two divisions, the semi-final ties are two-legged.

Therefore a team playing in the final will have played at least ten matches.

Personally, I would like to see either:

(a) Regional preliminary matches with sections of no more than four teams, or

(b) A simple knock-out competition introduced.

Results so far in NW TSB Cup: