LESS than 20 minutes was all that was needed to say hello and goodbye at this year's Cornwall County Football Association annual general meeting held at Penrice School in St Austell.

In fact, it took longer to find a parking space in the cramped school car park than it did to conduct the business.

With all reports circulated beforehand, previous labour-intensive meetings of hour upon hour were well and truly consigned to the history books.

Talking of history, the present county chairman, Mr Brian Conyon paid tribute to the late Mr John Ryder, the former county secretary and treasurer.

He said: "Despite what some people said, a lot of what has happened today is due to his efforts in obtaining our (county) offices. It was his baby.

"John had his good points and he had some which we did not agree with, but his heart was in the county football association."

He also mentioned the tragic death of Saltash United youngster Ben Pinkham.

A minute's silence was held in respect of those who had died in the war in Iraq and members who had died during the year."

Mr Conyon also praised the work of administration secretary, Mr Terry Williams of Falmouth, who, he said, along with Terry's predecessor, his father, had served the county for 70 years.

"He does a tremendous amount of work behind the scenes and is held in high esteem," said Mr Conyon.

Although the meeting moved swiftly through the business, it was not all plain sailing.

Mr Mike Wilson, treasurer of the Carlsberg SWL and Cornwall FA vice-president, took exception to an item in Mr Ian Anear's county report on referees in which it criticised the league over its "failure to appoint referees to its matches in accordance with rules and regulations laid down by the Football Association."

"I find it a totally offensive remark quite frankly and it appears to me that this body has set itself up as judge and jury," said Mr Wilson. "No decision has yet been made on this matter by the Football Association although we have been relentlessly pursued by this body all season.

"I have received a letter on this matter from Mr R C Guest, the referees' officer at the Football Association, and to quote his letter on the Ist of May: "No referee has been disadvantaged by the appointing of referees in the SWL."

Clearly annoyed by the paragraph, Mr Wilson added: "Although I would probably agree we are not perfect in our appointing of referees, I really do feel we give our referees a very fair crack of the whip and I would suggest that, probably, the county referees' body is not totally perfect either."

The report referred to the pecking order in which officials were appointed, ie, Western League line, those aspiring to Western League line, officials under 42, and officials over 42.

Carlsberg SWL secretary Mr Ray Rowe, commenting later, said that there were some anomalies due to unavoidable circumstances, but for the most part appointments certainly were done correctly. "We consider that we do appoint correctly," he said.

The other bonus for some clubs, apart from the short meeting, was the presentation of cheques by the county.

The Easter Monday Senior Cup Final winners, Liskeard Athletic, received a cheque for £1,000; runners-up St Blazey, £600. Junior Cup winners, Biscovey, £600; runners-up, Cury, £350. Ladies Cup winners, Newquay, £150; runners-up, Launceston, £75. Sunday Cup winners, St Dennis, £100; runners-up, Penryn Borough, £50.

In his previously circulated report, Mr Barry Cudmore, coun ty secretary, said there had been an increase in reported disciplinary offences.

Total cases dealt with were 3,655 compared to 3,332 in 2001/2002. Cautions amounted to 2,923, send-offs or equivalent offences 743.

Fifty-five clubs exceeded stage 1 of the penalty points system, four exceeded stage two and two exceeded stage 3.

All the officers were elected en bloc as were the divisional representatives, but the appointment of a honorary referees' secretary was still to be announced.