MEMORIES of the days when Altarnun, Dobwalls, Liskeard, Lostwithiel, Pelynt-Polperro and Polruan were founder members of the Duchy Football League came flooding back when the competition held its golden jubilee dinner.

From just 20 teams in 1965, the league now has 72, spread from St Mawes to Torpoint, Newquay to Kilkhampton and even into Devon. It currently boasts six divisions, and still has 20 teams from South East Cornwall.

But from those early days only Mevagissey have stayed with the competition for consecutive years. The next best record of service is that of Pelynt, who became a club in their own right when Pelynt-Polperro were disbanded in 1977-78 – therefore, there has always been a 'Pelynt' presence in the league, too. Other founder members included Carthew, Cornwall Mills, Foxhole, Gerrans, Grampound, Probus, Real Saints, St Agnes, St Columb, St Stephen, Stratton, Tregony and the 63 Club. Guest of honour at the dinner, hosted by the Sandy Lodge Hotel in Newquay, was new Chesterfield manager Dean Saunders, who broke off from a barrage of transfer-text negotiations to help the Football League celebrate their anniversary

The former Welsh strike regaled almost 100 members, friends and guests with tales from his illustrious 20-year career.

The 50-year-old, who cited his FA Cup winners' medal (with Liverpool) as his prized possession from football, was introduced by league chairman Colin Burrell and MC for the evening David Dunkley.

Mr Dunkley said league president Brian Conyon, who has served Cornish football for more than 50 years, was unable to attend as he was recovering from heart surgery and there were also apologies from Cornwall FA chairman Geoff Lee, who has had hip replacement surgery.

Mr Burrell welcomed guests, including Cornwall FA vice-chairman David Bray; CCFA chief executive Dawn Aberdeen; former league chairman David James (also an ex-Football League referee), sponsors William Kitto (KMD Developments), Michael Chipman and Tracey Rundle (Bodmin Sports Trophies) and Wayne Sellwood (TJ International), and referees' representatives Ray Brown, Roy Buscombe and David Martin.

A toast to the league was proposed by Mr Bray; Mr Burrell thanked his vice-chairman Paul Collings for arranging the evening and Mr Dunkley thanked Peter Butterly and his hotel staff.

There were two presentations, one to Margaret Ashwood, of Godolphin Atlantic, as Secretary of the Year and the other to Mevagissey Football Club, founder members of the league and the only club to have completed all 50 consecutive seasons.

A souvenir book celebrating the 50-year history of the league compiled by league secretary Michael Newcombe was on sale. It costs £6 and is available from: [email protected]">[email protected]