A ROW, which erupted with the sacking of Oxfordshire FA general secretary Ron Leaver more than three months ago, finally comes to a head tonight, writes Michael Knox.

The OFA, under pressure from their member leagues and clubs, hold what is likely to be a lively extraordinary meeting at Rover Cowley Social Club, Romanway, Oxford, starting at 7pm.

The OFA directors are set to face a vote of no confidence from a 50-strong band of 'rebel' clubs for their handling of the 'Leaver affair'.

The rebels also want wholesale changes to the constitution to give the leagues and clubs more say in the running of OFA affairs.

"We want to bring power back to the general council of the OFA and not to the directors, who have failed miserably," said Witney Town chairman Brian Constable, a leading advocate for change.

At present, the member clubs and leagues have 12 representatives on the 31-strong OFA Council. Two amendments propose that the figure be raised to 16 and 20. The meeting will also discuss proposals to take powers away from the seven directors and thus increase the powers of the Council.

Leaver said that his reappointment as secretary was not the key issue.

"All I want is for the clubs and leagues to have the final say as to how football is run in the Oxfordshire," he said.

"If the proposed amendments are passed and the OFA want me as secretary, then that is a matter for them."

All proposed changes to the Articles of Association must have the blessing of the Football Association, who have not yet indicated their approval.

So there may be a delay in the appointment of new officers. There are certainly some gaps to fill. Following Leaver's dismissal, which he claims was not done in accordance with the OFA's rules, and the subsequent resignations of chairman Ray Mills and vice-chairman Dickie Offord, the OFA are now down to four directors.

They are David Tutton, who will chair the meeting, Pete Begley, Ron Stevens and John Webb.

If the rebels have their way, the OFA will look a lot different after tonight's meeting.

Story date: Monday 20 March

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