Overhauling  the rule book and continuing to modernise the Fermanagh and Western League are the key objectives of Gerry Connolly if reelected secretary at local football's annual meeting next week.

Reflecting on his first year in charge, Mr Connolly said the modernisation process was a “job in progress” and that the rule book need a massive overhaul. During a frank interview with the Herald, the straight-talking secretary also hit out at some members of the organisation who he claimed continued to be “less than supportive.”

“From the first meeting I was working with a very hostile committee,” claimed the man who dramatically ousted his long-serving predecessor Neil Jardine by the narrowest margin 12 months ago. “A lot of people were waiting for me to end up with egg on my face. Quite a few had prejudged me as first and foremost a ‘Town (Enniskillen Town) man but I think over the course of the season I've proved them wrong. “Granted, the hostility did ease a little but right up until the end there continued to be sniping. There are those who continue to be less than supportive,” said the secretary, giving a flavour of some of the sentiments likely to be expressed in his end-of-season report.

During his first season at the helm, Connolly introduced a number of measures to bring efficiency and professionalism to the table. Meetings were held at same time each month, all stakeholders including the media were kept well informed of any developments, clubs were encouraged to embrace technology and steps have been taken to set up a website. From the outset the new secretary insisted that modernising the organisation would take three to five years.

At the conclusion of his first year in charge Connolly said he believed the first steps had been taken in fulfilling his initial predictions. “I always said it would take time,” he continued. “It's a job in progress but compared to where we were this time 12 months ago a lot of improvements have been made. “It will take three to five years to get the Fermanagh and Western League functioning as a modern organisation should. It needs to be dragged into the 21st century, starting with the rules.

They are so outdated, the whole thing needs a massive overhaul.” Looking back over the past 12 months Connolly admitted there had been no shortage of problems most of which were caused by the inclement weather. All things considered though he was relatively satisfied that under his administration the season had run as smoothly as possible given the circumstances. He said, “There were problems all right with a lot of call-offs but at least this season games were called off early to facilitate clubs and officials.

That wasn't the case in the recent past when clubs were being informed at the last minute. That simply wasn't good enough. “The season was finished properly which wasn't the case last season and myself and Sammy (McFrederick) were present to hand any five of the six trophies on the day that they were won. Anything else diminishes the achievement for the winners. “The only one we didn't get to hand out was to Enniskillen Rangers Reserves but it was presented at the first available opportunity. That's important to clubs."