GRASSINGTON United Reserves have won the Craven Herald's Fair Play Trophy. The competition has run throughout the football season, with referees marking clubs for their sportsmanship and behaviour.

Grassington's Reserves finished with the highest average mark, with two other reserve sides in second and joint third places - Hellifield and Bradley.

As well as the trophy, there was a cheque for £200 for the winners and £50 for the runners-up.

Karen Quigley, secretary of Grassington, was presented with the award by Craven Herald editor Ian Lockwood at the annual meeting of the Craven Football League.

Mr Lockwood said the trophy was presented in response to a referee crisis which was being felt not just in Craven but throughout the game.

"It is not just about dishing out yellow cards and players accepting referees' decisions," said Mr Lockwood.

"It is about the way officials and spectators conduct themselves.

"Expenses should be paid promptly and without having to be chased, referees should be welcomed to the ground and treated properly, no matter what the result.

"If clubs behave themselves in a civilised and sporting manner, then it will only be good for the long term development of the game and retention of referees."

Gerry Aldersley, chairman of the Craven Football League, said there had been an improvement in the general be-haviour of clubs and he would like to think the Fair Play Trophy had something to do with it.

"Certainly we have more referees than we have had for a long time," he said. "The vast majority of clubs have im-proved and we have to deal with less complaints than we did formerly."

It is the second year the competition has been running, and clubs have to receive a minimum number of marks form neutral referees.

Last year's winners were Gargrave first team.