League Officers          

  • Chair

    Andy Chaplin

    Chair of Essex FA, Andy has been involved with the MEFL since 1998 when he became Secretary of the Competition. Andy has been involved with grassroots football for over 30 years and is an active Level 5 referee and FA Council Member.

  • Vice Chair

    Paul Gallagher
    Contact

    Paul was appointed as Vice Chair ahead of season 2022-23 after previously holding the role of Fixtures Secretary. Paul has been active in grassroots football for many years and is a long-serving Committee Member at Writtle FC.

  • Secretary

    Denise Chaplin
    Contact

    Denise, who has been around the Competition for several years, joined us in season 2023-24 when the Secretary role opened up mid-season and after proving an asset to the Competition she has been re-elected for the new season.

  • Treasurer

    Paul Cram
    Contact

    Paul first played for Trafford, which entered the Mid-Essex League as Danbury Trafford in 1982. Paul subsequently became their treasurer. Paul joined our Committee in 2008, first as Fixtures Secretary, before later becoming our Treasurer.

  • Fixtures Secretary


    Paul Stringer
    Contact

    Paul joined as Fixtures Secretary for season 2022-23. Paul is Chair of Emerson & Upminster FC, a role he has held since he founded the club in 2017. The club now has seven teams across five leagues in Essex, promoting football for all.

  • Referees Officer


    Joe Turnpenny
    Contact

    Joe is a Level 3 Contributory League referee and Level 4 Supply League Observer who has been Referees Officer since 2021. Joe also manages at Emerson & Upminster FC and is the Club Welfare Officer at Hannakins Farm FC.

  • Discipline Officer


    John Burdett
    Contact

  • Registration Secretary

    Roger Crane
    Contact

    Roger has been involved with the MEFL since 2004, and has recently been presented with a 40-year service award from Essex Referees’ Association. Roger classified as a referee in 1980 and served on the Football League for seven years.

  • Results Secretary


    Andy Chaplin


    Chair of Essex FA, Andy has been involved with the MEFL since 1998 when he became Secretary of the Competition. Andy has been involved with grassroots football for over 30 years and is an active Level 5 referee and FA Council Member.

  • Cup Final Liaison

    John Abbott
    Contact


    John has been involved with the MEFL for some time having served as a match official and more recently as Assistant Referees Officer. Since stepping away from officiating in 2023, John has served as our Cup Final Liaison Officer.

Management Committee

  • Jim Culleton

    Contact

    Jimmy is a stalwart of Essex football and life member of the MEFL, serving in several roles since 1959. Jimmy played a pivotal role in the foundation of the Essex Veterans League, at the time a subsection of the MEFL, in 1993. Has been our President since 2022.

  • Dave Grainger

    Contact

    Dave is the Chair of Old Chelmsfordians FC.

  • Terry Cove

    Contact

    Terry, who recently received the FA 50-Year Award for his dedication to grassroots football, has been involved with the MEFL since 2013. He is best known for his service to Manford Way FC, where he has been Secretary since 1975.

  • Roger Crane

    Contact

    Roger has been involved with the MEFL since 2004, and has recently been awarded with a 40-year service award from Essex Referees’ Association. Roger classified as a referee in 1980 and served on the Football League for seven years.

  • Peter Ellwood

    Contact

    Peter joined the Committee in season 2023-24 following his appointment as first team manager at Broomfield FC. Prior to Broomfield, where he also manages the Girls U10 team, Peter has had previous roles at Springfield, OCs and in the junior game.