Sunday league merger edges closer

ALL eyes will be on the Radcliffe Borough FC venue of Stainton Park on Wednesday as the Oldham Sunday League takes on its Bolton counterparts in a representative team match to celebrate both league's 50th anniversaries (7.30pm), writes JOHN GILDER.

But this is no ordinary inter-league fixture, with the coming together of both leagues of massive significance as a merger of the two ailing set-ups gathers pace.

OFFICIALS

Oldham Sunday League vice-chairman Steve Diggle spent an afternoon with Bolton officials earlier this week to discuss the merger, an historic move which he is very enthusiastic about.

Diggle said: "I loved the talks with Bolton and I think a merger will be a really good thing for us.

"I met with John Treacy from Lancashire FA (Bolton's administering County) and Bolton's referees' secretary Chris Levell and talks progressed very well.

"Bolton have had a very good disciplinary record from their clubs over the years and they have a good way of dealing with poor discipline. It is a good model.

"Both leagues are 50 years old and the match at Radcliffe Borough is not just an ordinary inter-league match, but the main celebration of that milestone."

Diggle added: "There will obviously be a lot of things to sort out for the merger of the two leagues to become a reality, not least of which is because the OSL is part of Manchester County FA as opposed to Bolton being with the LFA.

"There will have to be consultation with our existing clubs but let's face it we are down on our knees right now with just twenty teams (Bolton are in a similar predicament) and so far only one new team has shown an interest in joining us for next season.

"I am confident that a merger could well be in place in time for next season."

Dwindling numbers in Sunday football are quite common around the North-West, as is the case with the Bury Sunday League with just 12 teams, and they too could become part of the Oldham-Bolton merger.

Some Sunday leagues are thriving however, with the Blackpool and Fylde Sunday Alliance boasting 38 teams and closer to home, the Rochdale Sunday League with 27 - four of which are from Oldham - and the Tameside League with 32 teams, three of which are Oldham-based.

SIGNIFICANCE

Of significance for the Tameside League is their junior section, which caters for players in the under-10s to under-19s category.

Junior sections attached to open-age leagues could well be the way forward to a revitalisation of Sunday football.

Crown FC manager Paul Marshall takes charge of Oldham's representative side for the first time against Bolton.