League facing crucial period

Pennine Cricket League

THE JW Lees Brewery Pennine Cricket League is facing a pivotal spell in its embryonic history.

With five clubs switching to the Lancashire League in 2018, others are now considering their PCL futures.

Royton chairman Tony Spence revealed at the April monthly meeting that they have already spoken to the Greater Manchester Cricket League (GMCL), while Greenfield have held "brief talks". The Moorside representative intimated that they, too, may look elsewhere.

"Where do we go from here?" asked Spence.

"We are worried. Our club is 140 years old, it has a lot of history, everyone wants it to continue for another 140 years," he added.

CONCERNS

Spence raised his concerns after Middleton, Norden, Littleborough, Rochdale and Walsden confirmed they would join the Lancashire League after only two seasons in the PCL.

Richard Hepworth, the Greenfield representative, suggested that the remaining 19 clubs should approach the GMCL en bloc with regard to a possible move.

Representatives were told to take the idea back to their clubs, for a further discussion at the next league meeting in May.

Some clubs are firmly behind the PCL and are keen for it to carry on.

Adam Young, of Austerlands, said: "We all can understand the concerns, but are support is with the PCL.

"Even if it comes to down 14 clubs or so, that's enough for a league competition.

"Let's promote what is good about it and make it work."

The PCL, an amalgamation of Central Lancashire League and Saddleworth League clubs, enjoyed an excellent first season in 2016, with titles and promotion issues going down to the wire.

PCL vice-chairman Glenn Kershaw, who worked tirelessly to help set up the two-division competition, said: "Hearing all this is really painful.

'BENEFIT'

"The competition is for the benefit and betterment of the clubs and to see it unravel is quite upsetting."

Because of the uncertainty surrounding the number of clubs who will remain in the PCL, the ground grant scheme, backed by sponsors JW Lees Brewery, has been temporarily suspended until the situation becomes much clearer.

Friarmere, who have already had their grant sanctioned, will receive money for improvements to their West View ground.

EGERTON, who were accepted into the Lancashire League, have since declined the offer and will remain the GMCL.