GM group accused of inflexibility

HAVING withdrawn from talks over the proposed Greater Manchester cricket league, the Lake Garage CLL has gone ahead with plans to expand and this week formally invited applications from other clubs.

With 18 teams in two divisions, the CLL aims to increase its number to 12 in each.

This policy is at odds with the Greater Manchester pyramid proposals, which encourage leagues across the area to merge into one set-up under the GM umbrella. In pursuing its own direction, the CLL has taken a swipe at the GM steering committee, accusing it of inflexibility and of saying too much to the media.

A statement by the CLL said: “Last-minute efforts by some of the Rochdale-based CLL clubs were aimed at trying to persuade the GM steering committee that an evolutionary approach would gain more support from within the 18 CLL clubs.

“If successful, it would have meant a change to the structure released by the GM steering committee to one that would keep league names alive while maintaining the obvious advantages of promotion and

relegation in a pyramid system. The Rochdale group felt it was a proposal which could, and should, have been considered.

“It also believes there has been far too much focus on communication through the press and social media from steering group, and not enough internal communication to the clubs directly. Many clubs are concerned by the fact the GM steering committee has never recognised the groundbreaking decision made by the CLL to attempt to form two leagues of 12, therefore reducing the amount of cricket played and increasing competitiveness to the end of the season.

“It is a pity that the GM pyramid league group could not find a way to fully engage the CLL and learn from the experiences they encountered. It is very unfortunate that common ground could not be reached.”



twitter: @KeithMcHughOC