Time to cast aside differences

KEVIN RICHARDSON on the challenge facing the Saddleworth League

WHY work apart when it is surely better to function as one?

The Saddleworth and District Cricket League is advertising for new clubs, while the Central Lancashire League is holding an open meeting on Monday for clubs interested in joining for next season.

Where are all these clubs going to come from? Each other’s league?

And both long-established competitions might have to face some of their members being tempted to the Greater Manchester league, which is set to start in 2016. How many will head for pastures new, no one will know until next month. But it could leave, for argument’s sake, 12 clubs in the CLL and eight in the S&DCL.

Now here is radical thought: put aside differences and the remaining teams join forces to maintain the

traditions of two local leagues.

To be honest, the two leagues should have merged years ago. Like the CLL, the S&DCL has effectively taken a step back from negotiations with organisers of the GM league, who launched their prospectus at Emirates Old Trafford only a couple of weeks ago.

The S&DCL executive committee say it is their duty to look after their members, who believe the grass isn’t greener on the other side.

Secretary Trevor Harrison: “While appreciating that some clubs will want to join the GM league, others will not and to that end the league wants to support those who are left.

“We are looking to come up with a strategy that encourages clubs to stay and one of the ways is to seek applications from new clubs.”

Of the 15 clubs in the S&DCL, Whalley Range already seem destined to jump to the GM league and it is also the “intention” of Shaw to follow suit. The players of Saddleworth are for it, but the management committee at Well-i-Hole has yet to meet.

One Saddleworth member told me the final decision must take into consideration the long-term future of the club, as well as the players’ interests.

Players come and go, but those often much-maligned men and women on club committees tend to stick around and pick up the pieces when things go belly-up.

Stayley has voted to stay put. Micklehurst is meeting tonight. It’s no surprise that Bamford Fieldhouse - thrown out of the S&DCL in 2013 - sees the GM as a way back.

“It’s an exciting prospect and we’ll be applying,” said club chairman Andy Barton. “The ground looks immaculate and we are raring to go.”

The Lancashire County League could end up losing nine of its 13 clubs. Woodhouses, Denton West, leaders Prestwich, second-placed Glossop and Dukinfield have registered for the GM, while another four have made a verbal commitment - leaving four.

Add those four to the clubs from the CLL and S&DCL who are not enticed by the GM and you could have one competition of two divisions with promotion and relegation in a relatively compact geographical area.

It’s better for those clubs to stick together, rather than be lost forever.

twitter: @kevrichardsonOC