Clubs in limbo over way forward

CLUBS don’t know whether to stick or twist.

The carrot dangled in front of them — the all new Greater Manchester league which begins in 2016 — has so far attracted 31 followers and more are expected.

With talks between Central Lancashire League and Saddleworth and District Cricket League officials over a possible alliance, clubs now have a third option regarding their future. Before this twist, clubs had a straightforward choice: stay in the two long-established competitions or embrace big changes.

I welcome a merger between the two local leagues for clubs who don’t feel the GM league best suits their needs. The two leagues should have got together years ago.

Clubs in the Saddleworth League who were swaying towards jumping ship are perhaps thinking again.

It is all too late, though. Senior club officials have told me it will be difficult to make a decision based on the scant information currently available. Time is running out for clubs to resign from their competitions to join the GM league.

With this is mind the Saddleworth League has extended its deadline by two months in the hope that a different path can be marked out. In that period they hope more detail will emerge on the way an amalgamation will work.

A Saddleworth League spokesperson said: “Talks will continue with the CLL and while we appreciate there is nothing definite yet, I hope clubs will bear with us.”

Looking at it from the CLL side, Heyside skipper Ryan Barnes admits it would be quite ironic if his team was to end up playing clubs such as Droylsden and Stayley again if the two leagues link. This is Heyside’s first campaign in the CLL following their switch from Saddleworth after 57 years.

“It would be funny if we started seeing some of the Saddleworth League players and grounds again,” said Barnes. “I know it’s far from agreed yet, but a merger between the two sounds like the right idea to me. It certainly wouldn’t do the game any harm.

“We’re very content with the CLL now and we’re enjoying the new competition this year, so we’ll support any decision they come up with.”

There is a meeting of all CLL clubs at Littleborough tonight — at least two officials have been asked to attend — to discuss the possibilities of merger (8.30pm).