‘Pennine League’ is nearing reality

CRICKET:

PLANS are being put in place for the ‘Pennine Cricket League’ — an amalgamation of the Central Lancashire League and Saddleworth and District Cricket League — for season 2016.

The proposed merger, which is in direct response to the new Greater Manchester League, will offer two divisions, featuring promotion and relegation.

Using 24 clubs as a guide, there will be two divisions of 12 teams. If there is more than 24 clubs then the divisions would be reapportioned.

It is suggested that Division One would comprise of eight CLL and the top four SDCL clubs.

It would be made up of the top six CLL clubs in the Premier Division at the end of the current season, plus the two promoted sides from the Championship.

The bottom two in the Premier Division would be relegated to Division Two. They would play the remaining sides from the SDCL.

Keen to retain their own individual identities, the two league committees are proposing that the top flight be called Division One CLL with the second tier Division Two SDCL.

Promotion and relegation would be three up and three down for the first three seasons, after which it would be reviewed.

The leading two places in Division Two would be automatic, while the third spot would involve a play-off between third-top in Division Two and third-bottom in Division One.

Matches in Division One would be 50 overs per side and 45 in Division Two — 1pm starts.

Professionals would be compulsory in Division One, but optional in Division Two.

As for the cups, no decision has yet been made, but there is scope to run the existing four knock-out competitions involving first and second XIs.

The leagues also believe there is also scope for a third-team division, while juniors will be catered for at under-13s, 15s and 18s level. Under-11s and nines sections could also be set up if it was felt there was a need for them.

Clubs, from both leagues, will get the chance to discuss these proposals at joint meeting at Milnrow on Thursday, June 18 (8pm).

In an email sent to SDCL clubs, secretary Trevor Harrison said: “We are now firmly of the opinion that the best option to give very competitive cricket and to provide a brighter future is an amalgamation with the Central Lancashire League.

“You all know the history of the league. There are some great clubs with extremely good facilities — Littleborough, Middleton, Milnrow, Crompton, Ashton to name a few of the local ones — that would provide a good standard of cricket and stimulate a lot of local interest.

“Clubs in the CLL have voted in favour of accepting the amalgamation and two combined meetings at committee level have taken place already.

“This is just the beginning, but it is a framework that should help you to make a decision.

“Further considerations are in the pipeline, but we do see this as the best future for our clubs.”

Meanwhile, the SDCL have written to the Lancashire Cricket Board, claiming Greater Manchester League officials are “actively canvassing and trying to poach” some their clubs over joining the new competition.

Of the 18 CLL clubs this season, Clifton Heywood and Unsworth have signed up for the GM League.

Whalley Range, Wythenshawe, Glodwick and Moorside have applied from the SDCL, while South West Manchester are expected to follow.

However, of the five, only Whalley and Wythenshawe have resigned from the SDCL.