Pennine League gets green light

Photo: -DARREN ROBINSON-

MEETING POINT: a packed floor at Milnrow last night.

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ROYTON has pledged its allegiance to the CLL-Saddleworth League merger into a Pennine League, rather than joining the new Greater Manchester League.

The club joined Norden in affirming their future at the end of a meeting of interested clubs from both leagues at Milnrow last night.

Confusion initially reigned over the merger’s validity, but all the clubs represented voted to rubber stamp the proposal and this proved the key issue in persuading the Royton contingent.

They were followed by Norden, for whom Dexter Fitton had earlier given a passionate speech in support of the CLL.

Earlier, club representatives from both leagues were addressed by speakers extolling the virtue of the new Pennine League. On the top table were the CLL’s Neville Fletcher (chairman), David Shepherd (President), Alan Wright (treasurer) and Colin Jackson (deputy chairman). Eddie Bayliss (chairman), Mike Ward (treasurer), and committee men Peter Gill and John Patterson represented the Saddleworth League.

The PL’s aims were outlined by Littleborough’s Glenn Kershaw, described by Mr Fletcher as the architect of the league proposals. A member of the CLL management committee for 18 months, Mr Kershaw said: “There is a need for change, but the GM league doesn’t appeal to everyone.”

He outlined proposals for a league based on Saturday cricket, with cup competitions on Sundays. He said an open league system, whereby clubs could pay whom they wanted to play for them, was being considered.

This provoked a mixed reaction, but Mr Kershaw said this issue and any other would be considered by Pennine League member clubs.

JW Lees, which has sponsored the CLL for 32 years is to provide “substantial” backing over five years for the new league.

The meeting decided on the need to establish final numbers before the GM league’s cut-off point on June 30. They want clubs to state their intentions by June 28, hoping some clubs that have decided to join the GM league might reconsider their position.

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