Cricket league letter released

The Central Lancashire League and Saddleworth League have released a copy of a letter which is being sent to all cricket clubs in the immediate and surrounding areas.

It reads:

Dear Secretary

As you will be fully aware there is a great deal of change on the horizon about the way in which cricket will be organised within our area from 2016.

The Greater Manchester Cricket League has been newly formed following a winter of much discussion and input from club and league officials.

So far two leagues will go out of existence if things go as planned, as some clubs gather under the new GMCL banner.

The work and endeavour put in by the people behind the project of trying to set up a new pyramid structure has been tremendous, and we in the CLCL and the SDCL salute their efforts.

Unfortunately the new format does not appeal to everyone, and this is not the result many have worked hard to achieve.

The recent decision by the Bolton Cricket League to expand its current set up, which will hopefully take in the disaffected Bolton and District Cricket Association clubs who have not already stated their intention to join the GMCL, came as a body blow to the whole project of creating a Greater Manchester cricket pyramid.

Without the majority of the Bolton leagues the GMCL will be missing some of the best clubs in the area, and this in turn lessens the attraction of joining the set up.

The CLCL and the SDCL recognised this reality a number of weeks ago and began working together to create a new alliance that effectively unites the Eastern side of the area centred around the Tameside, Oldham, and Rochdale areas.

This Pennine region is renowned for its intense local rivalry’s and produces some of the most competitive cricket in the North West.

The CLCL was at the forefront of change and led the way two years ago by splitting into two divisions in an effort to modernise the game and take into account players requirements to help them balance their cricket and the demands of modern family life.

Divisions of 12 not only mean less games, they also create and maintain interest. Promotion and relegation between the divisions ensures every club has something to play up to the end of each season.

During its two years of two-divisional operation the only major complaint from players and officials in the CLL has been the repetition of playing the same sides at least four times each season due to the fact not enough clubs had been recruited.

The introduction of Heyside and Elton this year relieved this issue a little, but clubs still have to play each other three times.

However, the positives far outweigh the negatives, and some of the most intense and competitive cricket has been played, with some compelling battles resulting in many last over deciders.

Another huge success of the two division system has been the revival of a number of clubs which had been struggling in the last few years. Ask Oldham and Ashton how interest has been regained at both clubs by having more opportunities to play competitive games and less one-sided affairs against stronger clubs.

Much has been said by others about ‘heads in the sand’ ‘dinosaurs’ ‘preserving history and tradition’ ‘elitists’ which we will not even attempt to defend, as each allegation is laughable in its own right.

The facts are that the SDCL and CLCL have both been open to accepting new clubs, and the SDCL in particular played a major part in helping clubs left out on a limb by the breakup of the MDCA by finding them places in their league to continue to play cricket.

The CLCL has always opened the doors to clubs with ambition, indeed the current champions Norden only entered the League in 1981, and Hyde who have subsequently left and gone on to bigger and better things are great examples of the progressive nature of both leagues.

Monton and Weaste joined the CLL to experience playing at better grounds and have been enthusiastic and valued members of the league ever since.

The current discussions around the development of a Greater Manchester Pyramid, far from being a disaster, have created an environment for the logical amalgamation of the two leagues.

With both looking to expand, and the geographical adjacency of the clubs, it is a bigger surprise that it had not been discussed before. When you add in the ease into which both junior set ups can dovetail each other it makes even more sense.

Much work is going on in the background to finalise the proposed rules and playing regulations. The progress is remarkable given the short time discussions have been going on, which gives another indication that both leagues are not far apart geographically and in thinking.

Some of the topics discussed have already been released to the press as a taster for how things are progressing. We expect to be able to release more concrete proposals during next Thursday’s meeting of clubs from both leagues at Milnrow Cricket Club.

We are taking the opportunity to look at introducing ECB Premier League playing conditions to ensure that we are in tune with best practice across the Country.

Discussions with potential sponsors are at an advanced stage and we are looking at some innovate funding that will compliment and improve existing facilities and coaching opportunities at all clubs.
History and tradition are only useful if complimented by a progressive outlook, and if people keep an eye to the future.

The two divisional system in the CLL has been a huge success, and now there is an opportunity to support it with the correct numbers.
With respect to our colleagues of the GMCL we already have a model that works, and if it is not broken then it doesn’t need fixing

If you are interested in what we are proposing and would like to know more please contact David Whiteman of the CLL (01706 365227).

Alternatively we are willing to come to your club to answer any questions you or your players and members may have.

Developing the future together – The Pennine Way!