Door left ajar for open league case

THE Lake Garage CLL has vetoed a proposal to become an ‘open’ league which would remove suspicions of illegal payments to players.

The management committee has discussed the suggestion at length, but decided that it is not in the best interests of the league to implement from the 2009 season.

There had been a lobby by several clubs to remove the current restrictions which only permit payment of a professional.

For many years there have been allegations of clubs paying amateur players either directly or through an outside benefactor.

Clubs, including Oldham, believe that by making the league ‘open’ that would end the controversy once and for all making is permissible to play all 11 players if a club so desired.

CLL secretary Alan Wright says that it is by no means a open-and-closed case as further discussions are planned.

He explained that the CLL is to hold a summit of clubs this winter to discuss a wide raft of changes which have been suggested.

Middleton have been lobbying for the format of the John Willie Lees Wood Cup to be revamped as they are seeking to introduce an initial group phase leading into an eight-team knockout.

Walsden have suggested splitting the 16 teams into two conferences for the league campaign to create additional interest.

And that the formation of two divisions is something that Oldham are also advocating. They would like to see the CLL expand to 22 or 24 clubs believing promotion and relegation would revive interest as league cricket has been in decline for many years.

League officials hope to discuss a wide range of suggestions at the meeting after which they can start to chart a way forward for the future of the CLL.

Of more immediate concern, the CLL is to recommend to its annual meeting next month that the current constitution of 16 clubs remains for the 2009 season.



MONTON and Weaste have banned their bowler Chris Costa for the opening five matches of the 2009 season.

It follows an incident in the second-team Burton Cup final in which Costa impeded a Littleborough batsman while he was running between the wickets.

In view of the action taken by Monton and Weaste, the CLL management decided to take no further action.