League plans cap on ex-pros

CLUBS could be limited to the number of ex-professionals they can play in the Armstrongs Office Furniture Saddleworth and District Cricket League next season.

At present, each club is allowed one paid man, but there is no constraint on the amount of former pros they can field at any one time.

Bamford Fieldhouse, for example, can boast Darren Shadford, Simon Marshall, Paddy McKeown, Mark Chadwick (Lancashire), Marlon Black (West Indies) and Mel Austin (Heyside) as amateurs who have been professionals in the past.

Overseas amateur Lincoln Roberts played for Trinidad and Tobago and made one Test appearance for the West Indies, while current club pro Stephen Parry plays for Lancashire.

The league’s executive committee wants to restrict the number of ex-pros who can play at any one time.

They are ready to table a rule change and are preparing to issue a proposal to each club for discussion.

The league are also expected to submit a rule change concerning overseas amateurs for 2010.

They want to impose an age limit and also prohibit those players with previous first-class experience playing as overseas amateurs.




FOR the first time in the league’s history, the annual dinner and prize presentation will be a mixed evening.



Numbers have dropped significantly in recent years and league officials hope this move will boost attendance figures.

The dinner will take place at Uppermill Civic Hall on Friday, November 27.




HOLLINWOOD, the holders, have been drawn away to Heyside in round one of the Twenty20 Cup.



Beaten finalists Shaw are also on their travels as they go to Stayley.

First round draw is —

Droylsden v Glodwick; Stayley v Shaw; Saddleworth v Friarmere; Heyside v Hollinwood. Byes: Moorside, Austerlands, Greenfield, Uppermill.

Ties to be played, Friday June 12.

Second-round draw is —

Austerlands v Stayley/Shaw; Uppermill v Moorside; Droylsden/Glodwick v Greenfield; Saddleworth/Friarmere v Heyside/Hollinwood.

Ties to be played, Friday July 9.

The competition will again be sponsored by 20-20 Vision, of Uppermill.




BAMFORD Fieldhouse have withdrawn their team from the under-17s division as many of their players won’t be available because they are studying for or sitting exams.