CLL facing crucial decisions on future

LAKE Garage CLL chairman Neville Fletcher

Cricket round up

LAKE Garage CLL chairman Neville Fletcher has described it as being possibly the pivotal period in the history of the league as a steering committee looks at its future structure.

“This is probably the biggest decision the league has had to make since it was formed in 1982,” explained Royton-based Mr Fletcher, who does not want to see things done in haste.

The steering committee, which will be chaired by former league chairman David Shepherd, has been finalised.

There will be a local influence on the committee in the shape of veteran Royton player John Punchard and ex-Oldham player and league vice-chairman Howard Schofield.

The other members of the steering committee are Heywood player Bobby Cross, Robert Holmes, Frank Manley, Glenn Kershaw, Gordon Howarth and Paul Rocca.

League president John Cleary, vice-chairman Gary Sewell and secretary Alan Wright will attend meetings, but will have no vote.

The revamp of the league will look at suggestions such as extending the size of the league and the formation of two divisions with promotion and relegation.

The steering committee will also explore ways of revamping the John Willie Lees Wood Cup and also the impact and development of Twenty20 cricket.


OLDHAM, Ashton and Milnrow have come under fire for calling off CLL under-18 Whitaker Cup matches and not informing the match umpire.

Nigel Tench, who was officiating at the Ashton match, explained that he had turned down two hours overtime at work and would have been left out of pocket even if the game had been played.

League officials, who already have a chronic shortage of umpires, fear they will have difficulty making appointments for junior matches if such incidents keep happening.


THE CLL coffers have received a £565 boost following fines during the last month.

The penalties are for a wide range of offences - failure to telephone results, late receipt of scoresheets, failure to notify the league about deputy professionals and the failure to submit captain’s reports or their late arrival.

Clifton were even penalised for having only 10 players for their first-team match against Rochdale.


UNSWORTH have been “strongly rebuked” by the CLL over their failure to follow the rules for securing a deputy professional.

They were left without a paid man for one match after Wayne Madsen returned to South Africa to attend a function.

Unsworth escaped with a warning and were given permission to play deputy pro Phil Hayes, despite the reason for Madsen’s absence being unacceptable.

League officials explained they were mindful of the difficulties and delays of many professionals arriving and they did not want to exacerbate the situation.


MONTON and Weaste have been told to get their house in order after not having anybody on the gate for their Lees Brewery Wood Cup tie against Ashton.

Ashton, who were entitled to a share of the takings, were unhappy that there was only a casual collection during the afternoon.

They were further infuriated when Monton charged £3 for adults, £1.50 for pensioners with under-18s gaining free admission when the league set charges of £4 for adults and £2 for pensioners/children.

Ironically, Monton and Weaste have been invited to stage the final of the Lees Brewery Wood Cup in 2011 while Ashton have the honour in 2012.


FORMER England captain Mike Gatting, now a leading figure on the English Cricket Board, is calling for a ban on all overseas players, both in county and league cricket.

The Lancashire Cricket Board, which looks after the interests of the local leagues, is opposing the proposal.


BURY have been forced to concede all games so far in the CLL under-18s Whitaker Cup as they have been unable to raise a team despite registering 16 players.

Once they resume fixtures they have been informed by the league that their remaining games must all be friendlies.