‘Great shame’ as Alliance disbands

CRICKET: THE Ashton and Oldham Cricket Alliance is disbanding due to a lack of teams.

St Mary’s, High Crompton and Greengate ‘A’ informed officials they would not be renewing their membership for the new season next May, which meant only six teams remained.

Friends, Greengate, Heyside, Europa Exiles, Newtonhurst and Foresters have already been offered places in the Greater Manchester Amateur League.

Ashton and Oldham Alliance secretary Alan Burgess said: “It is a great shame that we have come to this stage. We were thinking of continuing with six sides, but it became clear even they had reservations because if one more pulled out it would be all over anyway. It is no longer viable to go on and we are in the process of disbanding.”

The Ashton League merged with the Oldham Alliance six years ago. Both were established at the start of the 20th century and boasted dozens of teams.

Burgess added: “The Oldham Alliance had three divisions of 10 clubs and the Ashton League had 16 sides spread over two divisions, which is a far cry from the situation we find ourselves in now.

“There will be a get-together in January — a sort of wake I suppose — to reflect on the years gone by.”