Cricket secretary fears exodus

A LEADING official of the Saddleworth and District Cricket League has “great concerns” for the future of the competition.

Secretary Trevor Harrison has detailed his unease in a letter to Paul Bryson, the clubs and leagues manager at the Lancashire Cricket Board.

The vote at the recent CLL annual meeting to aim for an expansion of the league from 16 to 24 clubs and the Lancashire County League’s intention to significantly increase membership, sparked the letter.

The Saddleworth league has 16 clubs for 2014 thanks to the addition of South-West Manchester, Whalley Range and Wythenshawe from the Manchester and District Association.

But Mr Harrison reckons some of the league’s clubs could be tempted to try other leagues: “We feel we are very vulnerable in this situation, both from the point of view that these leagues would be looking at our clubs and on a geographical basis,” wrote Mr Harrison.

“Where do these two leagues think they are going to recruit a total of 18 clubs?

Mr Harrison says he doesn’t want to hold back clubs wishing to better themselves, but is looking for a “show of loyalty” - especially from the league’s newcomers.