League pulls plug on CLL merger

CRICKET: THE proposed merger between the Central Lancashire League and the Lancashire League has been scrapped.

Two of the biggest cricket leagues in the North-West had been engaged in talks for months over pooling resources and forming a powerful new organisation.

The Lancashire League, who turned down a similar CLL approach a decade ago, agreed to talks and three of their officials met their opposite numbers at Norden CC to explore the arrangement. The Lancashire League trio reported back to delegates, who voted to reject the merger.

CLL chairman Neville Fletcher (pictured) said: “Some of the Lancashire League clubs were concerned at the potential travelling and didn’t want to go ahead. We will continue to explore options.”

The Lancashire League’s decision to pull the plug will be approved by advocates of the proposed Greater Manchester pyramid system, which would feature an Elite Division and other divisions based on strength and geographical factors.

Had the CLL merged with the Lancashire League, support for the GM format would have been weakened.