Vote puts GM league in jeopardy

CRICKET: 

PLANS to establish a Greater Manchester pyramid-style cricket league are under threat even before its prospectus has been published.

Three leagues — the CLL, the Bolton Assciation and Greater Manchester Amateur League — have withdrawn from talks. The question now is whether the league remains tenable, given the lack of county-wide support for a pyramid-style system.

The GM prospectus is due for publication on April 30, but its initial content will be based on the support of leagues which have now decided to withdraw.

The pyramid plans have not been completely blown out of the water: individual clubs have the right to attend meetings and join.

But some clubs might see that as a gamble and in the CLL’s case, withdrawal from an established league to walk an unproven path could prove a major deterrent.

One leading player said his club abstained from the CLL vote to withdraw from talks as its officials wanted to see the prospectus first. Werneth abstained for the same reason.

Oldham skipper Rashid Hussain voted with the majority in shelving plans to join the pyramid set-up. “Being one of the founders of the CLL back in 1885, Oldham voted to stick together as we didn’t want to lose the history and standard of the league,” he said.

Heyside - who didn’t attend the latest CLL meeting - abstained by default, though is unlikely to have voted with the minority. The Little Hey Street club embarks on its debut CLL season in 2015.

Skipper Ryan Barnes said: “We understand the benefits of the pyramid system and are happy to explore all options to improve the quality of cricket in the area. But we have just joined the CLL and are comfortable to remain a part of it.”

The CLL’s delegates have instructed officials to advertise for new clubs in 2016, and feelings among other leagues are sure to be running high. The CLL will be seen as attempting to pick clubs from other associations, significantly weakening them.

twitter: @KeithMcHughOC