A SURPRISE merger between the SWB Commercials Saddleworth and District Cricket League and the Central Lancashire League could be finalised as early as next week.
Clubs from both leagues meet at Milnrow Cricket Club on Thursday, June 18 to decide whether to amalgamate in the wake of the formation of the Greater Manchester Cricket League which begins in 2016.
With both the Saddleworth League and CLL set to lose clubs to the new league, both leagues would be unviable with a reduced number of clubs.
But by merging, it is hoped that it would create a strong league comprising two divisions.
Saddleworth League secretary Trevor Harrison admitted he has been surprised by the speed of negotiations.
He explained: “It has all come about in the last fortnight, and you would not have believed what has happened since then as the movement has been rapid.
“Our league officials have met with the CLL twice and have formed a framework of how the new league will operate.
“The new league has been accepted in principle by CLL clubs and I have sent out an email to our clubs setting out what has been proposed and asking them to consider it.
“Clubs from the two leagues will meet at Milnrow when a decision is likely to be reached.”
Initially it was thought the Saddleworth League and CLL would cease to exist if clubs moved en block to join the Greater Manchester Cricket League.
But it has since emerged that many won’t all be leaving as only Wythenshawe and Whalley Range have resigned from the Saddleworth League with Glodwick also indicating they may leave. Clifton, Unsworth and Heywood have confirmed they are to depart the CLL.
Mr Harrison said: “We accept if we lose three or four clubs, we won’t have a viable league. Likewise the CLL knows that if it loses clubs, it won’t be in a position to run a two division league.
“Hopefully by joining together we will have a strong league with a lot of local interest. I would have thought it would be a lot better to have Moorside and Greenfield playing Crompton and Littleborough than having to go to places like Westhoughton or Horwich in the new league.”
It was originally hoped that around 150 clubs from eight leagues from within Greater Manchester would form the new set up, though the number of clubs signed up was last put at 38.
Mr Harrison believes many Saddleworth League clubs have had second thoughts.
He explained: “Our clubs didn’t know where they would be placed and the ground criteria would have precluded some from ever getting to the upper echelons.
“Our league officials went to meetings of the new league and got the feeling we were not being listened to.
“Initially it was supposed to start in 2017 with 2016 considered too soon, but it was apparently it was being driven through at any cost.”
SADDLEWORTH remain the pacesetters in the first division closely followed by Moorside and Greenfield as three local clubs make the early running.
The tie in the second rounds of the Tanner Cup and Moore Cup take place on Sunday, June 21 and are as follows.
Tanner Cup: Micklehurst v Austerlands, Glodwick v Stayley, Friarmere v Greenfield, Saddleworth v Whalley Range.
Moore Cup: Whalley Range v Saddleworth, South West Manchester v Micklehurst, Stayley v Glodwick, Greenfield v Friarmere.
