Lancs League ponder Central merger (28 May 1998)

28 May 1998

Lancs League ponder Central merger

Lancashire Evening Telegraph

A MERGER between the Lancashire League and Central Lancashire League is looking a distinct possibility in the near future, writes PETER WHITE.

And, following on from talks between the Northern League and Liverpool Competition about joining forces, such a move could finally sound the death knell for the thorny proposal of an Old Trafford-led new Premier League in the county.

The Confederation of Cricket Leagues, formed in the wake of the English Cricket Board's bid to foist new-style Premier Leagues on every county, has brought the different competitions in Lancashire much closer together.

That has led to talks between the Northern League and their Liverpool neighbours about teaming up and forming three divisions with promotion and relegation.

Now the LL and the CLL could be the next to merge, as they already enjoy a close relationship and the two leagues are well matched. Nothing official has yet been discussed but I understand the subject has cropped up between clubs and officials of both leagues.

Asked about the likelihood of a future merger, Lancashire League secretary Rod Slater said: "I can only give you my personal opinion and say it would not surprise me if that happened - and probably in the not too distant future."

The Northern-Liverpool alliance is much further advanced with clubs already discussing it and Darwen chairman Peter Lamster said: "There's a lot of work to be done but I think it would be a breath of fresh air, especially with promotion and relegation.

"This could well be the way to go and it would make the proposed Premier League, as envisaged by Old Trafford, even more unlikely. "I can also see the Lancashire and Central Lancashire Leagues getting closer together."

The Confederation meanwhile are set to close the door once and for all on the Lancashire Cricket Board's idea of forming a new Premier League by drawing clubs from existing structures at their next meeting.

I believe there will be a resounding - possibly unanimous - thumbs down to that proposal.

But Mr Slater admitted: "If nothing else, the Premier League proposals have certainly stirred everybody up. Things did need improving, we have to do everything we can to compete."

Source :: Lancashire Evening Telegraph (https://www.reednews.co.uk/let/)