Bamford lose vote to join Northern League

Bamford Fieldhouse are staying in the Armstrongs Office Furniture Saddleworth and District Cricket League for the foreseeable future.

Champions for four of the last five seasons, the Hollin Lane side were thwarted in their attempt to join the Northern Cricket League in 2011.

The vote, which was held at the NCL’s annual meeting, went 9-4 against Bamford.

One reason why they didn’t get in, according to NCL chairman Norman Poole, was the amount of travelling that would be involved.

While disappointed with the outcome, Bamford chairman Andy Barton reiterated his reason why they wish to play the game elsewhere.

He said: “At the end of the day all we want to do is further our cricket, and we’d be quite happy to stay in the Saddleworth League to do that, but changes need to be made.

“For instance, we are one of the only leagues in the country that don’t use fielding restrictions or impose leg-side wides. Things like that can make a difference.”

Meanwhile, Fieldhouse have not entered the League's Twenty20 Cup competition next season.


Concerns were raised at November’s Saddleworth and District Cricket League meeting with regard to the turn out for this year’s annual dinner at Uppermill Civic Hall.

For the first time, the league’s end-of-season presentation night was advertised as a mixed function, but only 100 people attended. A singer provided the entertainment, instead of a guest speaker and comedian.

Double winners Bamford Fieldhouse were not represented.

The format will be discussed at February’s meeting in the hope that the league committee and clubs can come up with a successful formula for 2010.