Heywood Cricket Club to resign from Central Lancashire League

Heywood Cricket Club, a founder member of the Central Lancashire League (CLL), is to resign from the from the CLL and apply to join the Greater Manchester Cricket League (GMCL) for the 2016 season.

It is understood the decision was taken by the committee of the club having taken into account the views of players, supporters and members.

A club spokesman said: "This decision has not been taken lightly particularly as the club is a founder member of the CLL and has enjoyed an unbroken stay in the league since its creation. The club is very proud to have won the CLL on 13 occasions and the Wood Cup on 11.

"The club will fulfil all its commitments to the CLL until the end of the current season and would like to place on record thanks to the league for the support throughout the years.

"In 2010 the club committee set out a plan to create the best facilities in the area both on and off the field for our junior players, senior players and for our supporters in an attempt to create the best opportunities for youngsters to develop and improve their cricket.

"To this end the artificial nets were constructed, 14 coaches passed their UKCC2, the pavilion frontage was completely reconstructed, practice net facilities installed on the square, a new viewing patio built, the central eight wickets completely reconstructed to create one of the best playing areas in the county and a new changing room block is in the process of being built.

"The committee feel that the playing structure should match this ongoing ambition and there were effectively three options for the club, join the GMCL, remain in the CLL as it currently exists or to remain in the CLL as part of a merger with the Saddleworth League, a proposal announced by the league on Tuesday evening. It was confirmed by the CLL that, in all likelihood, the full details of this last proposal would not be available to clubs prior to the 30 June deadline.

"We believe that joining a structure that attempts to encompass all local cricket was the best solution to the original concerns of repetition of fixtures, continued loss of talented youngsters to other leagues and general apathy from supporters towards the current and proposed league structures.

"The club now looks forward with great excitement to moving into the new GMCL structure and will be working extremely hard alongside those that have already declared their interest to ensure that junior cricket is well organised and easily accessible for 2016 in order that our thriving junior section can continue to develop."