Cricket: Vote to increase the size of Liverpool Competition league

Jan 8 2008 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

OFFICIALS from the 28 clubs in the Business Assistance Liverpool Competition will vote this evening on a proposal that would increase the size of the league by as nearly a third.

The Competition currently consists of two divisions of 14 sides but criticism of the quality of Premier League cricket last season has led to calls for change.

On the table at the AGM to be held at Firwood Bootle, will be three proposals, one retaining the status quo, a second which would see an expansion to 36 clubs and a move to three divisions each of 12 teams, and a third – the most radical of the trio – which would necessitate the recruitment of 12 new sides and the creation of four divisions of 10 clubs apiece.

This latter proposal would also see the league play over-limit cricket until the end of May when a reduced league programme of 18 110-over timed matches would begin.

Any changes agreed tonight would not take effect until the beginning of the 2009 season but clubs need to vote this evening so that each captain knows the situation regarding promotion and relegation in 2008. For example, if the three-divisional structure is adopted, three sides will be relegated from the Premier League in September and only one promoted from the First Division.

Clubs wishing to join the Liverpool Competition may also have some vital decisions to make. If eight new clubs are to be added, it is the current intention to reserve six places for members of the Merseyside and Southport Cricket Alliance but two slots would be available for others on Merseyside and beyond who are attracted by the prospect of changing leagues.

The AGM will also debate other proposals for change including a ban on substitute professionals, a rule prohibiting registrations after June 30 and the standardisation of the rules for knock-out games. In addition it is also proposed that Sunday Third XI cricket should be regionalised below the Premier Division, a move that will probably come as a relief to hard-pressed captains who have spent their Saturday evenings trying to recruit cricketers of various vintages prepared to undertake long away trips on the following morning.

All the officers of the Liverpool Competition look set to be re-elected unopposed with Ted Williams beginning his third year as league chairman.