Liverpool Competition meet over league size

Oct 14 2008 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

THE number of league matches played by teams in the Business Assistance Liverpool Competition could be reduced by nearly a third from 2010 if a radical proposal is given the backing of clubs at their end-of-season meeting at Aigburth this evening.

Representatives of the 28 clubs will vote on whether to change from the current two 14-team divisions to three leagues of 10 teams apiece. If passed, the changes would not come into effect until the season after next, but they would affect promotion and relegation in 2009.

For example, only the top 10 Premier League sides would keep their current status.

One of the chief effects of the proposal being approved tonight, and at the AGM next year, would be to reduce the amount of timed or declaration matches played by the clubs from 26 to just 18. However, the L&DCC’s Cricket Committee has been at pains to point out that this format of the game will continue to be used in league games for the foreseeable future.

Supporters of the new plan believe that the 26-match league season is too long, the quality of the current two divisions is too variable and that the structure being suggested would free up time for a new limited-overs knock-out competition, thus allowing top sides match practice for the Lancashire and National Knock-Outs.

The meeting at Liverpool Cricket Club is due to begin at 7.30pm.