Shropshire's biggest cricket leagues to combine

Shropshire's two biggest cricket leagues willcombine and boast more than 60 clubs - from the start of next season.

Marston's Shropshire Premier League clubs gave a resounding thumbs up to a proposed merger with the FBC Manby Bowdler Shropshire League at a specially convened meeting at Reman Services in Shrewsbury last night.

Of the 11 clubs that attended the Shropshire Cricket Board-arranged gathering, 10 voted in favour of a merger in the secret ballot.

And, in a subsequent vote, there was unanimous approval for the umbrella league to be introduced from the start of the 2012 campaign.

"I'm absolutely delighted with the way it went," said Shropshire Cricket Board chairman Bob Williams.

"All we have done so far is agree it in principle and there is a lot of work to do on the details now.

"But it has to be for the good of Shropshire cricket."

The decision to implement the revamp over the coming winter - which had already been approved by the FBC league — could lead to a frantic scramble for places in the new top level of Shropshire cricket which is set to be limited to 12 teams.

There are 14 in the Marston's league which could increase by two if St Georges and Oswestry are one of the four clubs relegated from the Birmingham League.

The number of clubs in the top flight could rise to 17 if the FBC champions are eligible for promotion and the Marston's winners decline to move up to the Birmingham League, as Madeley did last season.

And under that worst case scenario, as many as five Marston's clubs could find themselves relegated at the end of this season.

A working party comprising two Board members and three representatives from clubs from each of the two leagues will now be formed.

Madeley - who sent apologies - Newtown and Shelton failed to attend last night.

By JAMES GARRISON