Saddleworth League planning to restrict 1st. class players..

[anotherbob]

The Saddleworth League Executive has asked clubs to consider the possibility of restricting the number of players who have played 1st. Class cricket that Clubs can sign as "amateurs". They explicitly mention Bamford's current crop which includes Darren Shadford, Paddy McKeown and Simon Marshall who we are expected to believe are amateurs.
I think it might be a good way of tackling the illegal payment of players, since you are never going to be able to prove that money (or conservatories) has changed hands, while it is common knowledge who has played 1st. class cricket.

[Roytonian]

Think it would have to depend on how long it was since they played first class,Dion Taljard is in Royton seconds at the minute helping the Captain bring on the young players,he once took hat trick against Pakistan but surely you couldnt penalise players doing this.

[anotherbob]

You're quite right, there would have to be a sensible time limit in any such regulation. I would start the bidding at 12 years, and a minimum of five matches. However, the suggestion is to restrict, not exclude such players. So you could have a rule which allowed one in a team, in addition to the Overseas Amateur and the Pro.

[Duckworth]

If this scheme is implemented then there will be some former 1st class players who will simply move to another league.

Whether that is a good thing or a bad thing for the SDCL is up for debate

[CommitteeMan]

It might mean that SDCL clubs will go on making illegal payments, but the value of players who haven't played 1st. class will go up. There's plenty of them already getting a drop.

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CommitteeMan

[DavidLees]

Bob,
Do you mean 12 years since they played 5 first class games?
there should be some consideration to 1st class players returning to the club that nurtured them during the days in the Junior team, example being say Kyle Hogg being forced to retire through injury, unable to pro because of insurance implications, Greenfield would want him to play for their side.
It may be easier if the Saddleworth League only allowed ex 1st class players who already had new windows and a conservatory.

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David Lees

[raymondo]

Makes me glad in Bowton we all all live in terraced houses with a preservation order!
Conservatories, double glazin' never catch on.

[CommitteeMan]

It seems that they are looking at a maximum of 10 seasons since a player played 1st. Class, and it will include List A games. Also being considered is an age limit on Overseas Amateurs (23?, 25?) and they must not have any 1st. Class experience.
Now all they have to do is to get the clubs to vote for it. Don't think Bamford will! But we all know they only sign all their mercenaries to try for the Cockspur Cup.

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CommitteeMan

[DavidLees]

The Staffordshire League have some decent rules they are a feeder to the Birmingham Premier League each club can have one of the following:
An overseas player
A paid professional
A player under the age of 40 who has played 1st class cricket in the past 10 years.

They recently altered their residency rule to living in the UK for 3 years, all their overseas players are vetted before they play!
No substitues/deputies allowed, next season their registration system will all be done on play-cricket.com
Look at the way they discipline clubs who break rules re registration of overseas players.
http://www.staffsclubcricket.org.uk/

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David Lees

[Ex-Kirkholt]

There is quite a large drop-out rate in the 1st Class game. Do we want to lose the benefits these good quality, experienced players can bring to the "recreational" game at both adult and junior levels ?

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It looked out to me !

[DavidLees]

Saddleworth League AGM Thursday 29th October 2009
Loads of proposals, someone post the changes before the Chron

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David Lees

[CC124]

I hope they pass the leg side wide rule. That should stop some negative bowling. The fielding restriction rule sounds good too. Should stop those captains who like to place 5 men on the edge after they've put a score on the board.

[DavidLees]

cc124 those two didnt get through, very few changes, no clubs resigned.

Here's a thought though, what would happen in this hypothetical situation:
Club A in League (ii) backed by wealthy business man with more money than sense merges with Club B who have no money and are in a right mess in League (i) to form One club with 4 teams, 2 teams in League (ii) who then decide to play all its fixtures at the ground that old Club B used to own and the two teams in League (i) then decide to play their games at the ground where Club A played at.

Would League (i) be happy with this?

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David Lees

[raymondo]

How many players from club B would stay, including second team playetrs, and how much would it cost to replace them?
And presumably the National KO would now be out of the question as League i do not have sufficient free Sundays?

[DavidLees]

Money isnt a problem all the players would stay, the Club could have say 14 players registered for League i Divs 1 & 2 and the rest registered for League ii Divs 1 & 2.
All the players could play in the National Knockout as they would all be bone fide club members
Yes League i could have as many as 30 fixtures and a cup competition but as the club now have 2 grounds at their disposal entry in the National KO isnt a problem
The logistics are a problem and who is eligible to play in the Lancs Knockout would be interesting.
And this isnt as far fetches as it sounds!!!

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David Lees