ECB Cornwall Premier League 2006

CCL Press Release July 2005

The Jolly's Drinks ECB Cornwall Premier Clubs had a positive and productive discussion forum with the League Management, held at Truro on Friday 1st July 2005. The meeting was hastily convened to discuss the way forward, following the withdrawals of Menheniot and Helston from the Premier League this season. Following a two-hour discussion, the general mood was upbeat with clubs unanimously endorsing the Premier League concept and principles. Though there was the inevitable disappointment at recent events, which has curtailed this season's cricket, club representatives were keen to look forward in a constructive and optimistic manner.

Clubs unanimously agreed that the Premier League should be reduced to eight teams at the earliest opportunity, playing each other three times on Saturdays and Bank Holidays only. The games can be fixtured alongside the existing Cornwall League twenty-two match season with each team having just one bye within the first month of the season. All twenty-one games would be of the '110' over time format. The aim is to achieve an eight team division by the 2007 season at the latest. However it was agreed that the present league rules must be adhered to for this season regarding promotion from County 1, with the top team eligible, subject to the necessary criteria being met.

As two teams have withdrawn the eighth placed team in the Premier League will not be relegated, unless it is their wish, at the end of this season. Should nine teams compete in 2006, at the end of the season there would be two down and 1 up to provide eight teams for 2007. The proposals are all subject to formal approval in due course, after deliberation by the individual club's committees.

The feeling of the clubs endorsed the views of the ECB who in a recent letter to the League have stated "The ECB has never insisted that there must be 10 clubs in the Premier League. We were not prepared to allow more than 10 because of concerns about the impact on the overall standard of cricket, and the recent problems clearly suggest that this view was justified. There is no reason why the Premier League should not operate with a smaller number of clubs, with these clubs playing each other more frequently. The ECB would not expect the League to continue with 2 up 2 down promotion and relegation, if you did not wish to do so, and would look favourably on a system involving a play-off rather than automatic promotion and relegation, at least for a period of time, to allow a stable Premier League to develop. It is obviously important that the League structure reflects the wishes of the clubs and the players, but it is also important that the standard of cricket is as high as possible and it is difficult to see that this objective can be achieved by returning to a League of 10 clubs".

The forum also discussed a number of other points with an aim to help draw the Management Committee's awareness to potential Club difficulties in the future and prevent a repeat of recent occurrences. They included possibly introducing a more detailed player registration form, identifying regular players as opposed to occasional and new players. This would give a more realistic view of a clubs actual playing strength.

The transfer of players during the season in future may only be permitted on approval of the League, and then in exceptional circumstances. Significant fines might be imposed on clubs withdrawing after the League AGM or during the season and a points penalty imposed on a club's second XI where the LMC has no option, due to Health and Safety issues, but to accept a club 1st XI withdrawal.

It was also generally agreed that the League Rules should be tightened regarding the criteria for all present and prospective Premier League clubs, and this should come into effect for the 2007 season. These include the playing "squares" and outfields, covers, sightscreens and scoreboxes plus off field facilities to fully meet ECB criteria for Premier club status. No more than two or three divisions to separate those club's 1st and 2nd XI teams. Clubs must be ECB "ClubMark" accredited and provide junior coaching and run under 11, 13 and 15 teams in the Cornwall Youth League. Also to liase with local schools and the CDO to promote cricket participation.

Issues relating to overseas players and professional players were also discussed with proposals to go forward for consideration at the League AGM to limiting overseas players to one per team (not club) and the adoption of an 'Open' policy regarding the Payment of Players. Meetings shall be arranged at the end of the season, as last year, with all affiliated league clubs in the group divisions, where issues will be discussed.

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