Jolly's Drinks Cornwall Cricket League Press Release 8th September 2004

Col. Ronnie Potts T.D, J.P., D.L. has resigned from his position as President of the Cornwall Cricket League. It follows from the contractual dispute between Justin Stephens and St Just Cricket Club this year.

In a letter to League Chairman Bruce Nicholls Col. Potts has stated "It would appear that, despite their assurances to you to the contrary, St. Just CC have no intention of withdrawing their objection to Justin Stephens playing cricket for another club - at least not in the foreseeable future - and, as the League Management Committee have not done so, it would appear that they have no intention of unilaterally lifting the suspension. As I explained to the committee in early July I do not dispute the fact that this contract is a commitment and so contravenes league rule 5 (xi), but I believe that, if tested in an Employment Tribunal, it would be declared illegal. However, even if I am wrong in that assumption I still strongly believe that the consequence which has flowed from invoking that rule, namely Stephens' suspension from cricket for 2 years, is grossly inappropriate and should not have been condoned by the LMC. My view was, and is, that this is a purely contractual dispute which St. Just CC were, and are, at liberty to pursue in any manner they choose. In these circumstances I regret I have to confirm my resignation from the office of President of the CCL".

Col. Potts resignation ends a thirty-seven year association with the League as an official. He joined the Eastern Section Committee in 1968 and took over as Chairman of Committees a year later. He took over as League President following Jack Littlejohns in 1987.

League Chairman Bruce Nicholls, on behalf of the Management Committee, paid tribute to the tremendous service given to the Cornwall Cricket League by Col. Potts and he was saddened that he felt the need to end his long association over one issue.

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