Proposal for the end of season meeting
Management Committee - Monday 19th September 2005

The following is a proposal for discussion at the end of season meeting at Liverpool CC on 4th October 2005, that:

• the ECB Premier League be expanded by 2 clubs to make up a division of 14 teams from season 2007.

• this can be achieved by the promotion of 3 clubs from the First Division and the relegation of 1 club from the Premier Division at the end of the 2006 season.

• in order to maintain 14 clubs in the First Division, there be no relegation in 2006 which will allow for 2 clubs to be promoted from the Merseyside and Southport Cricket Alliance First Division in accordance with existing regulations.

• the L&DCC Premier Division Knockout Cups be discontinued from season 2007.

In considering the above, the following should be taken into account :-

• the L&DCC has had a written agreement with the Feeder Leagues (Merseyside and Southport Cricket Alliance) regarding the changes in structure for the past 3 years which culminates this season in the 2 clubs promotion and relegation.
   

• it is for this reason that the above proposal is now being considered for 2007.
   

• whilst the proposal provides for 2 further clubs from the Alliance to be provided with an improved standard of cricket, their Management Committee is concerned with regard to the loss of clubs in their lower divisions. This is not created solely by the L&DCC proposal but due to certain clubs going out of existence, moving leagues, etc., which accentuates the problem.
   

• the Alliance has indicated that should it be the wish to proceed with the proposals above, they will review their structure with a positive view to play their part in the re-organisation.

Additional Information

The Alliance is moving towards uniformity with the L&DCC Rules and Regulations to enable a standard format of cricket to prevail throughout the top 4 divisions. It is suggested that they now be requested to achieve this by season 2007, certainly within Alliance Division 1 to enable L&DCC relegated Clubs to experience similar playing conditions.

The operation of L&DCC 2nd XI cricket as a 'stand alone' league could not operate in conjunction with the Alliance owing to their 2nd XIs making up the numbers in their feeder leagues of Merseyside Competition and Southport and District Cricket League.