BOLTON Association clubs will not commit themselves to the proposed new Greater Manchester Cricket League until they receive assurances on several key points.

Club representatives discussed the revolutionary new plans in an at times heated monthly league meeting last Friday night.

With views split over the idea which would see the Association and other traditional leagues in the area – including the Bolton League – scrapped, emotions ran high at the meeting.

But the consensus opinion was to postpone making any decisions until full details of the proposed new league are known.

The new idea would see 10 leagues from the Greater Manchester area – including four from Bolton – combine into one super-sized pyramid-system league with promotion and relegation throughout around a dozen divisions.

Opinions are varied over such a league with some viewing it as a positive way forward for local cricket – particularly with the introduction of promotion and relegation within one large structured league – and others concerned about killing off traditional tried and tested leagues in favour of something they are not convinced will work any better.

Bolton Association clubs were among almost 50 who attended a meeting at Old Trafford cricket ground two weeks ago to hear about the plan for the first time.

Friday’s Association meeting heard that clubs were keen to show an interest in the proposals while keeping their options open.

They want answers to a host of questions before deciding on a stance, such as which clubs will be in which tiers of the proposed new pyramid, how many overs will be played, match start times, the situation regarding professionals and overseas players, criteria for ambitious clubs to rise up the pyramid, and number of teams to be promoted and relegated.

Some people are also concerned about the amount of travel that would be involved, particularly for junior sides.

A new steering committee has been set up to try to drive forward the plan which will include representation from the Bolton League and Association and will have its first meeting on December 12.

The Lancashire Cricket Board is helping to push the proposals forward and it is understood the new league could be in place as early as the season after next.

The Bolton Association have made it clear if the majority of their clubs decide against joining the new league they will continue to provide competitive cricket for them as they have for around 130 years.

The proposals are expected to be discussed further at the Association’s annual general meeting on Friday, December 5, at Adlington Cricket Club.