THE Lancashire League’s proposed expansion for the 2017 season has been put on hold.

The league is hoping to add 10 more teams to the division and create a two-tier system with promotion and relegation, but at a meeting last night the proposals were not given the full support of the Lancashire Cricket Board or the English Cricket Board.

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The plans could see a number of teams leave the Northern League and the Ribblesdale League potentially placing both competitions in jeopardy.

And the LCB, while recognising why the Lancashire League wanted to expand, refused to back the move until further consultation with all club officials and players in the three leagues plus the Palace Shield, has taken place.

In a statement released on social media, LCB director Bobby Denning said: “We have met with the Lancashire League, Ribblesdale League, Palace Shield and the Northern League along with the ECB.

“Whilst the LCB and ECB pro-actively supports change in leagues, we only do so based on thorough consultation.

“At this moment in time, the LCB and ECB do not support the Lancashire League plans to expand until more detailed consultation has happened..

“We recognise why the Lancashire League wish to expand but until more consultation (led by LCB and ECB) has taken place, this is our position.

“All four leagues have been advised of this and we will now work on moving this consultation forward.

“The LCB will not comment on this further and will only do so direct with league officials.”

A total of 18 clubs applied to join the Lancashire League for 2017 including 10 from the Northern League, seven from the Ribblesdale League and Palace Shield side Garstang.

Lancashire League chairman Mike Bibby said in a statement: “Objections have been expressed by both the Northern and Ribblesdale Leagues who may be both seriously affected by the expansion.

“The ECB and LCB viewpoint was that they were not totally opposed to the plans but were naturally concerned as to how other leagues would be affected.

“Their concerns are built around whether or not this was the right move for cricket in Lancashire and also, whether this move was what the players of all leagues actually wanted.

“Their ruling was that the expansion plans should be put on hold until they have consulted with all club officials and players involved in all the four leagues.

“Once consultations had been completed, which would be held as soon as possible, they will be in a better position to make a judgement and propose suggestions as to the way forward."

More in Wednesday’s Lancashire Telegraph