THE Fosters Lancashire League’s planned expansion for the 2017 season remains on track, despite objections from two of cricket’s power brokers.

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 earlier this week, held at Darwen Cricket Club, the proposals were not given the full support of the Lancashire Cricket Board.

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The plans could see a number of teams leave the Northern League and the Ribblesdale League potentially threatening their existence.

However, the Lancashire Telegraph understands any decision is unlikely to come before the New Year now with the Lancashire Cricket Board refusing to sanction the move until further consultation with all club officials and players in the three leagues plus the Palace Shield, has taken place.

That is going to take some time, and, particularly, for what is at stake for the two leagues and with many clubs split over their future direction.

The threat to the future of the Northern League, for example, has been starkly underlined with ten of the 13 member clubs having applied to join the Lancashire League.

Blackpool, Fleetwood, St Annes, Leyland, Chorley, champions Morecambe, Lancaster, Netherfield, Darwen and Preston have all applied to join.

That leaves only three clubs from the Northern League who have not applied – Penrith, Barrow and Kendal, all based in Cumbria.

The Ribblesdale League is set to be affected too.

Seven clubs from that competition have applied to join the Lancashire League – Clitheroe, Great Harwood, Baxenden, Whalley, Barnoldswick, Settle and Salesbury.

Ribblesdale League chairman Brian Woodhead said: “I’m delighted that the right decision has been made, allowing the clubs to talk to their players and officials further.”

A statement from Lancashire League chairman Mike Bibby confirmed that objections had been expressed by both leagues.

In the statement he added: “The ECB and LCB viewpoint was that they were not totally opposed to the plans but were naturally concerned as to how the two leagues would be affected.

“I’ve told the LCB that I would not add anything more, but we are still confident that we can come to an agreement.

“It is, potentially, the biggest decision in history of the Lancashire League, but we would still see it as a very positive step for improving the standard of local cricket.”

Lancashire Cricket Board Director Bobby Denning said: “At this moment in time, the LCB and ECB do not support the Lancashire League plans to expand until more detailed consultation has taken place.”

Lancashire League bowling legend Keith Roscoe said: “All the players are resigned to the fact that something is going to happen and I hope it does because it will add extra spice to the league, going to play at places like Chorley, St Anne’s and Darwen.”

The Haslingden spin king added: “I’m a traditionalist, but I’m sure that change is afoot.”