THE Bolton News radio debate on the future summer sports clash has sparked agreement between the town's sports to talk.

The newspaper brought together top officials from major sports on 96.5 Bolton FM in the town to discuss plans by the Bolton, Bury and District Football League to switch its season from the traditional winter to summer.

Other sports had previously expressed concern at the proposals which are due to come into force next year, fearing they will reduce the number of people playing their sports.

The BBDFL plan to move the season for their under-7s to under-14s to March to October with a six-week break in the school summer holidays.

The Bolton News: IT'S GOOD TO TALK: The panel at The Bolton News radio debate

Many involved in local cricket believe most juniors who currently play both sports will choose to play football which will have a detrimental effect on their junior league initially and senior cricket in the long term.

On the panel were Neil Bonnar, head of sport at The Bolton News; Warren Barlow, chairman of Bolton, Bury and District Football League, Gary Russell, general secretary of BBDFL, John Hutchinson, chairman of Bolton Cricket League, Andy Taylor, secretary of Bolton Tennis League, Dave Tattersall, cricket manager of Egerton Cricket Club, Kevin Davies, former Bolton Wanderers player working to develop the BBDFL and beneficiary to various sports in the town via his charity; and Bill Carr, under-14s cricket and football player for Astley Bridge CC and Eagley FC. It was presented by Matt Holden of Bolton FM.

The debate was deemed a success by those on the panel and many listening in who posted positive feedback on social media.

All on the panel accepted that summer football would be introduced and that they had to work together to achieve the best outcome for all other sports.

One key point for the Bolton Cricket League was that their sport could have a block of six or seven weeks when they can play without football taking place.

And Hutchinson said his league wanted to work closely with their football counterparts for the betterment of both sports.

He said: "I'd like cricket to have a partnership with football. I don't want half a partnership because half a partnership is no partnership, I'd like a full partnership.

"We fully support football changing the season to enhance the skills of youngsters. But I wouldn't like football to be played in the height of the summer. I would like to see six or seven weeks where cricket has the floor to itself, and football takes a break.

"We have to have an understanding that there is no football at such and such a time."

Russell responded: "And we agree with that statement."

Summing up the agreement that all sports should work closely for the good of them all, Mr Davies said: "It's important to come together and work together on this."