MEMBERS of the Bolton League have voted through a landmark ruling that effectively sees individual clubs relinquish direct control of the day-to-day running of the league.

Almost 100 per cent of members voted in favour of the move to reduce the league’s management committee from 14 – made up of a member from each team – to eight – made up of voted for officials and club representatives.

All votes cast at the league’s annual meeting earlier this week were in favour of the move, with just two abstensions.

The new management committee for 2014 will include Mike Buckley, Derek Kay and league secretary Ray Taylor (all from Bradshaw), league chairman Mike Hall (Egerton), Warwick Milne (Heaton), Chris Monks (Kearsley), John Hutchinson (Farnworth Social Circle and umpire) and Karen Knott (umpire).

“The key reason for this move is that the people on the management committe are there to run and manage the league, not to represent their own clubs – that’s the difference,” said Hall.

“They are there to reach conclusions and decisions for the benefit of the league.

“The fact that any of the people on the committee are involved with a particular club shouldn’t matter because they are no longer there to vote on behalf of their clubs.”

A recent move by the Bolton Association to extend membership of its league and introduce two divisions is partly behind the move, as the new management committee will be charged with looking into possible innovations to improve the league in the future.

However, while the day to day running of the league will be the responsibility of the new committee and its sub-committees, which will continue to involve members from each of the 14 clubs, occasional meetings of the full committee will still be held before each season and to discuss and vote on rule changes.

Hall added: “It gives us a platform on which to move forward and we will see how it goes.

“It is up to us to make it work and we can review it in 12 months time.”