THE big Bolton News debate on junior football's plans to switch to a summer season is live from 8pm to 10pm tonight.

The Bolton, Bury and District Football League are proposing changing from the tradition winter season to solve the problem of games being called off due to bad weather and to provide better playing conditions for young players.

It has caused concerns in other sports, particularly cricket, who believe summer football would hit participation in their sports.

Bolton's junior football league to switch its season from winter to summer from 2017

The debate has been instigated by The Bolton News as we believe the issue needs open discussion between all parties involved to try to get the best outcome for all sports.

THE PANEL

Neil Bonnar – head of sport at The Bolton News. Neil has organised the radio debate, gathered together the panel and written stories and comment about the summer football proposal.

Warren Barlow – chairman of the Bolton, Bury and District Football League.

Gary Russell – secretary of the Bolton, Bury and District Football League.

John Hutchinson – chairman of the Bolton Cricket League.

Dave Tattersall – manager of Egerton Cricket Club, the current Bolton League champions, former cricket player and professional in Bolton league cricket.

Bill Carr – 14-year-old who plays for Eagley FC in the Bolton, Bury and District Football League and for Astley Bridge CC in the Bolton Cricket League.

Andy Taylor – secretary of the Bolton Tennis League, committee member on the Bolton Sports Federation and committee member on the Lancashire Tennis Council.

Kevin Davies – Former Bolton Wanderers footballer involved in developing football and other sports in Bolton.

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Pictured above - From left to right, Dave Tattersall, cricket manager of Egerton Cricket Club; Bill Carr, Under-14s player for Astley Bridge CC and Eagley FC; John Hutchinson, chairman of Bolton Cricket League; Matt Holden, presenter; Neil Bonnar, Head of sport at The Bolton News; Andy Taylor, secretary of Bolton Tennis League; Warren Barlow, chairman of Bolton, Bury and District Football League; Kevin Davies, Bolton Wanderers legend and involved in local sports, and Gary Russell, general secretary of Bolton, Bury and District Football League