BOLTON Cricket League secretary Ray Taylor has backed the decision to play the Lancashire Knockout final at Middleton.

BCL side Farnworth will play Denton West of the Greater Manchester League at the Pennine League ground on Sunday, September 11, and the decision to stage the game at a club ground has sparked much debate in local cricket.

The showpiece game for the county's amateur clubs has traditionally been held at Old Trafford, only being played away from Lancashire's iconic county ground six times since 1972.

It was played there every year from 1972 to 2006, then had four years at club grounds and returned to Old Trafford for three years before being hosted by club grounds for the last two years.

The decision to play it at Middleton, which is widely regarded as a good club ground, was taken earlier this year but has only become the topic of debate since the two finalists won through on Sunday.

Farnworth missed out on playing at Old Trafford when they won the final against another Denton club, Denton St Lawrence, at St Anne's in 2010 – the year before it returned to Lancashire's ground.

Captain Simon Booth played on that occasion and expressed his disappointment at missing out on playing at Old Trafford again in The Bolton News on Tuesday.

But the Bolton League secretary believes Middleton will be a good stage for the final and has given his support.

"There is cricket at Old Trafford the following week and I support playing the Lancashire Knockout final at what is a top Pennine League ground," said Taylor, "It's a class above many GMCL and Bolton League grounds, and more convenient than St Anne's for both clubs.

"I hope it's at Westhoughton in 2017, but perhaps in future if one of the three county grounds are not available the final can be at one of the finalists. Glossop is another good ground but there would be little point playing Kendal v Barrow there."

Meanwhile, the final of the Bolton League 40-Over Competition will be brought forward 24 hours if Farnworth are in it and their Lancashire Knockout final is delayed a week due to the weather.

This Sunday's semi-finals see Horwich host Bradshaw and Farnworth at home to Heaton with the final scheduled for Sunday, September 18, at Heaton starting at 12.30pm.

If Farnworth win on Sunday and the Lancashire Knockout final is put back a week due to rain, both games would be due to be played on the same day.

In that event the 40-Over final would be brought forward to the previous day.

This Sunday's semi-finals start at 1pm.