EDGWORTH Cricket Club today released a statement giving their reasons for joining the Greater Manchester League instead of the Bolton League.

Here is the statement in full:

“Over the past five months, Edgworth Cricket Club has been considering the various cricketing options available to it at all levels of the club. Having decided in May to make the difficult decision to leave the Bolton and District Cricket Association, we were left with a choice between forming part of a new Bolton League, or becoming founder members of the Greater Manchester Cricket League.

"We considered many different aspects when making our decision. What was the likely standard of cricket for our 1st XI, 2nd XI and junior teams (all equally important)? What would the geography of the leagues look like for the 2nd XI and junior teams? While we expect that there will be teething problems in either league, which league gives our best young players, who are increasing in number and standard year on year, the best chance of developing as players, and of developing as players at Edgworth? And, perhaps most importantly, what was the preference of the players – where do they want to be playing their cricket?

"Either option would entail a step into the unknown, but we were impressed with the prospectus, and the general aims of the GMCL. It encapsulates much of what many players have been advocating for years. We were also impressed by the quality of the people involved in the GMCL’s inception, which gives us confidence that it will be a well run league. At Edgworth we are keen to continue to improve our facilities, with several projects in the pipeline, and we feel that the GMCL may help drive the club towards achieving those aims. And a very clear majority of players wanted to go into the GMCL.

"While many people’s hearts liked the idea of playing a part in what we all hope will be a strong Bolton League in 2016, and while there are many attractions, and some very good clubs, in the Bolton League’s plans, the Cricket Committee last night decided, unanimously, to back the will of the players, and join the GMCL in 2016. It will be a very sad day for us when we leave the Bolton Association at the end of this year - our best wishes go to all the people who have served the league so well for so long, and to the friends we have made along the way – but we are excited about this upcoming new chapter in the club’s existence.”