THE Bolton Cricket League expansion plans gained pace tonight when Eagley and Flixton both decided to join.

They were the last two clubs from the Bolton League and Bolton Association to decide between committing to the expanding Bolton League and the newly-formed Greater Manchester League.

It brings the number of clubs in the Bolton League next season to 22.

Eagley decided at an open meeting at the club tonight and maintain their membership of the League of which they were a founder member in 1930.

Flixton joined the Bolton Association in 2008 and were loyal to that league when clubs were required to pick which league they wanted to join this year.

They only resigned from the Association late on the last day possible and made it clear it was with great regret.

Despite being located in the Manchester area they are happy to play their cricket in the Bolton area but it is understood they needed assurances about certain things before they could say yes to the Bolton League.

It is believed they got those assurances tonight and have pledged their future to the Bolton League.

Eagley were the last Bolton League club to decide on their future. They were known to be concerned about the cost of funding paid players, although there were other factors they took into account in making their decision.

The Bolton League is now expected to go into next season with a minimum of 22 clubs.

They hope Radcliffe – also one of the Bolton League's founder members – will decide to join them when they meet on Monday night, although they have attractive alternatives in the GMCL and the Pennine League which is a new alliance of the Saddleworth League and the Central Lancashire League of which they have been members for a long time.

An unnamed club from outside the area who were interested in joining the Bolton League has decided to remain in their current league.