THE Bolton Cricket League is actively seeking new clubs.

The league, which has 20 clubs in two divisions from this season, is looking for four new clubs for the 2018 season.

They have placed an advertisement in the Manchester Evening News inviting applications from any clubs in the Manchester area that may be interested.

The Bolton League’s expansion to 20 clubs following the recruitment of eight clubs from the Bolton Association last year has been a success.

The former Association clubs settled instantly and a competitive structure sees two strong divisions, two 50-over cup competitions and a T20 competition which was a major success last season and highly lucrative for some clubs.

Now the BCL is looking to further grow its numbers.

Twenty four is regarded as the ideal number of clubs in order to provide an increased number of league matches to fill every Saturday throughout the season.

The Bolton League has traditionally been a strong, local league with the emphasis on competitive cricket with convenient travel.

Fifteen of the current 20 clubs are in the borough of Bolton with four more – Walkden, Little Hulton, Atherton and Adlington – on the doorstep.

The Bolton League is keen to maintain its local strength and believes it can do so while recruiting clubs from geographically convenient areas of Manchester as well as any local clubs in other areas that might be interested.

BCL secretary Ray Taylor said: “Ideally we are seeking four new clubs for 2018 but would accept fewer in anticipation of clubs possibly becoming unsettled in leagues to the north of the Bolton League.

“Alternatively we would not turn away good quality clubs if more than four were to apply, however we are not looking to have more than two leagues.

“Our T20 competition last season was a real earner for some clubs, and the League’s junior teams will be playing more matches in 2017.

"Since 2000 we have provided more Lancashire KO finalists that any other league, which is a reflection of the standard of cricket in the area."

The BCL is one of the strongest leagues in the county for umpires with 70 on the panel.

The BCL’s advert informs any interested clubs that it requires clubs to employ a professional in the Premier Division and both divisions allow overseas amateurs.

They are committed to the LCB Knockout, ECB T20 and National Knockout competitions, runs a successful and lucrative T20 competition played in regional groups.

All BCL clubs have two senior and a minimum of three junior teams with the junior competition running from under-9s through to under-18s and the second team competition has promotion and relegation.

The league is run by the clubs supported by a number of officials elected annually.

Deadline for applications is May 31, although the League will accept good quality applicants before this date, with a guarantee those clubs will start in the Premier division in 2018.

For further details contact Ray Taylor on 07850 447492 or raysue11@aol.com in strict confidence.