AS the proposals to form a Greater Manchester Cricket League of clubs gathers momentum are the voices of the most important people in this process being heard?

What do the players think? What are their views? Has anyone asked the silent majority – those who spend their weekends and hard-earned money playing this game we love?

The ECB playing survey recently revealed that participation at grassroots level had dropped. Dropped considerably too.

The reasons given were that players had grown tired of the current system, promotion and relegation was required, standards were falling, too many games were being played, and non-competitive drubbings a regular occurrence.

In other words, players want something done, and by the sound of it, done fast. The players have spoken and the administrators promised to listen.

As players, we want the best. And why not? If you dedicate eight hours of your Saturday or Sunday to playing this great game, why not demand high standards?

A competitive match, a decent wicket, good facilities and quality umpires are all the minimum that players in Greater Manchester should demand and expect.

Unfortunately the current system regularly fails to provide this. It has too many meaningless games between teams who can neither move up or down the leagues while an elite few teams compete for the silverware every year.

Is that really what we want?

Is that inspiring youngsters to fall in love with this great game?

How about a structure which rewards progressive, hard working clubs, which provides meaningful competitive cricket between evenly-matched teams?

A structure where those aspiring to better themselves can play Premier League cricket at a club within Greater Manchester, as opposed to a long drive over to Liverpool or Cheshire.

I regularly hear the opinions of former players that local cricket is not as good or as competitive as in their day. So, if that is the case, should we not look at options to improve?

If we resist change are we saying that 100 years ago, when some of these leagues were created, we got everything spot on? Are we saying there is no need to even explore the idea of evolution? Surely even the most dyed-in-the-wool traditionalist would find that one hard to argue.

Evolution in sport is nothing new. We fondly remember the old football First Division, with its great history and tradition. It gave way to the Premier League which is now seen widely as the best and most entertaining league in the world.

The Champions League, two-tier county cricket, inception of twenty20 etc. The point is, if you fail to evolve, eventually you fail to exist.

Another point for consideration, since last season several young cricketers have left the Greater Manchester leagues for pastures new. Guided by the powers that be at Old Trafford they seek ECB Premier League Cricket, something which this great city cannot provide. A damning indictment of the current set-up if ever there was one.

It appears some league officials involved have made up our minds for us, negativity and scaremongering are the tools being used.

There was an initial reluctance to engage with the process, and now hearsay on potential pitfalls and problems. Why not let us have the facts and we can make up our own minds. Players will judge free from the worry of losing their little empire.

Once the proposals and prospectus have been put together it will be time to judge. Yes there may be difficulties and it may not all be plain sailing.

Sometimes you have to stand up and be counted. To make real and effective change to a broken cricket system we may have to take some tough decisions. Short term pain for long term gain maybe.

These opportunities do not come along very often, as players the power is in our hands to influence our game and evolve for a successful future. Let’s engage with this process, understand the prospectus and the proposals then make our voices heard.

The future of our great game in Greater Manchester may just depend on it.

Andy O'Brien

Manchester

Denton West Cricket Club