MONDAY 8 June 2015 could be a particularly significant day in the history of the Bolton Cricket league and possibly Bolton cricket in general.

The Bolton League was formed in 1930 when 12 clubs left the Bolton Association to form an alternative league.

Horwich replaced Radcliffe in 1937 and there were no further changes until 1984 when Farnworth Social Circle and Greenmount joined.

Earlier this season Greenmount announced they would be leaving to join the formative Greater Manchester Cricket League.

In December last year, proposals were drawn up to expand the Bolton League to two divisions of 12 clubs, with promotion and relegation and June 8 is when the key vote on the proposals will be taken.

Assuming the vote is successful other important decisions will have to be made within a relatively short space of time, as League Cricket Conference and Lancashire Cricket Board rules require clubs leaving a league to give notice by June 30.

From a personal point of view I would like to see the remaining Bolton Association clubs who are not joining the Greater Manchester League become part of the Bolton League, along with clubs from other leagues who have expressed an interest.

In 2016 this could give the Bolton League around 24 clubs, and by playing each other once two divisions would be in place by 2017.

In the original proposal, it was the aim of the Bolton League Management Committee to try to attract clubs from outside the immediate area.

While the Bolton League has been arguably the most successful league since 2000, including the Liverpool and Northern Premier Leagues, many of our grounds and facilities do not match those of clubs to the North and West of the town.

However, since the proposal was drafted the Lancashire League has also announced they may be expanding.

The cricket in the Bolton League is probably as good or even better than the Lancashire League, with four victories in the last five meetings between our clubs, but in terms of grounds and facilities we have to accept we are some way behind the most famous cricket league in the world, so for many clubs the Lancashire League would be the favoured option.

The indications are the Lancashire League are looking to recruit 10 clubs in addition to the 14 they already have, so even if their clubs do vote for two divisions that still leaves a lot of good quality clubs to the North of Bolton who could be interested in joining us.

With this in mind I would like to see the Bolton League formally advertise for clubs before and during the 2016 season with a view to forming three sections, two where professionals or quality overseas players are compulsory and one where they are optional.

In the early seasons this will require a great deal of flexibility. Although most people would like to see divisions of 12, should we have 28 clubs for the 2017 season, there is no reason why we cannot continue with 14 clubs in each.

The ideal would be 36 clubs with three divisions of 12, but if we have between 30 and 35 clubs it may, in the short term be worth working with leagues of between 10 and 12 clubs.

In place of a straight knock-out the T20 competition could be expanded so clubs are still playing a similar number of matches, or possibly more if the games are played on Sunday afternoons, but I can expand on the options in a future column.

Aside from first team cricket there will be several other advantages to the Bolton Association clubs joining the Bolton League.

Historical trophies can be utilised for the different divisions and the administrative experience of the Association Officials retained.

A fear that there would not be enough umpires for second team cricket will be alleviated and after the first full season consideration can be given to putting second team as well as junior cricket on a broadly regional basis should clubs wish to take up this option.