CLUBS decided to expand the Bolton League at tonight's crucial vote on the future of league cricket in the town.

The vote was 12-0 in favour of increasing the size of the Bolton League to form a multi-division structure.

There were two abstentions.

The decision means the Bolton League will now look to increase from 14 clubs to at least 24 clubs from next season.

The proposal for change came about following the formation of a new league which is offering a multi-division structure and is inviting clubs in Greater Manchester to join.

Bolton has a high concentration of the top standard clubs which makes the town a key area in the radical changes currently happening in the area.

Two of the six leagues in Greater Manchester have folded as their clubs go over to the GM League while the Bolton Association looks certain to fold as an independent league after this season following the resignations of seven of its 18 clubs.

Its remaining 11 clubs met on Friday night to decide on their future and agreed they would be happy to join a new expanded Bolton League.

There is also a battle going on in the east of Manchester where the only other two remaining leagues in Greater Manchester – the Central Lancashire League and the Saddleworth League have lost four and three, respectively, clubs to the GM League so far and are in merger talks.