BOLTON Cricket League acting chairman John Hutchinson today clarified the position over its structure for next season.

The League came in for criticism on social media yesterday following suggestions the new expanded League could begin life with two divisions.

There had previously been talk of all 22 teams playing each other in the first season before splitting into two divisions in 2017.

No vote or decision has ever taken place on how the league will be structured in the first season.

The criticism of the Bolton League came almost entirely from people outside the League.

Hutchinson made a personal statement to The Bolton News today to explain the situation.

He said: "The expanded version of the BCL will provide fair challenging and enjoyable cricketing opportunities for all our 22 member clubs, from Bradshaw and Eagley in the north of the town to Walkden and Flixton in the south, Golborne and Standish in the west and more centrally-based clubs such as Tonge and Darcy Lever.

"Everyone will be treated with the same amount of care and respect and we will not engage in any public criticism of clubs or officials from other cricket leagues.

"As regards the format of the BCL for the 2016 season, this will be decided by our member clubs in an open and democratic manner.

"The officials of the BCL are determined to act quickly to ensure that decisions regarding this structure are taken by clubs now thereby avoiding any unnecessary period of uncertainty.

"We believe in decisive action rather than endless prevarication and debate."