ELEVEN clubs have resigned from the Bolton and District Cricket Association.

The deadline for clubs to inform the Association – the second oldest cricket league in the world – was Sunday night.

Atherton, Flixton and one other club resigned on Sunday with two other clubs resigning on Saturday. Bury and Walshaw resigned on Friday.

The clubs to have given notice they are leaving the Association are Astley and Tyldesley, Bury, Walshaw, Winton, Swinton Moorside – who are all joining the Greater Manchester Cricket League – Edgworth, Flixton, Atherton – who are keeping their options open – and three other clubs who are also keeping their options open.

The three unnamed clubs, along with the seven clubs who have stayed loyal to the Bolton Association – will attend a meeting with Association officials on Friday to discuss their future direction.

The resignations mean it will be extremely difficult for the Association to continue as an independent league and increases the likelihood of a two-division Bolton league.

It is understood the six clubs who have resigned and not applied to join the GMCL are keen on remaining in a Bolton cricket league structure.

Speaking about the developments of the last few days, Bolton Association secretary Peter Crook said: "I have been very disappointed with the attitude of certain clubs who have given us the understanding they were going to do one thing and have done something else.

"Also the rumours that have come out of clubs have caused some other clubs to resign at the last minute, they have caused panic resignations."

And on one specific rumour he added: "Despite rumours to the contrary Standish are not, and it has never been their intention, to seek to go into the Southport and District League."

The future of league cricket in Bolton could now hinge on next Monday's vote among the Bolton League clubs on whether to expand and go to two divisions.

There is a strong desire among many Bolton clubs and players to continue to have a cricket league in Bolton.

There is also a wide held desire among the players to play in a structure which has at least two divisions to incorporate what is seen as a vital competitive element of promotion and relegation.

Egerton have called an extraordinary general meeting a week on Thursday to allow club members to decide which league Egerton will be a member of in the future.

The club said: "This is an important decision and all members are requested to attend."

The meeting will take place in the clubhouse and starts at 8pm.