As the season comes to a close we are finalising plans for the divisional structure for 2020. As per our earlier communication to you, the league will go linear - we just need to work on the appropriate placement of 5 new clubs joining us for 2020. We are using our tried and trusted method that we have used from day 1 - based upon performance over the last 10 years and facility criteria.
The 5 new clubs are: Bradshaw, Milnrow, Daisy Hill, Hadfield St. Andrews and Mottram - and we hope you will join us in extending the warmest GMCL welcome to them.
As always our priority is to ensure as few current clubs as possible are impacted whilst ensuring everyone has competitive cricket and the plans look to be coming together. We can assure you that the board is working tirelessly on several options to achieve a structure in the best interests of all.
Whilst we won't know the final numbers across the league for 2nd XIs, with the final date for changes being October 31st, which gives current clubs the chance to take stock of their likely player numbers, one of the big benefits is we look to be nearing the point where for the first time our bottom divisions will have a full complement of teams and we may be able to get a full season fixtures out to these teams with all the other divisions.
Over the 11 divisions it may mean a few less ups and a few more downs than we would get from having the same teams as this season but we will end with a linear system for our top 5 divisions where the cricket will be even more competitive for the 48 teams that have been in Divisions 1A/1B and 2A/2B this year.
Final placement in divisions is all important as to placement in the linear structure for 2020 - so everything to play for!
All looks bright with big improvements at both ends of the structure, we hope to have a final schedule with you in the next couple of weeks.