Derbyshire County League 2002 preview

Two major changes were made in the rules of the League during the close season.. One of these is of great significance to the Derbyshire Premier League because it involves the setting up of a Pyramid structure for the Derbyshire area. This is in line with the recommendation of the ECB and offers a channel of promotion from the main Leagues in and around the County to the Premier League.

The Leagues affected are the Derbyshire & Cheshire League, the Yorkshire & Derbyshire League, the Burton & District League and the Derbyshire County League. The feeder League to the Premier League will still be Division 1 of the County League.

The other change will involve the splitting of the County League into two sections, North and South, below Division 2. This is designed to simplify administration and minimise travel, especially in the lower Divisions where there are many young players. These changes were passed by the narrowest possible majority of one vote (79 for and 78 against), but the matter is now settled and the changes will be determined at the end of the 2002 season.

One new club joins the League, Parwich, who have a very pretty ground in the middle of the Peak National Park. The number of teams continue to increase because of the expansion of existing clubs and the League now comprises 13 Divisions with all except the the bottom three having 12 teams in each. There has been a surge in youth cricket and a realisation in many clubs that their future will depend on fostering their own talent.

Whilst there is expansion in some areas there are still clubs who are finding it difficult to maintain their complement of teams. It is sad to see Chaddesden reduced to one team as is Heanor Town. Both of these are old established clubs and their decline should serve as a warning to other clubs.

As a League we find that the average age of players is going up, and it is incumbent on all clubs to encourage young players by offering them facilities for playing in the youth Leagues and giving them coaching.

Heanor Town have withdrawn their Premier League side and their one team will be playing in Division 3C, the fifth Division in the League structure. It will be a strong side because it will probably include experienced senior players like Colin Taylor, Paul Marshall, Graham Bush and Dean Shaw. Their team manager, Peter Thompson, hopes to come out of retirement to play and he says that they are fed up with chasing for top order players and they are going to go out and simply enjoy themselves. Well, that of course is the wish of us all.

This season will see many improvements in grounds and facilities. This is an encouraging sign and is a tribute to the hard work of the League's Grounds Committee whose members have been active in advising clubs. Promotion within the League depends partly on achieving the criteria that are set by the League. So, no improvements to the ground means that a club is unlikely to achieve promotion.

The League is in a strong position financially and has recently negotiated extended agreements with its main sponsors, the Derbyshire Building Society, Abbey Glass and the Derby Evening Telegraph. Further sponsorship comes from the Ripley & Heanor News, Savages, Mitchell Sports, Pope Machinery, Brookside Press, MG Financial Services, James Harwood and Harry Lund. Thanks to all our sponsors.

Division 1 of the County League is the feeder League for the Premier League with only one team being promoted. This is a bone of contention in the County League and pressure is being put on the Premier League to accept the principle of two up and two down, so far without success. Last season one team, Sawley, semed to break away from the pack and it became a one horse race, but this year things look more even and and we can expect a thrilling race for the title.

GWYN JONES - press officer

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