Morecambe captain: Lancashire League application is in best interests of the club

Morecambe Cricket Club’s bid to move to the Lancashire League in 2017 has been done in the best interests of the club according to captain Josh Dixon.
Morecambe captain Josh Dixon.Morecambe captain Josh Dixon.
Morecambe captain Josh Dixon.

The opening batsman’s reigning Northern League champions are joined by nine other teams from the 13-team competition in applying for the move from the year after next.

Despite a grave threat to its future the Northern League is set to continue in 2016 but clubs are getting itchy feet as it would lose its ‘premier’ status in 2017 unless promotion and relegation is introduced.

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Lancaster could also make the move with clubs from the Ribblesdale League and Garstang from the Palace Shield also considering their options as the England and Wales Cricket Board looks to establish a new pyramid structure.

Dixon, whose side were founder members of the Northern League in 1952, said: “It’s a shame the way things have gone.

“But given the stance of the LCB (Lancashire Cricket Board) and how things are developing we’ve got to do what’s in the best interests of the club.

“As the Northern League champions we’ve got to put ourselves in a position to play the highest possible standard of cricket available come 2017.”

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Elsewhere at the club Dixon has been confirmed as first team captain for 2016 having had a memorable first year at the helm as Morecambe won their first championship since 2006.

Irfan Qayyum will lead the second team.

Having secured the services of Sri Lankan professional Suraj Randiv for next season his fellow bowling star Eddy Read is also set to be back at Woodhill Lane in 2016 having taken 74 wickets after making the move from Settle.

The seamer will also turn out for Minor Counties side Cumberland after a breakthrough first year in the Northern League.