ELTON Cricket Club are joining the Central Lancashire League next season.

The Leigh Lane side are leaving the Bolton Association in which they have played since 1994.

They hope the move will enable them to further the development of their juniors and make it easier to keep hold of them when they become senior players.

Elton tended their resignation at a meeting of the Association hierarchy last Friday night when it was accepted.

Chairman Geoff Hall said: “Our main reason for moving is for the development of our junior cricketers.

“We have been in the Bolton Association for 21 seasons and we have developed kids from under-9s through to under-18s.

“The organisation of the juniors at the Bolton Association has been very good.

“What we have had a problem doing is hanging on to them in their later years and we are hoping that by moving to the Central Lancashire League those juniors will stick with us.”

Elton have had a successful spell in the Association, winning the league twice and the Cross Cup five times.

“We have developed the club and ground in that time and now we are moving on to new pastures,” said Hall.

“We have met some great people and appreciated their friendship over the years.”

Association chairman Frank Jackson said: “Elton have wanted to go a couple of times in the past so I think it is third time lucky for them.

“Everything was done how it should be done by them and by the Central Lancashire League.

“They thanked the league for everything we have done for them and we wished them well for the future.”

Bury were among five other clubs in the Association who expressed an interest in joining other leagues but have since withdrawn those expressions of interest.