The landscape of Shropshire cricket could be heading for a radical overhaul from 2010.

Marston’s Shropshire Premier League officials have formulated a proposal which, if accepted, will see the number of clubs double to 24 in two divisions from next year.

All clubs from within Shropshire or on the county’s border – playing in the Birmingham League, FBC Manby Bowdler Leagues or any other leagues – would be able to apply to join a larger top flight of Shropshire cricket.

The issue will be discussed at an extraordinary general meeting at Madeley Cricket Club on Tuesday April 14.

The League has already been forced to increase from 12 teams to 14 for this season, and chairman Mike Robinson insists the proposals have been put forward to prevent the size of the division increasing still further in future years.

“There is a real Doomsday scenario if all three Shropshire teams in Birmingham League division three were relegated next season, that would leave us with as many as 18 teams in 2010,” said Robinson.

“Clubs have voted to allow 14 teams in the League this season but some aren’t too happy about it and we are trying to foresee the problem rather than react to it when it happens.

“I think it’s a really exciting proposal but it’s not set in stone at all and it can certainly be tinkered with at the emergency meeting.

“It’s not a case of taking teams off the FBC Manby Bowdler League. We are looking for teams from all over Shropshire who are playing in different league.”

Under the suggestion, clubs relegated from the Birmingham League – or applying to re-join the Shropshire Premier League from that level – would play in division one in 2010.

The remainder of the top division would then be made up of the leading clubs in the 2009 Marston’s League required to reach 12.

Division two would consist of the remaining clubs in the Marston’s League, as well as other clubs accepted from any other level.

Any clubs applying to join the Marston’s League from the Birmingham League after 2010, would have to start in division two. One club would be relegated and one promoted each year.

By JAMES GARRISON