Plans to merge the two biggest cricket leagues in Shropshire and Mid Wales have been shelved – scuppered by the leading clubs.

Discussions had taken place over unifying the Marston’s Shropshire Premier League and FBC Manby Bowdler League to bring more than 100 teams together under one banner.

But those talks have now ended without a resolution, meaning the status quo will be maintained to end hopes of clarifying – once and for all – the promotion/relegation issue.

“It won’t be happening at this time,” confirmed Peter Mitchell, secretary of the Shropshire Cricket Board who chaired the latest talks between representatives of the two leagues.

“The Premier League constitution requires a certain majority of clubs to agree to such a move – and that just wasn’t the case.

“My opinion is that it would have benefited Shropshire cricket by bringing a unified disciplinary system and made the promotion and relegation picture clearer.

Rumbled

“But the Premier League is independent and it is their right so we have to respect the decision of their clubs.”

Talks of changing the structure of Shropshire cricket – whose leading seven clubs all play in the Birmingham League – have rumbled on throughout the year.

The Marston’s Shropshire Premier League had initially targeted plans to increase their membership by forming a second division after being left with a bigger than usual 14 teams last season, forcing an extension to the campaign and Sunday matches.

But that angered officials from the FBC Manby Bowdler League who feared an exodus of clubs.

Officials from the two leagues then staged talks over a possible merger, but those have now ended.

“I just think the Premier League clubs valued their independence and were wary of losing it,” said Marston’s League chairman Mike Robinson.

The Marston’s Shropshire Premier League clubs already have another major vote ahead of them after Albrighton proposed a ban on overseas players from next season.

That is set to be voted on at the league’s annual meeting at the end of next month.