Cricket in the county would be weakened by a ban on overseas players in the Marston’s Shropshire Premier League.

That is the view of Quatt spokesman Adam Evans, ahead of Monday’s vote on the issue at the league’s AGM.

A controversial proposal to ban overseas professionals has been tabled by Albrighton officials, who believe it would create a level playing field instead of allowing teams to rely on one player.

But south Shropshire side Quatt fiercely oppose the motion – despite admitting they have no plans to use a pro next season, whatever the verdict.

“We’ve never paid our overseas players anyway, so that’s not an issue to us,” said Evans.

“I don’t understand the motive behind this myself. If a club wants to go down the line of having a pro it should be up to them.

“We probably wouldn’t have one next season anyway, but I think you have to look at the bigger picture.

“We’d never had an overseas player until we came up into this league and we’ve found it massively developmental for this club.”

Evans also insists the pyramid structure of the county game would be thrown in disarray if the premier league were to unilaterally introduce a ban.

“If every league decided there would be no overseas players then fine,” he said.

“But we’re in a system where the league below (the FBC Manby Bowdler Shropshire League) allows them, and so does the league above (the Birmingham League).

“To survive in the Birmingham League you do need an overseas player and you would weaken Shropshire cricket by not allowing these players.

“I think it would put the whole county on the back foot.”

• The league’s annual meeting is at Reman Services in Shrewsbury on Monday (8pm).

By CHRIS HUDSON