Don't miss the boat for Premier play-offs

Don't be shy in coming forward - that's the warning to clubs considering applying for the Furrows Shropshire Premier League play-offs.

And it's not that Premier chief Mark Burroughs is trying to poach the champions of other leagues, it's a statement issued in the light of tighter deadlines this season.

The winners of county-affiliated leagues, who play on a green in Shropshire that has floodlights, are eligible to feature in the promotion/relegation play-offs - but only if they apply to Burroughs.

In past seasons clubs have left it until they have actually won their respective league before applying for a Premier chance - but that will be too late this year.

"As a consequence of playing mostly Friday games this season, most leagues don't finish until September 26 - and the final play-off game is set in stone for the first Friday in October and that does not leave me enough time to organise pre play-off games if more than one club applies," said Burroughs."So any club that is considering applying needs to register their interest with me - in confidence if they want - before September 15.

"It will simply be too late to leave it until the Saturday after the season has finished," he stressed.

Worthington Mid Shropshire League title favourites Bowring made their Premier intentions clear from the off this season, but last year's near-miss club - Pontesbury - are involved in a battle royale in the Tanners Shropshire League this time.

One of their rivals for that crown are Ludlow Castle, who do have the alternative of applying as champions of the Ludlow League.

Mark Drayton League leaders Hanmer are ineligible as their green is in Wales - and they may yet be pipped by District anyway.

"The play-off on the first Friday in October is the biggest game of the season and we want to keep it that way," said Burroughs.