Cherwell League chairman Clive Ricks has given the strongest indication yet that he could step down at the end of next season.

Ricks was voted in by the clubs in 2010 following a power struggle.

And in his report to the annual meeting at Bicester & North Oxford on Thursday night, he said: “Some of you may recall that in my ‘manifesto’ when I sought election for chairman four years ago I made six pledges – four of which have been fulfilled.

“I am pleased to say that we are close to making good on the fifth and negotiations are progressing with a major sponsor.

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“The last pledge was that I felt five years was sufficient in the role as chairman and, should I be lucky enough to be re-elected tonight, it will be my fifth year – you have been warned!”

Ricks was duly re-elected, but it may be that the development of league cricket in the region could see him seek to extend his tenure.

He added: “We have had several useful discussions with the Thames Valley League about the future of league cricket in our area.

“The Home Counties Premier League is less easy to communicate with.”

Vice-chairman Stephen Brain did step down, though, along with management committee member Tony Lord.

David Beck (Horley) and Mike Dove (Witney Mills) were elected to the committee.

The Cherwell will introduce a major change for next season by combining Divisions 9 and 10.

This section will have 15 teams, who will play each other once each in the league with a cup competition for those teams during the last three weeks of the season.

Treasurer Len Payne presented a balance sheet, which showed the league’s reserves stand at a healthy £34,844.51.

OFFICERS ELECTED

Chairman: C Ricks; treasurer: L Payne; secretary: D Giles; management committee: L Addison, D Beck, M Dove, S Misseldine, G Murton, D Pryor, N Pykett.

2015 DIVISIONAL LINE-UP

Div 1: Banbury 2nd, Cumnor, Great Brickhill, Leighton Buzzard, Long Marston, Oxford 2nd, Thame Tn, Tiddington, Twyford, Wolverton.

Div 2: Abingdon Vale, Aston Rowant 2nd, Bledlow Village, Challow & Childrey, Didcot, Great & Little Tew 2nd, Horspath 2nd, Oxford & Bletch Non, Oxford Downs, Sandford St Martin.

Div 3: Banbury 3rd, Bicester & North Oxford, Blewbury & Wallingford, Buckingham 2nd, Cropredy, Cublington, Dinton 2nd, Horley, Oxford Downs 2nd, Shipton-under-Wychwood 2nd.

Div 4: Bletchley Tn, Brackley, Chearsley, Great Brickhill 2nd, Kimble, Kingston Bagpuize, Leighton Buzzard 2nd, Stokenchurch, Tiddington 2nd, Witney Mills.

Div 5: Abingdon Vale 2nd, Aston Rowant 3rd, Bledlow Ridge, Cumnor 2nd, East Oxford, Horspath 3rd, Long Marston 2nd, Oxford 3rd, Thame Tn 2nd, Twyford 2nd.

Div 6: Banbury 4th, Bledlow Village 2nd, Didcot 2nd, Challow & Childrey 2nd, Cublington 2nd, East Oxford 2nd, Great & Little Tew 3rd, Horley 2nd, Sandford St Martin 2nd, Wolverton 2nd.

Div 7: Abingdon Vale 3rd, Bicester & North Oxford 2nd, Bledlow Ridge 2nd, Brackley 2nd, Buckingham 3rd, Cropredy 2nd, Horspath 4th, Oxford 4th, Oxford & Bletch Non 2nd, Shipton-under-Wychwood 3rd.

Div 8: Aston Rowant 4th, Banbury 5th, Bletchley Town 2nd, Cumnor 3rd, Didcot 3rd, Long Marston 3rd, Oxford Downs 3rd, Tiddington 3rd, Blewbury & Wallingford 2nd, Witney Mills 2nd.

Div 9: Abingdon Vale 4th, Bicester & North Oxford 3rd, Bledlow Village 3rd, Challow & Childrey 3rd, Chearsley 2nd, Cropredy 3rd, Dinton 3rd, Great & Little Tew 4th, Kimble 2nd, Kingston Bagpiuze 2nd, Leighton Buzzard 3rd, Shipton-under-Wychood 4th, Stokenchurch 2nd, Thame Tn 3rd, Twyford 3rd.

  • Teams in Div 9 to play each other once.
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