THE future shape of the Dorset League is up for debate as clubs are set to vote on a five-year development plan proposed by league chiefs for the start of next season.

Teams who are set to compete in the Dorset divisions next term will meet on Monday at the Crown Hotel, Blandford (7.30pm) to vote on the long-term proposal, which allows any outfit in the county the chance to get into Premier One by 2020.

Dorset League secretary Alan Graham revealed the idea was planned after feedback was given by clubs about last season’s Premier One and Two play-offs.

He told Echosport: “We obviously changed the structure of the leagues last year in terms of the top two divisions especially. We asked for some feedback and there were mixed reactions.

“We are all very aware that Dorset League cricket has drop-ped in standard, we have lost players and lost teams and that is why we had to do something.

“The big-gest concern from the clubs is probably bec-ause it was such a culture change in having those play-off games and going a little bit longer at the end of the season.

“A lot of people said that ideally they would like 10 teams back to each premier division.

“We feel, at the moment, there are possibly not enough teams both on and off the field that are strong enough for that, but it set us in the motion of trying to think of a plan to get back to that at some point, and that’s where the development plan came from.”

Graham also indicated that with two leagues of 10 in place by 2020, unless teams requested, there would be no play-off system in place.

He added: “The idea of the five year plan up to 2020 is that almost any club in any division can align their own plan to it, so that if they are ambitious enough, on and off the field, they can plan for the top league and get there.

And should the plan not be backed by clubs, alternatives will be discussed on the night.

“Other clubs have put in different proposals,” the league secretary added. “Some want to go back to 10 clubs immediately and there are a couple that want to reduce the number of overs.

“If the development plan does not get voted in, other proposals will be allowed to the floor to see what teams think.”

PROPOSED STRUCTURE – DEVELOPMENT PLAN

2015 season: As per 2014.

2016: As per seasons 2014-15, but at the end of the season there will be three promotions from County Division One to Premier Two.

2017: Premier One consisting of eight teams and Premier Two will consist of 10 (no play-offs in Premier Two).

2018: As per 2017.

2019: As per seasons 2017-18, but at the end of the season there will be three promotions from both County Division One and Premier Two.

2020: Premier One and Premier Two, consisting of 10 teams each.