THIXENDALE have had their membership of the HPH York Vale Cricket League suspended after failing to fulfil a string of fixtures because they could not raise a team, writes Martin Jarred.

League secretary Andy Copeland said: “During the past few weeks Thixendale representatives have been in communication with the league relating to issues they are experiencing with playing numbers and the viability of their YVCL existence.

“The league are reluctant to lose any more teams and especially grass roots village sides that have been the bedrock of the membership over the years.

“We are aware that there has been an amount of speculation over the future of Thixendale over social media in the last few days and the league management team would like to clarify the position.”

The league have come up with a six-point plan: 

• Thixendale CC’s membership of the YVCL has been ‘suspended’ with immediate effect 

• All results this season have been expunged

•  New league tables will be issued next week containing a revised division one 

• There will be no relegation from division one in 2014

• Thixendale will be given until September 30 to gather their resources and apply for re-election into the bottom division 

• Subject to Thixendale’s application for re-election, the membership will decide at the annual general meeting in November if the re-election request is successful or not.

Thixendale won division two last season but have struggled to put out a full side for games in the top flight, having conceded three league games and one cup game.

Thixendale have been Vale League members since 1986.