FOUR new clubs have been admitted to the Foss Evening Cricket League this year.

It will have 27 teams spread over three divisions as its expansion continues after facing a bleak future in the early 2000s, when it had only about a dozen sides.

The newcomers are Heslington, Hemingbrough, Pocklington and Stillingfleet.

In the case of Stillingfleet, who recently withdrew from the York Vale League due to shortage of players on a Saturday, they are hoping that playing midweek cricket will regenerate the club.

Retreat will not be entering a second team this year.

York, who conceded two games last year, had to apply for re-election at the league's annual meeting at Dunnington.

Mark Burn, representing the Clifton Park club, explained how things would be run in 2017 and how he hoped there would be a vast improvement in organisation on and off the field. It was unanimously agreed to allow York to re-enter the league.

North Dalton have amalgamated with Middleton on the Wolds and will continue to play at North Dalton as Middleton & North Dalton.

There will be eight teams in divisions one and two and 11 in division three, whose sides will play each other once and then against a selection of other teams a second time.

Should a 12th team express an interest in joining division three in the next two to three weeks, this would help reduce the necessary bye week usage.

Division one: Bubwith, Dunnington, Woodhouse Grange, Middleton & North Dalton, Dunnington Academy, Osbaldwick, Yapham and Heworth

Division two: York, Tang Hall Tigers, Retreat, Bishopthorpe, Bishop Wilton, Barmby Moor, Woodhouse Grange Academy and Heworth Colts

Divison three: Melbourne, Stockton & Hopgrove, Westow, Thixendale, Aviva Vikings, Stamford Bridge Academy, Ovington, Stillingfleet, Pocklington, Heslington Centurions and Hemingbrough.

Meanwhile, Mike Wellock said that after more than 15 years as secretary he felt it was time to step down and asked for anyone interested to get in touch. He will continue as secretary and treasurer until someone volunteers to take over.

Stuart Craven, Neil Readman, Gary Andrew, Ian Holmes and Adam Mosley all agreed to continue on the committee. Ruth Steels will continue as results secretary and assistant secretary.

There is a balance of £1,860 in the league's bank account.

Subscriptions will remain at £25 per team but may increase in the future if the league feels the need to have some insurance to cover legal fees if required.

Clubs who do not have weekend teams were reminded of the need for them to be affiliated to the Yorkshire Cricket Board.

The league is also looking at the introduction of a social media policy.

The joint York Vale League and Foss Evening League awards evening will take place at the Regen Centre, Riccall, on Saturday, September 30.