BOLTON Association champions Walshaw have applied to join the rival Central Lancashire League.

They, and neighbouring Bury and fellow Association side Elton, responded after the CLL asked for applications from interested clubs.

But whereas Elton informed the Association of their intentions and kept them fully aware of developments, news of the Walshaw application came out of the blue for Bolton officials.

"We were shocked," said Association secretary Roy Cavanagh. "We knew the Central Lancs were interested in taking more teams but all we asked our clubs to do, and we did it on more than one occasion, was to let us know if they were interested.

"Elton did that and in fact asked us for permission to make an application but they were the only club to do so. We only found out about Walshaw's application when the Central Lancs League informed us as a matter of courtesy that they were to hold talks with the two clubs."

Walshaw are one of the Association's leading clubs, having won the league title four times out of the last five years.

"I suppose with a record like that they feel they need to join what they think is a stronger league but all we asked was that we were kept informed," said Roy Cavanagh.

"They have not broken any rules and I must admit there have been rumours about them wanting to join the CLL but we do feel somewhat aggrieved that another league should come on and tell us what is happening with one of our member clubs."

Walshaw chairman Keith Harris said his club had not informed the Association because they did not know if their application to join had been accepted by the CLL.

"It was always our intention to do that once we knew the CLL had accepted our application but it appears the Central Lancs did that last Friday but told the Association before they told us.

"We never meant it to be a slight on the Association. If anything it was perhaps an oversight."

It is understood that over a dozen clubs have applied for CLL membership but it is likely that only one will be accepted.

BOLTON Association champions Walshaw have applied to join the rival Central Lancashire League.

They, and neighbouring Bury and fellow Association side Elton, responded after the CLL asked for applications from interested clubs.

But whereas Elton informed the Association of their intentions and kept them fully aware of developments, news of the Walshaw application came out of the blue for Bolton officials.

"We were shocked," said Association secretary Roy Cavanagh. "We knew the Central Lancs were interested in taking more teams but all we asked our clubs to do, and we did it on more than one occasion, was to let us know if they were interested.

"Elton did that and in fact asked us for permission to make an application but they were the only club to do so. We only found out about Walshaw's application when the Central Lancs League informed us as a matter of courtesy that they were to hold talks with the two clubs."

Walshaw are one of the Association's leading clubs, having won the league title four times out of the last five years.

"I suppose with a record like that they feel they need to join what they think is a stronger lead but all we asked was that we were kept informed," said Roy Cavanagh.

"They have not broken any rules and I must admit there have been rumours about them wanting to join the CLL but we do feel somewhat aggrieved that another league should come on and tell us what is happening with one of our member clubs."

Walshaw chairman Keith Harris said his club had not informed the Association because they did not know their application to join had been accepted for consideration by the CLL.

"It was always our intention to do that once we knew the CLL had accepted our application but it appears the Central Lancs did that last Friday but told the Association before they told us.

"We never meant it to be a slight on the Association. If anything it was perhaps an oversight."