CRISIS Ribblesdale League outfit Whalley's future is in doubt unless a desperate search for new players is successful.

That's the view of league representative Andy Pratt following a pre-season mini-exodus.

Former pro and last season's skipper Mark Fallon has quit to play nearer to his Manchester home.

And he has been followed out the door by batsman Darryl Redhead, who is expected to join Cherry Tree.

There are also doubts whether another former professional, Jason Smith, will be able to combine work commitments in London, with regular cricket.

Pratt said: "We are in desperate need of players.

"I cannot see the club surviving beyond a couple of years if this continues.

"There may be players at other clubs, who maybe are not getting a regular go, who fancy trying their hand at Whalley.

"The club needs to pick itself up. We need to take stock, muck in together and raise funds to invest in youth cricket, which is the club's future."

But Redhead said the cricket section had little chance of progress until the Whalley Sports and Social Club, which includes the tennis and bowls sections, decided to invest in facilities.

He said: "For the last couple of years we have had a decent set of lads, who have had to put up with the conditions.

"We have had to make our own teas and now each player has been given a specific job to do.

"But the reason some people view the Ribblesdale League as a Mickey Mouse league is because they have to play at facilities as bad as Whalley's.

"My company has sponsored golf days, and there is an annual sportsman's dinner, yet none of the proceeds seem to be invested in the cricket."

Potential players are asked to ring chairman and club secretary Derek Higginbotham on 01254 823251 or Andy Pratt on 01254 57297.

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