FOUNDER members Great Horton have resigned from the JCT600 Bradford League after an association lasting 111 years.

Confirmation came in a letter to the league's annual meeting tonight at Pudsey Congs Cricket Club.

David Young, the league's chief executive officer, said: "We have received a letter from Great Horton stating 'We have decided to resign from the Bradford Cricket League with immediate effect'.

"They are founder members and it is a great disappointment.

"We have worked very hard with a number of people at Great Horton, and it is sad that they have decided that this is the way forward."

League president Keith Moss added: "We hope that something can be salvaged from Great Horton and we hope that they will return."

The club were asked at the league's annual meeting a year ago to implement certain improvements, and Young added afterwards: "There were a few things but we have had meetings with them and we were happy with what they were doing."

Great Horton, who won the league's Albert Smith Spirit of Cricket award as recently as 2009, were league heavyweights at the start of the 20th century, winning the league in 1904, 1906, 1908 and 1909 and the Priestley Cup in 1906, 1909 and 1911.

They are the second inner-city club to leave the Bradford League in successive years, following the expulsion of Manningham Mills.

However, any Great Horton players will not be able to transfer to other clubs until they have paid the fees owed for the league's annual dinner.

League newcomers Scholes have been drawn at First Division runners-up Woodlands in the opening round of the Sovereign Health Care Priestley Cup on Sunday, May 3.

There are only two all top-flight ties – Farsley v Pudsey Congs and East Bierley v New Farnley.

Sovereign Health Care Priestley Cup first-round draw: Farsley v Pudsey Congs, Undercliffe v Idle, Yeadon v Windhill, East Bierley v New Farnley, Keighley v Spen Victoria, Woodlands v Scholes, Gomersal v Cleckheaton, Hanging Heaton v Baildon, Bowling Old Lane v Brighouse. Byes: Bankfoot, Bradford & Bingley, Hartshead Moor, Lightcliffe, Morley, Pudsey St Lawrence, Saltaire. Priestley Shield ties reversed. Matches to be played on Sunday, May 3.