CLUBS in the JCT600 Bradford League tonight voted to go ahead with their merger with the Central Yorkshire League for next season.

The vote at the special general meeting at Pudsey Congs was 20 in favour and four against, with one abstention.

Promotion and relegation will still be honoured between Division One and Division Two at the end of the current Bradford League season but the second tier for 2016 will now comprise two Championship divisions arranged geographically, containing Division Two Bradford League clubs and Premier Division Central Yorkshire League clubs.

The third and fourth tier, which won't contain any Bradford League clubs for five years unless they opt to drop down, will be called Conference One and Two and will include the rest of the Central Yorkshire League clubs.

The four Bradford League clubs to vote against the merger were Bankfoot, Bowling Old Lane, Farsley and Windhill, while Spen Victoria abstained.

It has also emerged that Wakefield Thornes were the only Central Yorkshire League club to opt to join the South Yorkshire Premier League, with Altofts, Methley and Townville electing to join what will now be called the JCT600 Bradford ECB Premier League.

Bradford League chief executive David Young spoke in favour of the merger before the vote was taken, saying: "I believe this is absolutely the right way to protect the Bradford League, and it will also be great for the wider area.

"If we (the Bradford League) were to lose three or four further clubs, the integrity of this league would suffer, and a vote in favour will also ensure a proper cricket structure within West Yorkshire.

"The Halifax League are also very positive about wanting to join the structure."