Saltaire skipper Ijaz Khan would have liked the JCT600 Bradford League to have introduced an end-of-season play-off in 2010.

With three clubs going down from Division One this season and only two coming up to finally make the top flight an even number of clubs, Khan feels there would have been merit in a play-off between the third-from-bottom club in Division One and the third-from-top club in Division Two.

He said: “It’s all right if there is only two up and two down, but in a season where there is an unequal number of clubs either going up or coming down, there should be a play-off.

“It could be programmed in to be played on the Sunday after the last day of the season, so everyone would know when it was.”

Khan added: “I am glad that the Bradford League are finally getting rid of the free weekend in Division One.

“It was ridiculous for the so-called top league in the country to have a free weekend in it’s main division.”

Warming to sitting on his soapbox, Khan went on: “Also if a moneyed club does eventually join the Bradford League then there is no way that they should go straight into Division One.

“They should play in Division Two and earn the right to play in the top section.

“If they are that good it will only take them a season anyway, but if they were to go straight into the top division what does that say about the clubs in Division Two that have been members of the league for 100 years? It wouldn’t be right.”

Saltaire, meanwhile, find themselves in a Division One relegation dogfight.

They are third from bottom with 72 points, which puts them 15 points behind defending champions Baildon and safety but just two points above second-from-bottom Yeadon.

Saltaire defeated Baildon last Saturday, with Khan extolling the virtues of Wasim Munawar and opener Tim Jackson, who both made half-centuries in an unbroken partnership of 87.

Khan said: “We were in trouble at 52 for three but they saw us home.”

Nadeem Mohammed had earlier taken four for 54 and leg-spinner Tom Hudson three for 27 from 15 accurate overs.

Khan added: “Nadeem has consistently been our best bowler this season, while we have really benefited from having the three lads from North Leeds – Farhaan Khan, Tim Jackson and Tom Hudson.

“Also, with no Imran Arif or Tim Linley this season, we are playing six or seven lads who are under-19, including Tinishe Gomwe, who has joined us from the Craven League.

“Many of them have come through our youth system and they are showing promise but the problem is their shot selection.

“If you bat for 50 overs then you can put up a score but it can be a steep learning curve at times.

“However, we know that on our day we are match for any team in the league.”

Tomorrow Saltaire are at second-placed Pudsey Congs, while Yeadon are at home to third-placed Pudsey St Lawrence.