Official: West Hallam not going up
by Alan Rowley, 27th September 2002

West Hallam White Rose have been denied promotion to the Derbyshire Premier League after tonight's meeting of the Premier League's General Committee. Wirksworth, who finished bottom in the 2002 season, escape relegation and maintain their Premier League status.

In a press report, Gwyn Jones, Press Officer, states "The unanimous decision of the Ground Committee (who inspected the Beech Lane ground on Friday 13th September) was supported fully by the Premier League Management Committee, and this decision was ratified by a clear majority." Wirksworth abstained from the vote.

This will come as a major disappointment to the Beech Lane outfit and is bound to become a major talking point throughout Derbyshire cricket circles in the next couple of weeks. Posts on this site's message board have been urging the League to "do the right thing and promote West Hallam" .

Message board poster Jester said yesterday: "I dont play for West Hallam but give them their rightful place as they are a hard working club with great youth policies and hard working people which some of the Premier sides should be looking for instead of flashing the cash."

The debate has been heated at times, at one point threatening to end in legal action, however, a decision has now been reached. Is this decision correct?