Herts Cricket League chairman Tony Johnson believes the two new county divisions will 'develop into something very exciting'

Herts clubs planned to leave the Home Counties Premier League in 2015 but clubs voted unanimously on Monday to go it alone a year earlier. 

Under the Home Counties constitution, teams are required to give one year’s notice to leave.

However, Herts Cricket League chairman Tony Johnson says clubs have been given permission by officials to quit immediately.

It is a decision that suits both leagues with Home Counties chairman Raymond Wood stating the Hertfordshire clubs have "seen sense" by accelerating their plans to leave.

It means the new Herts league structure will have to be set up very quickly.

But Johnson is excited by the prospect that the breakaway will help cricket in Hertfordshire.

He said: "It will be a very busy five months but I am really looking forward to it. There are a number of things we are looking into but the enthusiasm is there and it is great news that we have got it sorted without too much acrimony.

"So we are all looking forward to having the new structure in place and making the most of it.

"Our link with Saracens – who sponsor the Herts League - will help us develop it into something very exciting."

The decision to split away from the Home Counties came after clubs had told Hertfordshire league officials that they can no longer afford the time or money to travel long distances to neighbouring counties.

That is a problem which will to be solved, however, Wood believes that to compete at the highest level, travelling is an inevitable part of cricket.

He explained: “If you want to play cricket at the highest level, travelling will be involved. At that point it is up to clubs and the players to then decide if they are going to do that.

“But in the recent meeting with county boards, travel was not one of the main issues which was brought up. But that is in the past now so we will just get on with playing cricket which is the important thing.”

He continued: “We spent 14 years with the Herts teams building a strong league that is well regarded.

“It is a shame that it has changed but things move on in cricket. We respect the decision that they have made and we will get on with sorting out things for the Home Counties next season.”

It is hoped the Hertfordshire divisions will help the development of young cricketers as well as increasing the standard of competition.

Herts clubs have agreed that due to the time constraints, the composition of the divisions will be decided on last season’s final league places.

There is also likely to be a restructure of Divisions One and Two. Johnson explained: “The idea is to have the Premier Division, the Championship Division and Divisions One and Two containing ten clubs.

“So that will mean they are much more competitive. We are looking forward to working on things in our next meeting which will take place in the next couple of weeks.”