Long-serving player James Maunder has expressed his sadness at Liskeard Cricket Club’s withdrawal from the Cornwall League.

Maunder, a former captain of the club, told the Cornish Times: ‘It’s an extremely sad day for cricket in Cornwall when a large club like Liskeard, which had three league teams just eight years ago, can no longer field 11 players regularly.

‘In addition to the disappointment of the regular, committed players at the club, I feel especially sorry for the non-playing committee members who provided the backbone to the club for many, many years.

‘Our president, Sam Doidge, has raised funds tirelessly by organising the popular car boot sales on the ground.

‘Robin Marchant has put in countless hours every year preparing one of the best grounds in the county; and Jenny Marchant has been involved in the overall running of the club for more years than anyone can remember.

‘Every player at the club owes them a huge amount of gratitude and the three of them will be heartbroken to see the club they have loved for so long withdraw from the league.

‘The players would also like to thank the support the club received from its sponsors and from its regular spectators: it will sad for them to no longer watch cricket at the club they have enjoyed for so long.’

In the past week two Liskeard players – Steve Marchant and Joe Coates – have joined Boconnoc.