LEEK and Staffordshire Moorlands cricket clubs are set to merge later this month.

Discussions between the two committees have taken place during the winter, and the merger was unanimously agreed at Staffordshire Moorlands' annual meeting last week. The club is to be known as Leek and Moorlands.

The move has been sanctioned by Leek's committee, but it will be formally ratified at their annual meeting on February 22.

Leek first team will play in the North Staffs and South Cheshire League Division One, following their relegation last year, and the seconds will be in the Division One B section.

Leek and Moorlands firsts will continue to play in the Stone and District League Premier Division, with their second team in Division One.

The former Leek 3rd XI, which played in the Stone League, has resigned from the set-up.

A joint statement from the clubs read: "The move signifies the club's intent to progress, as Leek look to bounce back and regain their Premier League status immediately.

"The new Leek and Moorlands outfit will look to gel quickly and build on the successful foundations laid by its predecessor, and achieve their goal of promotion to the North Staffs and South Cheshire League.

"Although the Leek first and second teams will remain unaffected in name by the move, the influx of Staffordshire Moorlands playing members adds further strength to the overall playing squad, with opportunities of progression throughout the four tiers of teams.

"The players will practice together and will benefit from the expertise of newly-appointed club coach Dave Ferris.

"Off the pitch, the existing Leek officers will remain in place. The former Staffordshire Moorlands key figures will be offered positions on the general purposes committee, with all new members welcome to join existing sub-committees in a bid to strengthen the existing infrastructure in place to drive the club forward as a single entity."

Brian Mellor is expected to be confirmed as Leek first-team captain, with Matt Bailey captaining the second team.

Former Leek players Richard Ogden and Dave Alcock are re-united with their former club, and are expected to be elected as captains of the newly-named Leek and Moorlands first and second teams.

The merger follows similar moves made in recent seasons by Stone, who merged with Swynnerton Park, and Hem Heath, who joined forces with Forsbrook, while Wedgwood and Creda Stanfields came together to form Wedgwood Stanfields.