Laisterdyke Cricket Club have not only resigned from the Bradford Central League, they have also folded.

A letter from cricket club secretary Jason Taylor to league secretary Peter Farndale bearing the bad news was read out at the league's annual meeting at the Avenel Club in Allerton.

It said: "I have been asked to advise officials of the league that unfortunately Laisterdyke will not be playing a part in the centenary season of the Bradford Central Cricket League (2008), which I am disappointed about.

"The club as a whole has lost some 20 players from the end of the 2007 season and they are not going to be in a position to field one team, never mind two.

"The club and myself have been part of the Central League for at least the last 15 years, so to miss out on such an important season for the league is bitterly disappointing for myself.

"The reasons why so many have left is not known as I have not heard from them but I know that at least five have retired and another five have decided to join a different club for a different challenge.

"I have not had any contact from any of the first team and they didn't turn up to our presentation night, so the general committee (of Laisterdyke Cricket & Athletics Club) have taken the stance that if they cannot support the club then they will not support the players.

"I would like to thank yourself for all the help and advice that you have given me over the years while I have been cricket secretary at Laisterdyke and wish you and the league all the best for the future."

The resignation of the former Bradford League club is another big blow to the Central League and leaves them with only seven clubs for 2008.

In his annual secretary's report, Farndale said: "Just when we thought that we would be able to celebrate our centenary with eight clubs, we receive the news that Laisterdyke are to cease playing cricket.

"I see this is as just one more hurdle to climb. I'm sure that between the (league) executive (committee) and the clubs a solution can be found to overcome this problem.

"We must celebrate our centenary if nothing else. The sub-committee are working hard to this end with a centenary dinner and a booklet about the history of the league.

"I call upon everybody connected with the league to ensure that the centenary does take place.

"One hundred years of cricket is an awful long time just to be forgotten."

A rule change passed on the night meant that Laisterdyke could have carried on with only one team instead of two.

Laisterdyke, whose best-known player was former England Test star Abe Waddington, had two spells in the Bradford League (1909-27, 1963-1986) and won the championship in 1913.

They won the Central League championship in 1930 (jointly with Sandy Lane), 1941, 2004 and 2005.