Clubs will be allowed to wear numbers and names on the backs of their shirts this season the JCT 600 Bradford League Management Board have confirmed.

The approval was given after two Division One clubs, Idle and Cleckheaton made requests to use them this summer.

Both asked to use numbering for their first and second teams and the Management Board ruled that blanket permission would be given, but clubs would have to abide by a number of strict rules.
The lettering and numbers should be in black and should conform to the size guidelines set out in current ECB regulations.

Only full surnames will be allowed and the numbering system for the squad of players should be continuous. There will be no numbers such as 99 or 77 used.

All clubs who opt to use numbers and names will have to submit their designed for approval to the Chief Executive who will check to see that they meet all of the regulations.

The Management Board have ruled that any club abusing the number system by using nicknames will face stringent punishment.

Chief Executive Bob Shackleton said: “If clubs are uncertain about the size of the lettering and numbers they should seek advice before having their shirts printed.

“This move is aimed at making it easier for umpires, scorers and spectators to identify players and it is important that it isn’t abused.

“Where clubs are applying numbering and names across their two teams the squad numbering will prove beneficial as a player coming into a first team will already have a number and that can be indicated on the team sheet.”