Warwickshire paceman Tom Allin has been forced to cut short his stay at Shrewsbury after the intervention of the Birmingham Cricket League.
Skipper Ed Foster had been looking forward to calling on the services of both Allin and the returning Jack Shantry, now of Worcestershire, as the London Roaders planned to field two contracted first class players for the first time.
Warwickshire coach Dougie Brown, an Edgbaston stalwart, had been happy for Allin to spend a third season with Shrewsbury, but the former Devon Minor Counties man has now been re-allocated to Birmingham League premier division rivals Walmley instead.
The need for change arose because Shrewsbury were told by the Birmingham League that Shantry would not be classed as a home grown player.
Even though Shantry played his junior cricket for the club and was a first team regular at Shrewsbury – his home town club – for four seasons, the fact he spent last year in the paid ranks with divisional rivals Walsall means, according to league rules, that he no longer qualifies as being one of the county town club’s own.
Foster admits he was disappointed with the ruling and is frustrated Allin will no longer be able to play his club cricket at London Road.
“Tom wanted to play for us again because he enjoys it,” said Foster. “He’s very disappointed having made Shrewsbury his home club since moving up from Devon.
“He didn’t want to play his club cricket anywhere else and Dougie Brown was happy for him to stay with us, but now Warwickshire have had to re-allocate him to Walmley.”
Foster added Shrewsbury had voiced their objections but it appeared to have cut no ice.
“Jack had played for our junior sides and won two national titles,” said Foster.
“The league said exemptions with contracted players would be made for home grown players, but Jack didn’t qualify for that because he had spent one season away playing for Walsall.
“But, given his background at our club, I can’t understand why.”
Shrewsbury, meanwhile, have been drawn away to Oswestry in the first round of the National KO with the tie to be played at Morda Road in early May.
Should Shrewsbury come out on top, they will host either Walmley or Dunstall in round two.
By Stuart Dunn
