A group of concerned cricket followers, who fear that the future of local cricket is being seriously jeopardised without a youth programme, have opted to take matters into their own hands and run a league themselves.

Anxious to accommodate the many youngsters who they feel have been unjustly deprived of the privilege of playing regularly during the summer months, the group has formally approached Shell Company of Bermuda for support in this venture.

Russell Richardson, who has signed a letter on behalf of the group, is one of the individuals who just last week laid the blame of the non-existence of a youth league solely on the shoulders of the Bermuda Cricket Board of Control.

This came after the BCBC president Ed Bailey had in turn put the blame directly on the clubs.

But yesterday Richardson said that it was not the time to point any fingers, suggesting that the new group's priority was to urgently supply the youngsters with cricket as the school holiday period rapidly approaches an end.

Richardson and former cricketer St. Clair Tucker had claimed that youth cricket had suffered severely ever since the Shell Youth League was suspended three years ago after a disagreement between the sponsors and the governing body.

Yesterday, Shell representative El James was unwilling to get into a debate over why there was no youth league in operation, but he did react favourably to the steps taken by Richardson's group and stressed that his company were always keen to act as sponsors.

"All we want to see is a decent junior league in operation,'' said James.

He added: "We have received a letter from this group stating their desire to run the league with the blessing of the BCBC and they say that they have several people who are willing to assist in their efforts.'' In the letter to Shell, Richardson clearly stated the group's awareness of the company's interest in the further development of youth cricket. After withdrawing from operating the Shell Youth League, the company invested $40,000 into the development of youth soccer.

"I want to congratulate your company for the role you have played in helping to develop youth cricket and cricket in general on this island,'' said Richardson in the letter.

"The recently concluded International Youth Tournament in Denmark highlighted -- even to the most ignorant cricket fan -- the lack of youth cricket development at present. This fact also in plain view during the selection process for the 1993 Cup Match. There are many old players in Cup Match who the spectators would like to see replaced. But who is going to replace them? "Without a properly organised youth programme, there are very few promising youngsters in local cricket. And if we continue without a youth programme much longer cricket is going to die a natural death.'' The letter continued: "I have been elected by a group of concerned cricket fans to inform you that if you are willing to continue as sponsors we can elect a working committee and select coaches and reinstate the Shell Youth Tournament as we knew it and restore some glory to the sport that we love.'' Although obviously directing criticism at the board, the letter went on to say that it was still the intention of the group to "assist'' the governing body in the development of the sport.

The BCBC's attempts to run a league early in the season barely got off the ground and they later sent out a circular asking the clubs to run the league themselves.

In a memorandum to clubs as recently as last month the board released a draw for the Shell Youth Knockout competition, scheduled to start on August 9, but this never transpired either.

"Our group are anxious to see the youngsters involved in a league and with the few weeks that are left in the summer there is still sufficient time to arrange something constructive for them,'' said Richardson.

"Many of today's star players came up through the Shell programme when it was run properly. It was one of the best programmes for our cricket and it's vital that it be reinstated.'' RUSSELL RICHARDSON -- There is still "sufficient time to see youngsters involved in a league.''