Clubs in the trouble-torn Oxford Times Cherwell League have been handed an ultimatum by the executive committee back us or sack us.

The move comes after Cherwell chiefs took the unprecedented step of suspending themselves at an emergency meeting last week.

In a letter to clubs, league chairman Derek Primett has asked them to reply stating that they fully and unconditionally support and have confidence in the executive to manage the league And he warned that if the executive didn't receive the support of all 41 clubs by the deadline of Friday, July 14 then they would resign en bloc.

The only way the executive would remain in power if any club should revolt, would be if the club in question agreed to resign from the league.

The league will also assume that a failure by any club to reply by the deadline will be taken that they don't wish the excecutive to remain in power.

Primett explained that this action had been taken as there had been a recent trend for 'mal-contents, the disaffected or just plain disappointed clubs and/or individuals to form unconstitutional gatherings to act a pressure groups'.

"This trend must cease immediately," he added. "It is difficult enough trying to manage the many and varied duties and problems associated with the everyday running of the league without this uprising of clubs and individuals."

Rebel clubs and individuals led secretary Peter Tomlin to quit last week, but Primett revealed that he would reconsider his resignation if the clubs agreed to toe the line.

And he told the Oxford Mail: "We are just asking to manage the league as we were mandated to do at the EGM and the AGM.

"We have just had enough. We want the full support of the clubs.

"It is a very sad state of affairs and it was with great reluctance we have done this, but we felt we had to make a stand."

He added that the reaction to the letter so far had been positive.

However, there look sure to be dissenting clubs.

Wallingford, who were relegated three divisions last season, were among seven clubs who voted against accepting the modified constitution at the league's extraordinary general meeting in April.

And chairman Ian Saunders said that his initial thoughts without speaking to the rest of his committee would be that there stance hadn't changed.

"We voted against it as we were unable to represent ourselves in person at the league after we were punished last year," he said.

"My understanding at the EGM was that the constitution would be looked at, but that doesn't seem to be the case now.

"It seems that the executive seem to be wanting all the clubs to do what they want them to or they will take their ball away."

He said that if Wallingford decided against backing the executive, they wouldn't agree to resign from the league.

"They are holding every club to ransom," he added.

Kidlington also voted against the modified constitution at the EGM.

And chairman Nick Duval said: "We are going to meet to discuss it. I think the timescale is a bit radical, but it needs careful discussion."