Cricketers ‘booted out by rugby league club’

The ground at Birchencliffe which has been home to both Birchencliffe Cricket Club and Lindley Swifts ARLFC. Inset: Cricket club secretary Tony Brice it can to assist in this matter.”

Former cricket club secretary and groundsman Mark Burns, who has resigned and gone to play for Golcar, said he had been left with no option but to resign after he was suspended from the club for allegedly overstepping his authority for stopping a match being played there.

He said: “They had trashed the match wicket so I stopped the game.

“Afterwards, I got a phone call from Tony Brice, secretary of Birchencliffe Cricket Club, saying I had exceeded my authority and was suspended. Cricket has been played here since the 1950s but I think that will be the end of it now.

“It’s a shame because it is acknowledged as one of the best cricket grounds around. Players from other teams rave over the quality of the cricket and the facilities. “We were one of the most diverse teams too with six different nationalities playing for us – we had British, New Zealand, West Indian, Pakistani, Indian and Qatar players in the team.

“We were dead against the changes but the club allowed it and the rugby players have about two to three times as many members as the cricketers so it was a no-win situation.

“I understand that as a result of all this the club will eventually change its name to Birchencliffe Sports and Social Club.” Mr Brice declined to comment. Lindley Swifts ARLFC were unavailable for comment last night.