Turmoil’s over for cricketers

NEW HOME FOUND FOR EVICTED CLUB

Langley Park Sports and Social Club where Langley Park Cricket Club played A CRICKET club has found a new ground after “weeks of turmoil”.

Langley Park Cricket Club was told it could no longer play at the field at Langley Park Sports and Social Club – its home for 100 years – by land owner Alan Cassidy, when he wrote a letter to Durham Cricket Club.

The club, which feared it would not have a home for next season, has now been granted a licence for a former cricket ground in the nearby village Bearpark.

A spokesperson for the club said on Thursday: “After weeks of turmoil, Langley Park Cricket Club are delighted to announce that we have been granted a licence to use the cricket ground based at Bearpark.

“This commences from 1st October whilst the asset transfer process is undertaken.

“The club will be able to commence work on the clubhouse and ground from the issue date of the licence.

“The club are now focusing on the future and will ensure that specific elements of cricket will also continue in Langley Park such as All Stars and Chance to Shine.”

The news comes after Langley Park Sports and Social Club, which is owned by Mr Cassidy, released a statement claiming the cricket club showed a “lack of respect” and members would bring their own drinks into the grounds when it was not allowed.

The statement, on Facebook, said the cricket club was “no longer welcome”.

After being turfed from the ground, the cricket club said it was devastating to see its history being lost.

Sir Bobby Robson, who grew up in the village, played at the club and brought the FA Cup to the park when he was manager of Ipswich Town.

A spokesperson for the club said they “totally and utterly” disagreed with the comments made in the statement.