Cricketers still fear for future despite reprieve over ground

A CRICKET club expecting to lose the ground it has occupied since the 1930s through redevelopment plans believes it has won a reprieve, but officials are now worried about the long-term viability of the club.

Rockingham Colliery Cricket Club was established in Hoyland Common, Barnsley, in the 1930s and is based at the Rockingham sports ground.

Several years ago Barnsley Council announced it planned to use the site for a job-creation project.

That hinged on the council finding an alternative home for the club and it appears no suitable site is available in the neighbourhood.

The club is oversubscribed for the one pitch it has available and the council has now decided the whole sports ground site is no longer needed for its job-creation ambitions, leaving the club expecting to stay where it is, despite a need for more space.

The club said it welcomes the change in Barnsley Council’s plans, but officials have not yet seen revised plans to show how much of the recreation ground would be lost.

Although the second site, at Parkside, could be offered, the club says it could prove unsuitable because of a slope to the land there.

“Nevertheless, the cricket club is grateful to Barnsley (Council) who are clearly anxious to support and encourage our future growth and ambitions.”