Dickie Bird Backs Move By Yorkshire (10 Oct 1996)

10 October 1996

Dickie Bird backs move by Yorkshire

LEEDS, England, Wednesday - Veteran umpire Dickie Bird has given his support to Yorkshire`s decision to leave Headingley for a new 50 million pound complex near Wakefield.

Bird, who retired this summer as a Test umpire, told BBC TV: "You have to live with the times and I think it`s a good thing. I have seen the plans and they are magnificent.``

He could not resist recalling fond memories as a spectator, young player and umpire, saying: "It`s a sad day. Headingley is the venue of legends. It is steeped in history and tradition.

"I remember seeing Ray Lindwall bowl in a Test match in 1948. He took Len Hutton`s wicket in the first over of the morning. And I`ll never forget walking through the gates as a young player at the age of 16.

"The first Test I umpired was at Headingley between England and New Zealand in 1973. The gates were closed as I arrived very early, so I climbed over the wall and sat in the stands until it was time to get ready.

One of the main reasons for Yorkshire`s departure after 105 years at their Headingley headquarters to a 25,000-capacity all-seater stadium by the year 2000 is to preserve their Test ground status.

Source :: Daily News (https://www.lanka.net)