Moving story

The festering argument over whether the county should quit Old Trafford for a new green-field site rumbles on with little sign of resolution. The sub-committee formed to weigh up the pros and cons were due to report in June but that has now been postponed indefinitely. On one hand members and outsiders complain about the dilapidation of the famous old ground, which requires massive investment to refurbish it, and are seduced by the tempting prospect of a modern stadium with state-of-the-art facilities. They point, too, at the lack of support from Trafford council, who tried to stop the club from staging pop concerts on the grounds that there would be too much noise, litter and drunkenness. This a stone's throw from the football ground.

But Jim Cumbes, the club's chief executive, points out that the arguments in favour have been over simplified. "We have a vast investment in the ground having built up the catering and banqueting business which brings in considerable profit and we now have the Trafford Lodge hotel which also produces much needed cash. If we move, how would we make up the shortfall? We need to know in detail just what's on offer in any move because there would be little point in going to a new ground and throwing all that away. Plus we would probably not be able to stage a Test match for a few years because a new square would take time to bed in."

Moment of the month Seeing that first title for 70 years come closer.