Plea To Yorkshire (15 Nov 1996)

15 November 1996

Plea to Yorkshire

By Andrew Collomosse

YORKSHIRE were last night urged to reconsider their decision to leave Headingley and move to a new #50 million stadium near Wakefield.

Around 400 of the county`s supporters attended a meeting of the Headingley Action Group, formed following the recent decision to relocate at the end of the century.

And Paul Caddick, the new owner of Leeds Cricket Football and Athletic Club who owned the ground, warned Yorkshire: "As you have given three years` notice to leave Headingley, we will not be spending any money on this site."

Concern was also expressed that Yorkshire decided to leave Headingley without giving members a chance to vote on the issue but Chris Hassall, Yorkshire`s chief executive, claimed: "The committee has had to show leadership and direction.

"I am embarrassed that we do not have better facilities for our members here at Headingley. Twenty-five percent of cricket in England is played here in Yorkshire and that gives us an awesome responsibility.

"We are committed to Wakefield. This site at Headingley is not big enough if we are going to realise all our aspirations.

"We are talking about Yorkshire County Cricket Club. Not Leeds or Headingley but Yorkshire and our responsibility is to this wider audience."

Source :: Electronic Telegraph (https://www.telegraph.co.uk)