THE president of Rastrick Cricket Club has resigned after making a racist comment at a children's party.

Ken Holroyd, 57, told DJ Paul McDermott to: "Stop playing that nigger music," at a Halloween disco on November 1.

The incident happened at the club's Clough Lane HQ after 34 members had enjoyed a day out at Wetherby Races.

The group, among them Mr Holroyd, made their way back to Rastrick where youngsters were enjoying the dance.

Mr McDermott was playing chart and rap music.

Mr Holroyd, of Scholey Road, Rastrick, who has won two long-service awards as well as the prestigious Lady Sykes Candlesticks accolade from the Drakes Huddersfield League for duties to the club, demanded the track be changed.

Mr McDermott wrote a letter of complaint to club officials about his remark.

Headed by chairman Ian Thornton, the committee voted 10-0 for Mr Holroyd's resignation.

Mr Thornton explained that the club took foreign players and had members from ethic minorities.

"It's a very sensitive thing, a racist comment like that."

He said other adults present at the party had heard the outburst.

"Everybody bangs on about keeping racism out of sport and I'm afraid the committee had to do something and be seen to be doing something," added Mr Thornton.

Although Mr Holroyd has left the post of president, he has not been asked to give up his membership.

And at the club's annual awards ceremony tomorrow, he is in line for a further award for his lifetime of duty to the successful club.

Mr Holroyd is a former first team captain at Rastrick and has been a member for virtually 40 years.

He ran the under-13 team for ten years as well as the under-17s. More recently, he has helped with ground staffing duties.

Mr Holroyd, who held the post of president for six years, said he was devastated by the decision. He explained he was not a racist and that it was an ill-judged remark made under the influence of drink.

"I'd had a drink so I might have said something out of turn. I don't remember exactly what it was but if that's what they claim I can't deny it."