HUDDERSFIELD could be set to lose another of the town’s cricket fields, unless a new team can be found to play on it!
The Britannia Sports ground at Salendine Nook has been the home for several teams down the years, most recently Edgerton and Birkby FMA, both of whom originally played in the old Huddersfield Cricket Association before joining the Arrow Huddersfield Central League.
However, at the end of last season Birkby folded due to lack of playing personnel, leaving just one Evening League Section II side, Britannia Works, using the cricket facility during the summer.
And now unless a new weekend team can be found to use the ground, the club will be forced to close the cricket side of the facility.
Club chairman Barry Humphries explained: “We simply cannot afford the upkeep of the field without a Saturday team using it.
“We spent £600 on the square alone last year, and we are looking at between £700 and £800 to keep the outfield cut during the season.
“Unfortunately Birkby FMA folded last year, leaving us with just the Evening League side, so we really are looking for someone else to come along and play here, and rent the ground.
“Obviously we’d love to keep it going because there are not than many fields left. But I’m afraid the cricket section can’t carry on unless we can attract another Saturday team.”
Sport has been played at the Salendine Nook complex – formerly owned by Birkby engineering company Hopkinsons – for more than 70 years, and the club is still a thriving concern with three Saturday football teams plus one junior team, served by a pleasant clubhouse with changing rooms and other facilities.
Originally bought in 1934 for the workers at Hopkinsons, it was used by thousands of employees over the years for a variety of sports.
The cricket field was used for a while by David Browns after they had to leave their Crosland Moor base, and they ground-shared with Birkby FMA, while Edgerton were another team to use the facilities for a short while until they found a more permanent home at Dalton, where they still remain.
Birkby FMA, who only had one team, were then joined by new club Harry Lime (who also came into the Arrow Central League with just one team) in another ground-sharing partnership, before the latter moved into the Central League.
But now with the demise of Birkby FMA, the Britannia cricket field is under threat.
Should any club be interested in moving to Britannia, they should contact, in the first instance, chairman Barry Humphries, on 07939 110414.
