PLANS to reopen a troubled social club in Brighouse are going ahead – despite the potential for future court action by one of its members.

Andy Taylor, a former subscriptions secretary, said he still hoped Blakeborough Social Club at Bradford Road would reopen before Christmas.

He spoke out after he and club officials scored a major court victory over Andy Speechley, who led the bowling club faction in a bitter battle lasting several years to decide who had the power to run the social club.

Mr Taylor said although there were still difficulties with getting the power switched on he was confident the club would soon be back on its feet.

He said: “We are having a meeting with Carlsberg Tetley representatives on Thursday and I hope we can get things moving over the next few weeks.”

Mr Speechley, who was left with a legal bill totalling tens of thousands of pounds after his unsuccessful civil action in Leeds, says he has no intention of backing down and an important point of principle is at stake.