LAWYERS look set to decide the future of a hotly-disputed bowling club.

Key members of Blakeborough Sports and Social Club, Brighouse, known as ‘Blakes’, have endured a torrid time since their attempt in 2008 to sell off the separate Albion Bowling Club in Halifax Road.

They hoped to use the money to pay off the sports club’s mounting debts, but bowling club members were not prepared to give up their club easily.

They thought the pendulum had swung their way last year when a judge in Leeds ruled massively in their favour.

But now, Andy Speechley, a leading member of the bowling club faction, says he is confident the pendulum has swung back their way.

Despite his comprehensive drubbing in Leeds he was determined to fight on despite the heavy costs, and have the decision reviewed by the Court of Appeal, Civil Division.

In documents seen by the Examiner, the Rt Hon Lord Justice Lewison makes an order allowing the action and explaining the reasons for doing so says: “The grounds of appeal as amplified by the skeleton argument have real prospects of success.”

An upbeat Mr Speechley, said: “We have to be in with a very good chance of winning the appeal.

“It means we are now in a situation where the other side are really on the backfoot.

“But it would be unseemly to gloat and I am still offering to talk to them. I don’t want to see them humiliated. Brighouse is a small town when all is said and done.

“I have asked Craig Whittaker, the MP for Calder Valley, to reaffirm his offer to mediate between the two sides.

“If they have any sense they will come to the table even at this late stage. I have no interest in seeing anyone going into huge distress.

“The appeal should be heard within six to eight weeks before three lords who will look at the judgement handed down in Leeds.

“It is completely convincing that the original judge got it wrong.

“We will win our club back and hopefully get on with the new season.

“If we miss the first few weeks other clubs have offered to step in and let us play on their greens.

“If any good has come out of this it is that we have all been caused to come together in a quite empowering way.

“People are rallying round and fighting for the ‘little’ club.”

Andy Taylor, who has been doggedly spearheading the fight on behalf of Blakes, was not available for comment.