Oldham CC’s future in jeopardy

THE POllards: future still critical

CRICKET:

FOR the second time in three years, Oldham CC’s participation in the Lake Garage CLL is in doubt.

In April, 2009, a last-gasp U-turn saw the club decide to fulfil their fixtures despite the loss of a number of key players.

The lack of personnel, rather than financial issues, is once again the reason for crisis talks at the Pollards. A committee meeting was held at Oldham last night and it was decided to call an emergency players’ meeting for Monday night.

If the response is favourable and players show a willingness to recruit new cricketers to the club, Oldham are likely to continue in the CLL in 2012.

But first-team captain Chris McDonnell warned the situation remains serious.

“Since your report in the paper a few weeks ago (when Oldham appealed for new players) nothing has changed. There have been rumours in the town about us folding and my phone has not stopped ringing for the last two days.

“We are short of players as there are young lads doing their exams this year and others playing summer rugby for the first time. We could get a first team out, but the seconds would be left short and every time you don’t field a full team you incur a £50 fine. We want to carry on, but will have to see what happens at Monday’s meeting.”