Bayliss told to stay clear of club

No entry! Heyside slap ban on league chairman

HEYSIDE Cricket Club have banned Eddie Bayliss, the chairman of the Saddleworth and District League and a well-respected umpire, from their ground.

The Little Hey Street outfit informed the league of their decision in a letter sent to the general secretary.

The letter sets out measures — under headings ‘A’ to ‘E’ — that have been implemented at Heyside in the wake of the unruly actions by some of the club’s supporters at last season’s two cup finals.

Heyside have put up notices around the ground reminding spectators that foul language will not be tolerated and members have been reminded of the consequences — the club face possible expulsion from the league — if there is any more disorderly conduct.

The ban on Mr Bayliss, along with Crompton player Simon Wright, was contained in section ‘F’.

It simply read: “To avoid any confrontation the following are requested not to attend Heyside CC until further notice.”

Mr Bayliss umpired at last season’s Tanner Cup final between Bamford Fieldhouse and Heyside. He was also present at the Moore Cup final between Uppermill and Heyside seconds.

Both matches were marred by bad behaviour, which led to Heyside being fined £500 for failing to control their players and spectators.

The club’s first and second teams were also deducted 20 points each, which came into effect at the start of this season.

The league were taken aback by the letter, signed by Heyside chairman Joe Warburton, and are now planning their next move.

General secretary Trevor Harrison said: “While we congratulate Heyside on the action taken against bad behaviour, we can’t understand their stance on Eddie.

“For some reason Eddie, in the eyes of Heyside CC, seems to be the ‘villain of peace’ in the unfortunate episode of last season’s Moore and Tanner Cup finals and the winter-long, seemingly never-ending rounds of discussions, disciplinary meetings and appeals.

“I can assure you that Eddie was not responsible for anything that occurred.

“At all times he conducted the meetings we had with fairness and integrity, and I do hope that those within Heyside CC, who seem to have a grudge against him, are fully aware of this fact.”

Peter Darby, the league’s umpires’ secretary, insists clubs won’t stop umpires from officiating at games.

Mr Darby said: “If Eddie Bayliss is appointed to go to Heyside, he will attend, irrespective of what Heyside say.

“We won’t have a situation where clubs will dictate which umpires stand at which matches.”




KEVIN RICHARDSON writes:

I’VE also been banned from Heyside Cricket Club.

No explanation, just a letter to the Saddleworth League general secretary, which said “to avoid any confrontation you are requested not to attend Heyside CC until further notice”. And I thought I was just covering a cricket match...