You’re welcome

Cricket

HEYSIDE Cricket Club say Eddie Bayliss, the chairman of the Saddleworth and District Cricket League, is welcome at their ground.

After meeting the league’s executive committee, the Little Hey Street outfit agreed, on request, to retract a statement with regard to Mr Bayliss, who is also a well-respected umpire.

The original statement said: “To avoid any confrontation, the following are requested not to attend Heyside CC until further notice.”

The “following” was a list of three names including that of Mr Bayliss (pictured below).

The statement was contained at the bottom of a letter which set out moves, applauded by the league, to curb any bad behaviour at the club.

Tuesday night’s meeting was called by the league, with chairman Joe Warburton and vice-chairman Billy Roberts representing Heyside.

Heyside argued that they were trying to protect Mr Bayliss from any “embarrassment with the spectators who did not agree with the league’s decision at the recent appeal hearing”.

That appeal hearing saw Heyside fined £500 and points docked for failing to control their players and spectators at the two cup finals last season.

This week’s meeting was friendly, after which both parties decided to release a joint statement.

It read: “The Heyside delegation pointed out that the letter they had originally sent to the league detailed several measures they had put in place to be observed by spectators at their ground during matches to ensure there was no behaviour which was considered unacceptable.

“They also said in their letter that Mr Bayliss was requested not to attend to avoid any possible confrontation which might cause him some embarrassment with spectators who did not agree with the league’s decision at the recent appeal hearing concerning the events of last season, and that the word banned was too strong a description of the measures taken.

“The league acknowledge that a further letter was received over the weekend from Heyside which was sent in an attempt to clarify the situation.

“The meeting was amicable and, at the league’s request, Heyside agreed that their statement was unconditionally withdrawn and Mr Bayliss is welcome to attend their club in both his capacity as league chairman or umpire.

“For his part, Mr Bayliss said that he was, in fact, an umpire at Heyside’s first XI fixture which was called off due to the weather at Droylsden last Saturday, and he had received a very kind welcome from all the Heyside players.

“He was happy to accept the withdrawal of the Heyside request, and that the matter had reached a satisfactory conclusion for all concerned.

“The league now consider the matter closed.”