Sports firm closure hits cricket for six

HAPPIER times . . . entrepreneur and professional cricketer Mike Richardson, who set up Romida in 1978, with son Scott when they played together at Werneth Cricket Club

OLDHAM’S cricketing fraternity has been left stumped by the closure of a renowned sports-equipment firm.

Romida Sports — based in Newhey and well known within local league circles — ceased trading last week after going into administration.

Buyers are now being sought for the family firm, which was set up by professional cricketer Mike Richardson — who played for Delph and Dobcross, Crompton and Friarmere — but passed on to his wife Anne and son, former Yorkshire cricketer Scott Richardson, when he lost his battle with cancer in 2005.

Chairman of the Saddleworth and District Cricket League, Eddie Bayliss, said, “It’s very sad, as a league we — and many others in the area — dealt a lot with Romida,” said Mr Bayliss.

“I’m really, really sorry that this has happened to them.

“We have an under-17 knockout cup competition for the Romida Trophy which they kindly donated and they were always very generous when it came to supplying cricket shirts for competitions.

An extremely wet summer and high-profile sporting events such as the Olympics and the Tour de France were cited as reasons for Romida’s recent bout of poor trading.

Manchester financial firm PKF are looking for a buyer for the business.


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