Halifax League club set to move

Officials of the Foster’s Halifax League have given their approval to a proposed merger between the Wibsey Park Chapel and Great Horton clubs.
By The Newsroom
Published 25th Nov 2014, 10:08 GMT

It would mean Wibsey moving from the former county ground at Bradford Park Avenue to Great Horton’s Ewart Street home for the start of the 2015 season.

Wibsey have acted quickly after Great Horton, founder members of the Bradford League, announced their resignation at last week’s annual meeting at Pudsey Congs.

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The clubs plan to merge and the Halifax League’s executive, who met last night, have given their approval for first and second team matches to take place at Great Horton.

Wibsey also run a third team, which plays in the Dales Council on Saturdays, and this side would continue to operate out of the smaller Haycliffe Lane ground at Wibsey. The club’s juniors play at the same venue.

Halifax League secretary Neil Myers, who met officials from Great Horton on Sunday, said the league’s executive were in favour of the move, subject to seeing documents that the ground was held in trust and more details about how a merger would occur.

He added: “Wibsey Park Chapel will not be tenants - they intend to move lock, stock and barrel to Great Horton.

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“It is a good opportunity for them to secure their future and develop.”

Myers said the league had requested some minor improvements to the Great Horton ground before next season and further work over the next two years.

“The club will work closely with the league’s grounds committee,” he said.

Wibsey Park Chapel joined the Halifax League from the former Bradford Central League in 2009 and were Division Two champions the following year, only to go straight back down.

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Myers added: “They have been good members and done everything we have asked.”

Wibsey have been on a rolling lease at vandal-hit Bradford Park Avenue, where they have limited facilities off the field and have found the upkeep of the big ground difficult.

It is believed Wibsey only have to give Bradford Council one month’s notice of their intention to quit Park Avenue.

Great Horton may have been struggling on the cricket front after 111 years in the Bradford League, but the club is well used by other members of the community.