South Yorkshire Times May 27, 1967

Swinton withdraw from Yorkshire Council
Ground not up to standard

The demolition of the cricket pavilion at Swinton Athletic ground has forced the team to withdraw from the Yorkshire Council and could mean the end of Yorkshire Council Cricket in the town.

A club official said this week that the selection committee have decided to withdraw as the ground in not come up to the necessary standard for the Yorkshire Council without a cricket pavilion.

“The condition of the old pavilion had gradually deteriorated over the past few years, and after we tried to improve it, vandals because so much damage that the club management committee decided to pull it down about six weeks ago,” he added.

“At this time, we saw that there would be alternative accommodation provided for our first home match, which was due to be played on Saturday,” he went on.

In Autumn

“We heard from the management committee only on Tuesday week, quite by chance, and they told us that it could be October or September before any alternative is provided.

“We therefore decided to hand in our resignation, as we could not possibly expect byzantine to put up with the conditions at our ground.”

The club wrote to Yorkshire Council and South Riding League informing them of their resignation.

Last season, Swinton had quite a successful season, winning half of their matches, but this year interest had slackened off some particular among younger players.

“Our older members especially are bitterly disappointed that we have to withdraw and many of them have said they will not play again,” said the official.

“Others will try to find other clubs, but the younger ones seem to have other interests.”

The official added that it will be difficult for the club to get back in the Yorkshire Council once they had withdrawn.

“Imagine the position if you are on the Yorkshire Council committee and faced an application to join from a club who left only a year or two before. It will be very difficult to restart.”