Old Lane chairman thanks clubs for support

With Bowling Old Lane's return to the top flight just three weeks away their chairman has praised the JCT 600 Bradford League's clubs for their support and patience through some of the toughest times in his club's distinguished history.

Old Lane, whose famous former players include the current Yorkshire captain and coach Darren Gough and Martyn Moxon plus Pakistan batsman Mohammad Yusuf, won both the Division Two and Second Teams Division Two titles last season.

They also reached both the Sovereign Health Care Priestley Cup and Shield finals after years in the doldrums.

Michael Hope

Their Birch Lane ground was the repeated target for vandal attacks and eight years ago there was a major fire there.

Speaking at Thursday meeting of Bradford League clubs chairman Michael Hope said: "I want to thank every club for your forbearance over the past eight years. "I said at the time of the fire that, like a phoenix, we would rise from the ashes and we have.

"I hope now that you will all come to our ground and enjoy our new changing rooms and tea facilities, savour our hospitality and brilliant teas."

Old Lane's first match back in Division One is at home to East Bierley on Saturday, April 21 when they will use their new changing rooms for the first time.