- Mike Gatting has sent messages of support
Pacific Cricket Club will remain in the borough next season now the club has won its battle to keep its ground open.
Pacific CC captain Jon Webley exclusively told Islington Now that former England captain Mike Gatting, now managing director for cricket partnerships at the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), has supported the campaign.
Play had been temporarily suspended at Wray Crescent, Islington’s last designated ground, following a dispute with a local resident who had the windscreen of his Porsche sports car smashed by a stray ball.
But this week, the council, which has already paid out £680 in compensation to the aggrieved neighbour, said it would stump up the necessary funds to supply the ground with protective nets.
Mr Webley said: “There was talk of moving us outside the borough which we certainly weren’t keen on.
“It would have given us no time to prepare and find a new ground. That wasn’t particularly fair of the council, was it?
“However we chatted to the ECB last week and they were very interested in helping us and have helped fund our cause.
“We are just delighted by this decision and we’re desperate to get out and play in under a month’s time.”
He added: “We assumed it would take months to discuss and find a solution but to have the decision straight away is incredible news for the club.”
The decision to suspend cricket in the borough was overturned last week thanks to a host of national support that also involved TalkSport and the Metro, the Guardian and the Telegraph.
Mr Webley said: “We certainly didn’t expect to receive so much support.
“We don’t play to a particularly high standard, but we pride ourselves on our tradition and legacy as the only cricket club in the borough, enjoying what we do.”
Cricket has been played at Wray Crescent for more than 20 years and is used by a number of teams, as well as for the coaching of young players.
It is hoped that the addition of a £5,000 new net to an existing boundary fence will prevent future damage to residents’ cars and property. The new net will be funded by the council’s Greenspace budget.
A meeting at the Town Hall on 16 March will confirm the club’s future.
Catherine West, the leader of the council, said: “Despite the huge pressure we face on budgets because of the Government’s cuts, we’re determined to protect Islington’s last cricket pitch.
“We’ll keep a close eye on the situation to make sure that the sound of ball on willow continues in Islington for years to come.”
