Century will be celebrated by a former member’s reunion (From Wharfedale Observer)

Century will be celebrated by a former member’s reunion

11:40am Saturday 2nd June 2012 in Local news By Annette McIntyre

A cricket club which was formed more than a century ago is inviting former members to its first ever reunion.

Green Lane Cricket Club is staging a free get-together on September 15 and it is throwing an open invitation to anyone who has been connected with the club over its long history.

The club was originally formed after the Great War with the initial intention of providing recreational activities for employees of Green Lane Dyeworks.

It started life in the summer of 1919 as members of Yorkshire Council, and in 1936 it was the founder member of the Airedale and Wharfedale Senior Cricket League.

Older members still remember the wicket keeper Don Brennan, who started his cricket career at the club before going on to play for Yorkshire and England more than 60 years ago.

During the Second World War, the club was forced to resign its membership of the league as most of its players, who had to be employed at the dyeworks, were either in the forces or working at ammunition factories.

It went on to become founder member of the Dales Council in 1956, and was re-elected to the Airedale and Wharfedale Senior League in 1961.

Although it retains the name of Green Lane the club is no longer connected with the dyeworks and has been in its premises at Nunroyd Park in Yeadon Since 1974.

Groundsman Tommy Powell, who is also the club’s longest serving member, said they would be laying on a lunchtime spread, followed by the chance to watch the first team playing at home and to enjoy music in the evening.

Tommy said a lot of the older members won’t ever have seen the new clubhouse. The oldest former member planning to attend so far is in his eighties.

“We are hoping to get about 40 here,” he said. “The hardest part is getting hold of them – there are people living all over the place.”

Committee member Noel Webster said they weren’t realistically expecting any guests from before the 1974 era.

But he stressed: “Even so – if other people read it who were connected with the club in an earlier era we would hope that they would come along.”

Anyone wanting to attend should contact Tommy on (0113) 250 1278, Noel on (01943) 876055, or the club on (01943) 878299.