BURLEY are preparing to bring cricket back to the old Scalebor Park Hospital ground.

They have entered into a partnership with Burley Community Trust to install an artificial grass pitch which will be used by their under nine and ten teams.

The Trust are contributing £3,600 and the club are having to raise the a similar amount before the end of March.

David Cooper, Burley’s director of cricket, said: “We were delighted when the Trust asked us if we would like to play at the hospital ground.

“Burley Trojans have been playing football there, but cricket hasn’t been played there since the old Scalebor Hospital team folded up. They used to play in the Leeds League.”

He added:”The timing of the approach was absolutely perfect. We now have a third team in the under-10 age group and were looking for a suitable pitch.

“This season we will be using Scalebor Park and Ghyll Royd School in addition to the main club ground.”

The club has had a big influx of under-10 cricketers and is expecting a further expansion of its junior section when the new ECB All Stars initiative is launched for 5-8 year olds.

Cooper said: “Our aim is to produce players who will go on to play for our senior sides in years to come.”

Burley have just launched a Just Giving site to boost their planned fund-raising activities.

People can donate can at https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/david-cooper-1