A split has divided two sporting bodies in Montrose and sparked fears that cricket will be “lost to the town”.
Cricketers are seeking legal advice following a dispute with the management committee of Montrose and District Cricket and Rugby Club.
John McDonald said they were told the club would no longer offer club membership to cricket players.
He said the decision was “completely against the spirit of the merger” which happened around 26 years ago.
Mr McDonald, who captained the cricket team to three league titles and two counties cup wins in the 1980s, said: “Practice facilities are non-existent and very little thought has been given on how to promote the sport to the wider community with the result that there is an ageing team and the real prospect that in a few years the sport will be lost to the town.
“On the other hand a great deal of effort has been put into the advancement of rugby with youngsters of different ages being offered facilities and coaching which of course is fantastic.
“The decision to bar cricket players from membership of the club, which has been taken by the present management committee, is completely against the spirit of the merger.
“Obviously there is a fear amongst the cricket players that this is an attempt to drive them out and they are seeking legal advice on how to proceed.”
Mr McDonald said the club’s structure was now “lopsided” towards more “rugby-orientated members”.
President Duncan Campbell hit back and said the committee has been “disappointed” by the “independent behaviours, lack of engagement and limited contribution from our cricket playing members”.
He said they were now giving cricketers the opportunity to “develop, as a separately constituted club, in the direction that they would like to take cricket in the town”.
Mr Campbell said he wants to work the problems through “with those involved” to achieve a “win/win for everyone”.
He said: “There has been no representation on the club committee for two years, despite a vacant cricket convener position, an offer of a creation of a junior cricket convener and other roles being open to all members.
“While there was engagement some time back, recent offers for further meetings or discussions, including providing an independent mediator, have not been taken up.
“The committee has discussed this at length and engaged with a range of stakeholders to identify a way forward that enables both sports to thrive in Montrose.
“From this, a five point approach has been developed and was passed at our recent AGM.
“This includes a firm commitment to continue to provide cricket playing and training facilities at Union Park and access for training and matches over the long term.”
Cricket has been played at Union Park in Montrose since the 1880s and the pavilion at the town’s Union Park was built in the 1970s.
At that time Montrose Rugby Club played their rugby at Broomfield with no clubhouse facilities and it was felt there would be mutual benefit in merging the clubs.
The rugby club leaders recently announced plans for a new clubhouse and pavilion at the site after being awarded £50,000 by the Scottish Rugby Union (SRU).
