A Fife cricket club dating back 175 years has been forced out of action by the state of its clubhouse and a lack of players.
Cupar Cricket Club has been providing an outlet for fans of the game since 1836, but this season its committee had no choice but to suspend play as they were short of numbers and lacked suitable facilities for welcoming fellow clubs.
Although it lists its establishment date as 1884, the club was formed in 1836. Since its revival in 1884, its operation has been interrupted only by the two world wars.
Secretary Gordon Anderson confirmed that the club had decided to pull out of play this season. He said, “We have been struggling for players in recent years, and also the previous winter we had problems with the plumbing in our clubhouse.
“Our clubhouse isn’t really suitable for hosting games.
“We had hoped to give it a go this season, but a couple of players weren’t going to be available for training or matches. Due to the combination of these factors we are taking a break this year.”
Little maintenance has been carried out in the last few years on the clubhouse as the club was hoping to benefit from new facilities in the upgrade of the Douglas Bader Memorial Garden. Plans to turn the garden into a world-class attraction included the creation of new sports facilities the club hoped to use, but they fell through in 2008 when lottery funding was refused.
Two years ago the club teamed up with Fife Curling Trust, which wants to create a £1 million curling rink in Cupar. It is intended the sports facility will have a cricket pavilion.
However, Mr Anderson said he did not expect that to materialise any time soon.
The future of the clubhouse was an ongoing issue, he said.
“We are a small club, we don’t have a great deal of finance, and we need to have a look at various options to see how we go forward.
“Quite a lot of work is needed to the plumbing in the clubhouse, and we haven’t even got to the point of getting a valuation.”
It is hoped the club will be able to take part in a handful of friendly fixtures this season and that it will be back in play next year.