THE marked thaw in what for years has been an icy relationship between Yorkshire and their Headingley landlords, Leeds CFAC, has resulted in the two parties arranging a Press conference at the Test venue tomorrow.

Although details are being kept under wraps, joint plans may be revealed and there could even be confirmation that Leeds CFAC chairman Paul Caddick has agreed in principle to Yorkshire buying the cricket ground at some future stage.

Officials from both clubs will be present, including Caddick and Yorkshire's chief executive Colin Graves who told members at Saturday's extraordinary general meeting that he had held regular meetings with Caddick and they were working closely together to bring about the things which Yorkshire required.

Graves said he had a long term plan for the ground and it was his intention to turn it into the Lord's of the North.

Under the old Yorkshire committee structure, relations with Caddick were soured when he insisted on holding them to their lease when they wanted to up sticks and move to purpose built headquarters at Durkar in Wakefield.

Countless hours of talks brought agreement over the £11million redevelopment which Yorkshire are currently undertaking at Headingley and the intention was that once the work had been completed Yorkshire would sign a 999-year lease in place of the existing 99-year one.

But since becoming chief executive of Yorkshire's four-man management board in the summer, Graves has had it in his mind for Yorkshire to one day purchase Headingley and Caddick may now find such a proposition acceptable.

Towards the end of last season, Yorkshire and Leeds CFAC agreed to share new shop facilities at Headingley and it has just been announced that next month they will jointly use a ticket office.

Updated: 11:42 Wednesday, December 11, 2002