BURTON Salmon Cricket Club have withdrawn from the HPH York Vale League because of a lack of players.

Burton Salmon, the most southerly in the Vale League’s catchment area, have been members of the competition for 22 years.

In 2011 arsonists destroyed the club’s changing rooms and equipment at its Burton Common Lane ground, but a huge fundraising effort from the club saw it rise from the ashes and complete the season.

However, in the last couple of years player numbers have dropped off to the point where it can no longer carry on.

Club secretary Colin Walsh told the league: “It is with regret that I have to inform you that a special meeting of Burton Salmon CC decided that we would be unable to fulfil our fixtures this season due to player shortages and therefore we will have to withdraw from the York Vale Cricket League.”

The division three side were due to entertain Thorpe Willoughby in the preliminary round of the Scothern Construction Cup on Saturday.

Before their emergency meeting, Walsh had said: “In order for us to continue to fulfil our fixtures we need to recruit a minimum of three regulars who can play most weeks.

"I must admit there is a lot of gloom surrounding the club’s future at this time as previous attempts to recruit have been fruitless.

“The club is in a good position both financially and in terms of ground, equipment and facilities. Our only problem is personnel. It would be a shame if this meant the demise of our club.”