OVINGTON Cricket Club may be forced to play their home games elsewhere because drainage problems have left their ground unplayable, their disgruntled president claims.

Maurice Bell, who doubles up as groundsman at the club which is based at Little Knavesmire, says HPH York Vale League officials will “condemn” their pitch because the outfield is a muddy mess.

Bell claims there is “no way” the club, of which he has been a member for more than half a century, will be able to start their campaign this Saturday – when Ovington’s second team are set to entertain Huntington in a division four clash.

The club rent their ground from City of York Council and Bell has hit out at Guildhall chiefs, saying Ovington have asked the authority repeatedly to deal with the problem over the past few years but have had little success.

The council, however, say they have met with club officials and exchanged correspondence over the drainage problems, while adding they were not made aware of severe issues “resulting in the club possibly having to relocate to play elsewhere”.

Bell told The Press: “We have been battling on and off with this problem for 50 years but it has got worse recently. It’s been like a lake. We have made several inquiries (with the council) on an official basis but every time we ask them they say there’s a meeting planned. They keep fobbing us off.

“Every time it rains the pitch just floods. We need (the council) to fix the drains. They know the drains aren’t working properly. They keep saying they are going to do them but they don’t.

“Our first game is on April 24 and we have not got a chance of starting – not unless they fill and turf it again. Where the water has been, the ground dips and hollows and that’s not good for an outfield.

“It’s just black mud at the moment and we are very frustrated with the situation. It will really affect the season. The league definitely won’t let us play on the pitch at present.

“They come and inspect it and we will have to find somewhere else – hire some other ground. When the races are on we hire the university ground. But that probably costs £60 and we can’t afford that kind of outlay.”

Dave Meigh, head of parks and open spaces at City of York Council, said: “Having met with Alan Fletcher (treasurer) from Ovington Cricket Club in October and exchanged further correspondence in January, when the club supplied detailed maps of where there were areas of draining concern, I wasn’t made aware of any severe drainage issues resulting in the club possibly having to relocate to play elsewhere.

“During this time I agreed to commission CCTV work to see what was happening underground to determine what condition the drains were in.

“This was subject to ground conditions being suitable for machinery to get on to the Little Knavesmire without damaging the ground, which the club was aware of.

“There was also an additional request for sightscreens to be installed to help batsmen see the ball, which is currently being looked into with the council’s planning team.

“The last correspondence I had with the club was when I wrote to Alan Fletcher again last week confirming that we are still working on both projects.

“I would urge club members to contact me on 01904 553386 or dave.meigh@york.gov.uk so we can work together to find a solution to any of these concerns as soon as possible.”