HEMINGBROUGH Cricket Club are taking legal advice as to whether racism was a factor behind their failure to gain re-election to Hunters York and District Senior League.

The village's first team had hoped to clinch a third successive promotion last season and reach the premier division before they were docked 60 points for administrative offences, including matters relating to two overseas players' registrations.

The second team also won the division six title but will be unable to build on that success after the league's annual general meeting saw clubs vote 48-12 against Hemingbrough's re-election into a league they joined only two years ago.

Club officials feel victimised by that decision, despite admitting certain mistakes, and are considering whether it could have been based on some form of "racially-motivated jealousy". The team has several British Asian players.

But a statement from the league reiterated that Hemingbrough were required to seek re-election because of offences related to management and administration of the club and that their fate was then decided by a secret ballot.

The statement from the club read: "We feel that there has been a concerted and orchestrated campaign to ensure our demise from the beginning of our membership of the league. The club accepts that there have been some misdemeanours but that these were in no measure worse than any other club."

The statement added that the club are considering whether the decision might have been made "as a result of jealousy of our success or, worse, by some racially-motivated jealousy".

It also pointed out that: "This (York) is an area where there is little evidence of an ethnic minority and we are trying to promote cohesion and break down racial barriers in line with ECB policies. We are at present seeking legal advice regarding the issue of racism with a view to seeking a judicial review."

The statement admits unacceptable behaviour by two players towards an umpire in 2003 but points out that one man never played for the club again and the other has since emigrated.

It also accepts that, this year, a club official "unfortunately tried to circumvent the (overseas registration) system and was found wanting" and added: "The club accepted they were in the wrong and did not appeal against the punishment. We did not believe this would lead to the removal of the club from the league and at no point was either player banned, with both having very successful seasons."

As well as losing 60 points, Hemingbrough were fined £250 and deducted 250 merit points last season.

Having fallen under the minimum acceptable rating in the merit table, the club were required to seek re-election along with Cawood, Civil Service and Hovingham, who all gained overwhelming support for their applications.

The statement went on to thank the clubs who had supported Hemingbrough's bid for re-election and also cited the second team's removal from the league, having incurred no disciplinary points, as unfair.

Hemingbrough are now making overtures to other leagues for the 2006 season and the statement concluded: "Hemingbrough is a developing club with a thriving junior section and our main aim is to play the game 'in the spirit of cricket'."

Hunters York and District Senior Cricket League has insisted that the decision not to re-elect Hemingbrough was based solely on disciplinary procedures.

A league spokesman said: "The charges made against the Hemingbrough club and the subsequent penalties imposed were all in accordance with the League's disciplinary procedures and schedule of penalties issued to all clubs prior to the season.

"These indicate that a club's disciplinary record has an effect on the Merit Table and could lead to the need to seek re-election.

"All the offences related to the management and administration of the club as a whole rather than to one particular team and were mostly admitted by the club at the disciplinary hearing in mid-season.

"The club was made fully aware of their right of appeal to an Independent Appeals Committee in respect of either the verdicts or level of penalties and that any changes as a result of an appeal would be reflected in the Merit Table.

"The club did not lodge any appeal whatsoever and, in paying their fine promptly, appeared to have accepted the action taken by the League's Disciplinary Committee.

"No charge was made against any of the club's players who remain eligible to play within the league within the restraints of rule changes made at the annual general meeting in November.

"As in previous years, member clubs were advised of both the circumstances relating to, and previous history of, clubs seeking re-election in advance of the AGM so that their delegates could be mandated by their club committees.

"The issue of whether a club is re-elected or not is decided by a simple majority in a secret ballot."

YORK and District Senior Cricket League sponsors Hunters the estate agent have strongly denied claims from Hemingbrough that their failure to gain re-election could have been due to "racially-motivated jealousy".

Hunters director Kevin Hollinrake remains delighted by his company's association with the league and points out that a number of overseas players from all parts of the world have been embraced by the district of York.

He said: "I'm fully aware of the allegations against Hemingbrough and none of them were racially-motivated. I think the fact that they were not re-elected has more to do with being found guilty of bad sportsmanship and a refusal to comply with the rules of the league and the way in which the game should be played.

"The league has an excellent record for attracting overseas players from all over the world and there's never been a racism problem as far as I know."

Updated: 10:22 Saturday, November 26, 2005