A CRISIS meeting was held on Monday to determine the future of Ely Cricket Club. Fears were rife that the club, which celebrated its 150th anniversary last year, may fold due to a lack of regular players and people willing to help behind the scenes. But

A CRISIS meeting was held on Monday to determine the future of Ely Cricket Club.

Fears were rife that the club, which celebrated its 150th anniversary last year, may fold due to a lack of regular players and people willing to help behind the scenes.

But club president Brian Leonard, who has played for Ely for 53 years, remains positive.

He said: "It was a very good meeting, we've filled some positions, and I left feeling confident about the future."

Rob Hammerton has replaced Mark Abbott as the first team captain and Bruce King and Steve Jackson will take on the roles as secretary and chairman.

Ely merged with Haddenham Cricket Club nine years ago because of similar problems.

The club now has two senior teams, with the first team playing in the CCA Senior Division Two and the second team in the CCA Junior Division Three North A.

There are also three junior teams and a Sunday side.

Leonard said: "We still play a decent standard of cricket. The problem is we need 28 to 30 senior players that can commit every week and people have other commitments. This is completely understandable, but it's not like it was 40 years ago."

He added: "We still have a flourishing youth policy; the under-11s are doing really well.

"Things looked quite desperate for a while and it would be an absolute disaster if the club were to fold. But as long as I'm around I won't let that happen. I'd fill every position in the club myself if I had to."

n Anyone interested in playing for Ely Cricket Club, should contact Mr Leonard on 01353 662831 or 01353 01353 662615.