Handsworth Cricket clubs in row over drink licence
The council’s parks committee said there had never been a formal agreement between themselves or the clubs that play on the park but that was being negotiated and would change very soon.
The committee heard that HCC helped maintain the facility, was a key holder and was the bigger club with four junior teams and four senior teams, including one in the Premier Division first XI of the Warwickshire League, and a ladies team.
The Cavaliers play only a handful of community and exhibition matches on Sundays.
Chairman of the Cavaliers, Sted Wallen, argued that his club should have equal access to the facilities and the right to serve alcohol.
Chairman of HCC, Basil Hylton, also spoke during the hearing.
He said: “The disagreements you are seeing here today are not just about the alcohol licence. There is a historical conflict between the two clubs and introducing a second licence will bring a new and unavoidable source of conflict.”
After the result Mr Wallen said: “We are very pleased. This has been a long time coming.”
Mr Hylton added: “I am disappointed with the decision. The conflict is not going to resolve itself but we look forward to working with the council. We hope this will be the spur for them to resolve the real and crucial issues in the park.”
