Packington Cricket Club will make Western Park their new home after being told they can no longer use Ashby School after three decades of playing there.

Representatives of the club put their case to Ashby de la Touch Town Council's Parks & Recreation Committee on Monday evening.

They explained the club - whose records go back to 1861 - had been playing home matches at playing field at the bottom of Range Road, where they have played since the mid-1990s.

But the club say they have now been told that agreement will end this October as the school wants to install a 3G football pitch on the land being used by the cricket club.

Last year, Packington were asked if they would move location, adding they would help them find a new ground and fund equivalent facilities.

The club had no objections and say they had several constructive meetings with the school.

But in June last year, the club says they were told that the Football Foundation would not look to support a 3G pitch project at Ashby School until either the footpath was re-directed or Packington Cricket Club re-located.

The letter to the council adds that it became clear that any funding to support that re-location could not negatively impact on the partner funding available to support a pitch project at Ashby School.

Photo: Supplied by Ashby School

In October, the club say they were informed by the school that their letting agreement with them would be terminated effective from October, 2024 so that they could mark out three 11-a-side football pitches which would leave no room for the cricket square. 

The letter adds: "We met with the school in November, when we suggested various alternative layouts for the field which would allow for cricket and football to exist alongside each other. 

"A response from the school in December made it very clear that none of these perfectly viable options would be entertained, and the termination of our agreement would be in October.

"The club formally expressed its disappointment in the school's inflexibility and unwillingness to compromise and work with us."

Councillors heard that the club now plans to move to Western Park, but that it would take one or two years to bring the surface up to league standard.

In the meantime, the club is exploring the possibility of ground-sharing in Woodville for one or two years while Western Park is being prepared.

The club told the committee: "Assuming that the current layout of the existing football pitches could be rearranged to avoid football being played on the wicket, then we would like to start work on developing the square in the spring of 2025 with a view to begin playing there in either 2026 or 2027. 

"This timeline will be dependent on the condition of the wicket when work begins. We have visited the Park to inspect the old wicket. It is encouraging to note that the outline of the old square is still visible even though there is a football pitch running across it.

"We are hoping to secure a short-term agreement to share a ground at Woodville for seasons 2025 and if necessary 2026. This will hopefully enable the Club to continue playing in the interim."

Ashby Nub News has contacted Ashby School for further comment.