Northants County Cricket Club denies claim it is set to sell its ground and move to Sixfields

Northants County Cricket Club has ‘no plans’ to relocate from its current site in Wantage Road, a spokesman has said.
Northamptonshire County GroundNorthamptonshire County Ground
Northamptonshire County Ground

The club has released a statement this morning in response to an article published by George Dobell on the Cricinfo website which suggested the club were considering selling their ground and moving to a site in Sixfields.

The Cricinfo article also alleged that the club had asked for emergency financial help from the ECB and was considering letting a number of high-profile players go at the end of the season including England player David Willey.

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But the club said no decisions about any player contracts or movement had been made.

The club statement read: “Last year’s figures have been well reported. Since that time things have changed significantly at the club including new board members and personnel and we have a comprehensive commercial plan in place to address the historic losses.

“These plans involve utilising the facilities of the County Ground for both cricket and non cricket events. Significant inroads have been made during 2015 introducing the ground as a venue of choice for Northamptonshire businesses.

“We have involved the ECB in all of our plans and like all First Class Counties we are exploring what support is available from the ECB, the ECB are aware of all of our plans and the current situation.”

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The statement revealed the club had agreed with the ECB to undergo a financial review earlier in the year in order to gain clarity of its financial situation so as to support the business plan in reversing the losses.

The statement read: “There has been substantial investment in the ground and its facilities and it remains the intention of the board that following the capital investment in the club, it fully maximises the potential of its meeting and events space.

“As far as players are concerned, there are no decisions around any player contract or movement as we are still mid-way through the season.

“Heavy investment has been made in the facilities over the past few years, making the ground fit for purpose in the long term, attracting non cricket events as well as providing a venue for first class county cricket, and we intend to realise that benefit.

“There are no plans to relocate the club. Its future remains at Wantage Road.”