CRICKET fans at the ground which gave us Geoff Boycott, Dickie Bird, Darren Gough and Michael Parkinson are celebrating 150-years not out - with a £500,000 makeover. WATCH VIDEO.
Click on the green play button to see the videoIt is hoped the major improvements – to be completed against the clock this weekend - could finally entice county cricket back to the region.
Scores of fans, players, family and friends are being urged to join tradesmen for the ambitious final three day push starting today at Shaw Lane, in Barnsley.
The biggest ever NatWest Cricket Force project, backing grants to fund cricket ground improvements nationwide, will result in a new electronic wireless scoreboard, changing rooms, groundsman's yard, an extra 50-space car park, tea room, office, viewing balcony and, brought in from Headingley, dozes of new spectator seats. A new pavilion was craned into place to start the work last summer.
Shaw Lane, where cricket began in 1859, is the home of Barnsley Cricket Club – which celebrates its own 150th anniversary in three years time.
Vice Presidents are old boys Parkinson, Bird and Boycott, who has agreed to return to open the new pavilion and facilities with a dinner next month. The club has produced many England and Yorkshire stars including Darren Gough, Martyn Moxon, Arnie Sidebottom, Graham Stevenson, Steve Oldham and county new boy Azeem Rafiq.
Now it is hoped the improvements will give even more local youngsters a chance to follow in their famous footsteps.
Fans hope the upgrade will also encourage county cricket back to the ground where, following the loss of cricket at Bramall Lane, Yorkshire first team played one day matches in the 1970s.
Trelford Mills, Vice Chairman, said: "Obviously cricket fans here would like to see Yorkshire return at Shaw Lane. These improvements can only help our hopes for that to happen sometime in the future. But it's about making this a superb facility for all our teams and spectators."
Darren Hayes, player and committee man, said: "Lots of big names started here, but just think what today's young cricketers will be capable of, having all this."
David Clayton, the club's Development Manager, said there had been some sentiment over the demolition of the ground's iconic old scoreboard building but it was in an unsafe state of disrepair. He said: "We've a big job ahead of us this weekend – it's like TV's Changing Rooms, against the clock. But we're planning to open champagne to celebrate completing it on Sunday evening."
For more details and how you can get involved visit
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