Hopes for Scarborough to host future Yorkshire County Cricket matches
A hotel owner says he's hoping the town will continue to host Yorkshire matches next year
A Scarborough hotel owner says he is hoping the town will host Yorkshire County Cricket matches next year.
We have been telling you about the allegations of racism from former player Azeem Rafiq and criticism over the way the claims were handled by the club.
Scarborough Cricket Club's ground on North Marine Road has played host to a number of matches from the Yorkshire side.
Tony Bates, who runs Hotel Ellenby, said:
"It's been our first season and we were warmed I think of what happens when the cricket's on that things get very busy and it's certainly true. As soon as a fixture is announced the phone is hot and we fill up and we turn lots of people away.
"The atmosphere I think for us and the town changes when cricket's in town. It's a great thing and it really is beautiful. We're blessed to have Scarborough Cricket Club as it's very unusual and it's odd the fact we have these county matches played at little old Scarborough but it's a tradition that's gone on and on.
"Many things affect us and cricket is on top of the list of things that brings us customers but we've got the Open Air Theatre and next year we have the national Armed Forces event. All of those things matter but cricket is at the top of the list and who knows whether they'll be hosting those matches, we just don't know and it really is worrying.
"I personally believe it'll blow over and I'd love to think we'll have county cricket back again staged in Scarborough next year and if we do, certainly the fans are incredibly dedicated and nothing would stop them coming. I mean if those matches are on next year they will be on the phone and they will turn up.
"I think it's incredible that we do have county cricket in Scarborough and the fact that Scarborough Cricket Club still had a very bad year, they announced that with their CEO going, the season started late and they couldn't have capacity crowds, so let's hope that Yorkshire gets back on track and more importantly for us that Scarborough gets back on track."