Lancashire consider move as age takes toll on Old Trafford

Reaction mixed after Red Rose county consider relocation as upkeep of world-famous Test ground proves untenable

Lancashire admitted yesterday that the possibility of moving to the east side of Manchester, near the Commonwealth Games stadium now used by Manchester City FC, is under discussion.

The project first came about when the Lancashire chief executive, Jim Cumbes, stumbled across the possibility in a casual conversation with Howard Bernstein, his counterpart on Manchester City Council. Concerned at the amount of renovation required at Old Trafford, Cumbes met with a positive response when the pair discussed the idea of relocation.

It is hoped that funding will be found by the council, who have worked on the regeneration of the east side of the city since being handed the Commonwealth Games last year. The proposed site would be housed close to the velodrome, tennis centre and national squash centre.

The furore at the prospect of losing one of cricket's most traditional fields is likely to be greater outside Manchester. After all, cricket has been played here since 1857, with the ground staging a Test match before one was even played at Lord's.

Australians, especially, will be staggered at the news. It was one of Don Bradman's favourite grounds, because of the light, and it was here, in 1956, that Jim Laker took 19 wickets in one of the most memorable routs of Australia by England. This year the local council agreed to rename Warwick Road, which leads down one side from the Metro station, "Brian Statham Way" in memory of Lancashire's greatest fast bowler.

So why should such iconoclasm even be mooted? Money. Lancashire, like all provincial county clubs, are fighting to stay afloat. Although, like all counties staging Test matches, they receive a greater proportion than the non-Test counties of the ECB's handout of ground revenue and television income, they are finding the upkeep of a Test ground beyond their resources. There are many reasons for this, not least ever-rising wages.

Lancashire, like most football clubs outside the Premiership, cannot raise enough money from their own resources to maintain Old Trafford. As Cumbes put it: "We could spend £10m on the ground and you wouldn't notice, that's how far we have fallen behind in maintenance. We have to look at any idea that might increase income.

"It might be that this move does not actually suit and we remain at Old Trafford, but if the sums stack up and everything else supports it then this could be a wonderful opportunity.

"Given a fair wind and everything falling into place after consultation, we might be looking at moving within two-and-a-half years and that would put us somewhere near the 2006 season. We wouldn't want a completely modern piece of concrete with no soul to it but neither do we want to be left with a ground that needs the renovation ours does."

Lancashire have been more adventurous than most clubs in trying to generate revenue. Old Trafford has staged pop concerts but it is situated in a residential area and many citizens do not take kindly to rock music late at night. Lancashire also collect around £30,000 a year by opening up their car parks for fans visiting Manchester United. They press hard to attract custom to their banqueting suites and in the last five years have opened a hotel on the ground.

So what would a new stadium offer? For a start, an increase in capacity. Old Trafford holds only a few more than 20,000, while the new ground would accommodate 30,000 seats. Better communications would be another improvement. Although Old Trafford is only a couple of miles from the M60, the approach is along one suburban road, or through the city centre for cars; it does have its own tramway station but parking capacity is limited.

Eastlands, Manchester City's new home, is also on the M60 and the whole "sports city" complex there has space for development. What is uncertain is how any move would be financed. When Manchester City left Maine Road for the Games stadium their old site became the property of the Manchester Corporation for redevelopment. It is understood that this Manchester Corporation offer is made possible from funds available for regeneration of the area, meaning that Lancashire could collect the proceeds and move to a new purpose-built stadium for free, pocketing the profit.

Reaction in Lancashire is predictably split. "I expected a mass of phone calls and e-mails from angry members but most of the messages have been enquiries rather than protests," Fiona Ossoway, Lancashire's media manager, said.

Age was a factor. One member - like most, retired - offered: "It's a bloody good idea for the future but I can't see me leaving the seats I've sat in for 30 years to hike over to somewhere on the east side. Where is that anyway? Is it Oldham?"

Younger voices, who admit they only go to Old Trafford for one-day games, were more enthusiastic. One, a City supporter, said: "I go there anyway. I know where it is."