THE future of Sheerness East Cricket Club could become clearer at a special meeting next Tuesday.

With the support of many of the working men's club members, the cricket section has forced the committee to hold the meeting so opinions can be heard.

The decision by the WMC committee to go against the 80-year rule to allow the cricket team to use the club's facilities has been described as a backwards step. It is a claim the committee refute, insisting they want to widen the football pitches to accommodate another senior football team to raise more revenue.

Cricket club secretary, Daryll Philo, is urging all eligible club members to attend Tuesday's meeting wherever their sympathies lie. He said: "I hope that as many members come along to express their opinions as possible, not only on the future of the cricket team but the club as a whole.

"There are five motions altogether, and they are not all cricket-related. In fact, the first motion concerns the exclusive use of the field by footballers. In my opinion, as much as I love football, this is a retrograde step.

"The club exists for all of its members and many of them have interests in social activities, both indoor and outdoor. If the football section have sole use of the field ordinary members will be denied access to which they are entitled."

Mr Philo also warned against apathy and rumours. He continued: "The club is not in dire financial straits. It does not need to make extra profits from football. That is not its remit.

"If members want the club to remain a friendly place, where they can take their families at the weekend they must desert their armchairs next Tuesday and come and have their say. Who knows, it might be a profitable evening for the club?"

The members only meeting at the WMC in Halfway Road begins at 8pm.