THE chairman of Radcliffe Cricket Club has dismissed speculation that the Racecourse ground is to be sold.

However, an extraordinary general meeting is to be held on Monday (June 25) to discuss the long-term interests of the 109-year-old club.

A letter published in last week's Radcliffe Times suggested there were "hush hush" negotiations being held to sell the ground to a builder and relocate to another site, possibly the athletics track at the side of Cams Lane.

The writer called on the club to make a statement on the rumours.

Club chairman Mr David Halliwell this week said: "There are no plans to sell the land."

Monday's meeting, which is due to begin at 8pm, is open to all members and will be held at the Unsworth Street base.

Honorary secretary, Mr Cliff Hall, said: "There is no secrecy about this. Members have a right to know what is going on and the management committee, which has been considering the long term interests of the club, has a duty to tell them."

Mr Hall added: "The club has been in debt for some time, but we can cope with it. We are not in danger of being financially embarrassed and we certainly aren't in a position where we could be forced to sell the land to raise money."

Unsworth Cricket Club, Radcliffe's Central Lancashire League rivals, recently sold its ground to Belway Homes in exchange for a new ground and pavilion at nearby Pole Lane, which is currently near completion.