Dickie Bird backs move by Yorkshire

10 October 1996


LEEDS, England, Wednesday - Veteran umpire Dickie Bird has given his support to Yorkshire's decision to leave Headingley for a new 50 million pound complex near Wakefield.

Bird, who retired this summer as a Test umpire, told BBC TV: ``You have to live with the times and I think it's a good thing. I have seen the plans and they are magnificent.''

He could not resist recalling fond memories as a spectator, young player and umpire, saying: ``It's a sad day. Headingley is the venue of legends. It is steeped in history and tradition.

``I remember seeing Ray Lindwall bowl in a Test match in 1948. He took Len Hutton's wicket in the first over of the morning. And I'll never forget walking through the gates as a young player at the age of 16.

``The first Test I umpired was at Headingley between England and New Zealand in 1973. The gates were closed as I arrived very early, so I climbed over the wall and sat in the stands until it was time to get ready.

One of the main reasons for Yorkshire's departure after 105 years at their Headingley headquarters to a 25,000-capacity all-seater stadium by the year 2000 is to preserve their Test ground status.


Source: The Daily News

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Date-stamped : 25 Feb1998 - 18:31