Thanks to the generosity of Club President Harold ‘Dickie’ Bird OBE, who will fund the project out of his own pocket, a players’ balcony is to be built in front of the dressing rooms in the Carnegie Pavilion at Headingley.
After recently announcing the installation of permanent floodlights, further development of the stadium complex will continue in the build up to the 2015 season thanks to the former player, umpire and now club dignatory.
Work on the scheme is to start in the next couple of weeks with the players’ using the balcony for the first time at the LV= County Championship match against Warwickshire on April 26.
Dickie Bird has been nominated by the Club’s Board to stand for a second term as Club President at the Annual General Meeting later this month, believes the new balcony will be a major addition to the facilities at Headingley.
“These lads have given me so much pleasure over the past 12 months with their magnificent performances in the Championship and I wanted to reward them for their efforts,” said 81-year-old Bird. “I want to invest in the team and give something back.
“When Martyn (Moxon, Director of Cricket) and Mark (Arthur, Chief Executive) said that the players need to have their own external balcony, located directly behind the bowler’s arm, I had no hesitation in making it happen,” he continued. “They will benefit from being outside watching the cricket rather than being behind glass in the current viewing area. It will also enhance the Carnegie Pavilion and create a focal point at that side of the ground.
“I’m looking forward to seeing the project come to fruition and being around to unveil it to the players in the next couple of months. These are very exciting times for Yorkshire cricket and the Club as a whole.”
Yorkshire’s Director of Cricket Martyn Moxon is indebted to Bird’s kind-heartedness and considers the facility will be hugely beneficial to the team this summer.
“I can’t thank Dickie enough for his efforts in funding a new balcony for the team,” he said. “The players’ are delighted and it will add to their comfort in preparation for performing on the field. Our current viewing gallery can get a little claustrophobic, particularly on warm days. Sitting outdoors will mean players’ get plenty of fresh air and adapt to the natural light.
“When I told the team it was happening they were very pleased and, even more so, that Dickie is funding the project. He is well respected in the dressing room and the fact he never misses a game is testament to his passion and love for Yorkshire Cricket.”
The balcony will be built above the sightscreen at the Kirkstall Lane end of the ground directly behind the bowlers arm offering an impeccable vantage point of the playing area.
James Buttler
As the editor of World Cricket Badger he is intent on building the website to give quality coverage of the domestic game around the world.
He is also the presenter of the Cricket Badger Radio Show on Radio Yorkshire every Tuesday evening between 7-9pm UK time.
James was the full-time Media Manager at Yorkshire County Cricket Club between 2007 and 2010.
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