News RSS Feed


Want to share your opinion, leave a tribute or comment on a news story? It's easy!

You can register for free here and comment on any of our stories.

Your news, Your views.

Rowdy revellers destroying image of cricket

3:53pm Wednesday 7th May 2008

comment Comments (32)   Have your say »


I HAVE lived on Dane Road in Sale for many years, and over the last few months I have become increasingly concerned at the level of rowdy behaviour taking place at Sale cricket club. During the weekends that the cricket team play at home, the members bar and general area seem to be full of foul-mouthed, lager swilling louts who are making local residents life a misery.

This chain of events came to a head on the last May bank holiday when amidst another rowdy team celebration at the club, several members of the drunken cricket team vandalised the electrics box on the sports field behind our family home. In an attempt to gain access to the switch for the flood lights used by the Spartans rugby team, I watched as at least three hooded figures smashed the front of the box off, and then decided it would be funny to light up near enough the whole of Dane Road.

As you can imagine, me and my wife had a fitful night's sleep as our bedroom was lit up at least four times by the flood lights with their full beam on. I had to go out onto the field to turn them off at least three times before midnight, but the same drunken revellers returned and woke half of the street up again at 4am by once again turning on the switch at the electrics box. The club received several phone calls during these incidents.

I know Sale Cricket Club has a distinguished history, and our family have often watched cricket being played there, however this new age of members seem to be hell bent on tarnishing the club's good name with their uncontrolled binge drinking. As cricket's popularity is on the increase, I do hope that the sport doesn't follow the example set by football in attracting yobs. The sport has always been a gentleman's game in my eyes, and I do hope that Sale CC will impose bans on those who cause further annoyance - or at the very least make an effort to vet those they allow to use the club facilities. As at this moment in time Sale cricket club is in danger of making an enemy of the local community it is supposed to serve.

Barry Trainer - Dane Road.

Print article » Email to a friend »

Your Say YourTrafford

Paul Ball, Sale says...
4:53pm Wed 7 May 08

I must agree with Barrys comments about the loutish behavier of some people involved within the club, i have on serveral saturday night heard them walking (shouting) down Broad Road , assuming they must be on there way to cause even more havoc in Sale Centre, disgrace

Report this post »

Waldo, Sale says...
10:31am Fri 9 May 08

We always know when it's summer time again because the 'loutish' behaviour comes back to Sale Cricket Club in its various forms. Noise nuisance seems to be a fact of life now and in moderation we all tolerate it to a certain degree. As Barry points out the nuisance extends to vandalism of our local amenities, and smashed glass on the pavement on Clarendon and frequently into Priory Woods. Perhaps those who run the bar should consider plastic drinking glasses, and curbing any drinking of alcohol outside the confines of the bar? That would at least be a start and would show a little more consideration to local residents than is currently the case.

Report this post »

w keeper, sale says...
11:10am Fri 9 May 08

i also live near the cricket club and i must admit it is usually a very quite area, but the past couple of weeks seems like a youth club has opened up across the road. i just dont understand it. i use to love going to watch the games but i have recently been put off. for example as i looked out of my window on saturday evening i saw a naked youth darting across the field, i mean is this cricket?? i dont think so

Report this post »

Mr B Keeper, Sale says...
12:25pm Fri 9 May 08

I have to agree with my dads comments about the unruly behavier that occured on Saturday, my children occasionaly stay at his house and enjoy going to watch the games with him, but after last weeks antics and especially the streaking or 'male bonding' i think my children will go watch a family club like Sale Moor. disgusted sale resident

Report this post »

Mr B Keeper, Sale says...
12:25pm Fri 9 May 08

I have to agree with my dads comments about the unruly behavier that occured on Saturday, my children occasionaly stay at his house and enjoy going to watch the games with him, but after last weeks antics and especially the streaking or 'male bonding' i think my children will go watch a family club like Sale Moor. disgusted sale resident

Report this post »

Frederick Hartley-Jones, sale says...
1:28pm Sat 10 May 08

Whilst i do share the views of the above there do appear to be some unfair tarnishings of the game of cricket. Yes the nakedness and the yobs drinking at the cricket club needs to be addressed but the vandalism over the recent months may not just be contributed to simply cricket spectators. Correct me if im wrong but the season is in its 3rd week? There are other sports played here so the blame needs to shared evenly.

Report this post »

D Bird, Sale says...
1:35pm Sat 10 May 08

I must strongly argue against the comments that have been made. I consider it to be an extremely inaccurate portrayal of Sale Cricket Club. I live close to the ground and have been going there for more years than I care to mention. The cricket is of a good standard and the spectators who sometimes can be a little over the top are only enjoying the game in high spirits and have good banter. In the evening it is respectable and the neighbours are never disturbed as for people running naked this is a load of rubbish. I feel these kiljoys are trying to create trouble for the club, I don't know why as the club welcomes everyone, maybe they can't play cricket and want people to stop enjoying themselves on a summers weekend. I say to them keep quiet you don't have any right to ruin it for other people with your lies.

Report this post »

Jemma, Sale says...
4:18pm Sun 11 May 08

I would love to know where these people are getting this rubbish from! My partner is a member of Sale CC and I go there every weekend during the summer with our two children to watch him play. The cricketers are some of the most respectful people I know, a far cry from the naturist, hooded lager louts they are being protrayed as. I would trust any of the team to care for my children! What is being said is simply libalous! Save for the "youths" who vandalise the local area running around in Sale CC kit, how can these people possible know that they are cricketers? Not only are four sports played at this club, but it also has a fuction room that is hired out almost every weekend! The club itself has aways been respectful of the people who live around it, and as well as making patrons use plastic glasses outside, there are signs all around the place warning you to be respectful of the neighbours! I am amazed that people are so quick to judge purely based on age! Barry Trainer will be lucky not to get solicitors letters delivered to him for defermation of character! His comments are outragiously innacurate!

Report this post »

waldo, sale says...
8:27am Mon 12 May 08

Before we all start threatening legal action which is frankly ridiculous, let's just examine the facts here. It is not the residents of Clarendon or the local area who are causing the nuisance. The cricket club happens to be the venue that is being used by a collection of nutters who can't handle their beer. The residents frequently clear up glass and rubbish from the area in the immediate vicinity of the Club. The Club can help prevent or at least minimise the incidence of transgression by their guests. This IS a regular summer problem, irrespective of who perpetrates it, so let's have some responsibility from the Club, with the only practical suggestion made so far being adopted - plastic glasses please.

Report this post »

Mr Tony Bale, Sale says...
8:57am Mon 12 May 08

I must admit i have to agree with Waldo's comments, the noise does only accur in the summer months, and the 'loutish behavior doesnt always come from the players but the many supporters that go and watch.

Report this post »

tony dorigo, sale says...
10:43am Mon 12 May 08

I can only agree with the comments uttered by Mr D Bird- I feel that standards have slipped somewhat. This used to be a lawful, respectable club with good morals but these value seem to mean for nothing anymore. Anyhow- for the reasons stated below (lager swilling louts, obscene nudity and down right ASBO behavior) I feel that living in a somewhat typical British residence is now not as fruitful as it used to be. My point comes from being awoken by a gentleman dressed in all white last week urinating up my drain pipe and swearing at my dog- this behavior is simply not acceptable and I feel that- and sorry to jump to conclusions- as the gnetleman was dressed in white he came from the cricket club. I just feel standards have slipped. Apologies to all who are the innocents in this debacle.

Report this post »

John Deed, Sale Moor says...
11:25am Mon 12 May 08

I am somewhat taken aback at Jemma saying Barry Trainner may receive solicitors letters for his comments. While I agree they are quite strong he has a right to his opinion as we live in a country of free speach not a communist country. I work for a firm of solicitors and feel Jemma would not get very far with her threats of solicitors letters. Barry must be correct in what he says in most cases as alot of people are agreeing with him. Myself living not far from the cricket ground have never noticed any problems that are suggested.

Report this post »

Ken Boon, Perth, Australia says...
3:30pm Mon 12 May 08

I always like to log on to this site to keep up with the goings on in Sale but are my eyes failing or am i actually reading this. Having moved over here 6 months ago I left Sale as the cricket club being respectable and a family place. All I can say if this is true please sort it out as I am coming back in August for a few weeks and always like to pop down and watch the cricket as i find it enjoyable and a friendly club, but if this is true I will have to go elsewhere. Does Sale Moor still have a cricket team??

Report this post »

Ian Culverhouse, Sale says...
4:26pm Mon 12 May 08

Having read through the many comments on this subject, I feel that Barry's comments are accurate in some respects, yet not in others. Either way, as a resident of the local area - he is quite right to express his opinion. The very fact he actually wrote into the 'letters' section of the paper suggests exactly that. When I last looked in a newspaper, the letters section has - and always will be - full of opinion. Unless the messenger took out a two page spread on the matter,named names within the club and then spashed pictures of these so called 'louts' over it - then any suggestion of libel is quite frankly ridiculuous.

Report this post »

Barry Trainer, Sale says...
4:46pm Mon 12 May 08

After reading the reactions to my letter in last week's messenger, it has come to my attention that I may have offended certain people within the cricket club. However, I am free to declare how I feel, and this should be judged as 'fair comment'. As a reader pointed out, unless I am very much mistaken - Gordon Brown is the prime minister and not Stalin. The messenger was quite within their rights to publish my thoughts. It is up to the club to maybe freshen up their image with a written reply to the letters section. Or what about organising a family bbq to improve the club's image.
However, on a particularly sour note, I have heard several rumours this week about receiving solicitors letters, being sued for deformation of character and now I seem to be the target of much abuse. In fact, whilst I was enjoying an evening meal on Sunday night - I took a phone call from a friend telling me that certain members of the cricket team are planning revenge. Quoting from my source, one particular cricket team member has said: "He doesn't seem to understand the consequences, as there will be plenty". So rather than react in the right manner I am now being threatened by these louts. The arrogance is quite unbelievable from some of these men. Incidentally, I have also been warned not to go drinking near the Lively Lobster pub, as one of their more militant members lives close by and is out to get me.
So I implore the club to accept my apologies for blaming those who act in a respectable manner. The others should just stop trying to get revenge on an old man and at least try and play some cricket. It's about time you actually got off your backsides and out of division two.

Report this post »

waldo, Sale Water Park in the Sunshine says...
11:09pm Mon 12 May 08

In defence of Barry Trainor who I have never met but fully empathise with, if he is having to endure both legal and physical threats from sub-humanoids who purport to in some way represent Sale Cricket Club, then this is a sad day indeed. It just reaffirms what I said in an earlier post about people not being able to take their beer (or fancy coloured alcopops). Grow up and restore some dignity to the area...and if you don't live here, then don't inflict yourselves on us please.

Report this post »

Duncan Reed, Sale says...
11:26pm Mon 12 May 08

There is definitely a problem in the summer months. I cant say WHO is responsible but the evidence points to the pub in the cricket club. There is consistently smashed glass on the pavement surrounding the entrance and along clarendon and dane road. Last year my dog sliced his foot open on some so i should know. I, along with my parents complained to the council about it then but nothing has been done. I sympathise with Barry Trainor - I severely doubt he will be making it up as some replies have implied.

Whatever reputation the club has, it also has a responsibility to ensure that the patrons of its clubhouse arent causing trouble to the local community. Hopefully the publicity this causes will shock them into action.

Im not blaming anyone in particular, as you cant control the actions of drunk idiots but the responsibility lies with the club to sort it out.

Report this post »

b woolmer, sale says...
7:56am Tue 13 May 08

i cant believe this later from a mr trainor has caused so much debate! i am a regular at sale as i play dominoes there and sometimes watch the cricket. i have never come across any bad or abusive behavour. i think its a propergander towards the club.

Report this post »

Mr F Orr, Sale says...
12:29pm Tue 13 May 08

As a member of the band that uses Sale Sports Club(not just cricket club), i have say that they are a great bunch of lads, they commonly gather on a Thursday night to enjoy a drink to keep the moral going. I have never encountered any issues with this guys. So all i have to say to you KILLJOYS, is leave them alone

Report this post »

Glyn Roberts, President, Sale Sports Club says...
6:57pm Tue 13 May 08

As an official of Sale Sports Club, we have been aggrieved at Mr Trainer’s comments. Whilst we believe he is incorrect in his allegations, he is, of course, perfectly entitled to express them. (Be assured that any suggestion of legal action is pie-in-the-sky as far as the Club is concerned!)

We have frequently suffered vandalism from local youths and that to the rugby training light control box was yet another sad (and costly to us) example. We also have regularly heard groups loudly progressing past the Club at all hours. However, these are NOT Club members and we dissociate ourselves from them completely.

We have never had any behaviour problems from our Cricket, Hockey or Tennis sections and we make a point of asking visitors to the Club also to respect our neighbours – it is not in our interests to alienate anyone.

We provide a huge amount of Junior sport across all the sports Sections (as little is nowadays provided by schools) and regard ourselves as a very family-friendly Club. These are our future life blood and essential to continuing our proud 154 year history.

However, we are investigating all the comments expressed to ensure that there is no possibility of such actions as have been alleged occurring at the Club.

Report this post »

waldo, Sale says...
8:07pm Tue 13 May 08

Thank you to the President of the club for a measured and respectful response. These incidents are not fabricated, and I hope that your investigations will help to curb any behaviour that besmirches the name of the Club. As for the other contributor's KILLJOY allegation, I am happy to be a KILLJOY if people are creating the kind of nuisance that has been reported in these posts. If people learned to handle their ale better, none of these incidents would have happened. Eejit.

Report this post »

duncan reed, Sale says...
12:46am Wed 14 May 08

no,its not. there is a problem. If anything your spreading propaganda as my dogs foot DID get cut as a result of smashed glass outside the entrance to the club.

Im sure the majority are good people but you cant ignore the incidents posted here

Report this post »

disgusted, sale says...
9:05am Thu 15 May 08

in response to champers email, i am disgusted at him for even mentioning peoples names in a local newspaper, as other people have been saying has he actually any proof of this individual writing in, me thinks not, has he any proof of his so called ridiculous mates writing in again me thinks not, and as for the GET A LIFE U INVALIDS comment pot kettle black springs to mind

Report this post »

John Partridge, Sale says...
9:21am Thu 15 May 08

I am writing in to express my disgust at the latest comment by the writer 'Champers'. As quite frankly he must be knocking back the 'Champers' a lot if he feels that these stories have been a figment of a "little boy's" imagination. Having known Barry Trainer for over twenty years, I can honestly say he was just a concerned resident voicing his opinion about the local area. Now we have this ridiculous story that it was made up for 'no apparent' reason.
At the end of the day I think what 'Champers' has to realise is that this has been a small piece of news in the letters section of the local rag. He can either write in and have his say and then forget - but has chosen this ridiculous style of reply by naming names in a bizarre fantasy sub- plot. Quite frankly he is close to a personal libel case against him, not to mention appearing the fool for showing the complete lack of a sense of humour. If, as I suspect, this is a member of the cricket team - then it just shows the arrogance of some of the them in thinking they can write threatening remarks on a noticeboard - akin to writing offensive graffiti on a wall in the playground. A middle class whinger who is still reeling from never making the game professionally.

Report this post »

Rob Moore, Cricket Chairman, Sale CC says...
10:54am Thu 15 May 08

With regard to John Partridge's e-mail I can assure you that "Champers" is not a member of our cricket section, just your bog standard Troll. We asked that all members not get involved in this thread and leave our official response to Glyn Roberts, which is what has happened.

I agree that "Champers" comments are completely out of order. I have reported them as being offensive, which is what I suggest you and "discusted" should have done.

Report this post »

Rob Moore, Cricket Chairman, Sale CC says...
10:55am Thu 15 May 08

With regard to John Partridge's e-mail I can assure you that "Champers" is not a member of our cricket section, just your bog standard Troll. We asked that all members not get involved in this thread and leave our official response to Glyn Roberts, which is what has happened.

I agree that "Champers" comments are completely out of order. I have reported them as being offensive, which is what I suggest you and "discusted" should have done.

Report this post »

Mr B Bethell, sale says...
11:37am Thu 15 May 08

in response to champers e mail i am disgusted in his lack of respect! also i would like to add he is out of order by mentioning INVALIDS! does he know these people? i have a 12year old boy who is infact an invalid because he is in a wheel chair. i just think who ever this champers is, he should of thought what he was writting. Maybe he is a invalid because he can not spell properly.

Report this post »

Katie Galloway, Dane Road, Sale says...
1:40pm Thu 15 May 08

I have been reading the comments placed here over the last few days and have been appalled at the level of criticism placed by both parties.
I myself have a child with learning difficulties and am disgusted with 'Champers'' savage attack on people who are simply giving an opinion as 'invalids'.
Also, I know Barry and have done for years. Why 'Champers' has decided to try and blame another person just shows what a trouble causer this reader is. Maybe it has something to do with diverting the attention from a 67 year old man being abused? Thought you'd try and blame it on someone else did you? Barry can, and will, stand up for himself - but is now scared to come out of his house.
Disgusted.

Report this post »

Anon, Sale says...
2:35pm Thu 15 May 08

An admirable comment from 'Champers'. Sticking up for the club despite usually never getting to bat!

Report this post »

waldo, Sale says...
4:14pm Thu 15 May 08

It strikes me there are two types of commentators, whichever side of the fence you're on: those who are actually in support of good standards of behaviour, and those who are not. Alcohol is not necessarily the problem, but the people who drink it to excess tarnish the reputations of even the best run organisations. As a local resident I am happy with Rob Moore's comments in his capacity as President of the Club. We'll see what the rest of the summer brings, but personal vitriol against any individual should be outlawed from these posts. About time a few of you had your nappies changed.

Report this post »

Mr W Hard, The Moor says...
7:54am Fri 16 May 08

Well chumpers why dont u name ur really name? if ur that big? i think your just one of these little fool trying to stir things up! i really think you should get a life and maybe a job! LOSER

Report this post »

Jim Trainer, Durban, South Africa says...
8:55am Fri 16 May 08

i was horrified to receive a call from my father Barry Trainer last night, saying that he feels intimidated by the low lifes of society that have left him unstandably shaken, all because of one letter stating his dissapointment at being woken by loud noise (abusive language) and some floodlights, i just hope you are happy with youeselves praying on a 67 year old man. Also glad you can sleep at night because i cant knowing my father has to live in fear.I would also like to thank Kate Galloway for looking after him, what has todays world come to.

Report this post »

Your sayYourTrafford

comment Add your comment

Register for a FREE Messenger Newspapers account and you can have your say on today's news and sport by adding comments on articles we publish. The best comments may even get published in the paper.

Please register now or sign in below to continue.




Forgotten your password?

In this section

Essential Links

Sponsored Links



Local Advertisers


Local Information

Enter your postcode, town or place name

House prices »   Schools »   Crime »   Hospitals »