THE future of Chorley Cricket Club will be decided on Friday when members meet to vote on whether to approve a sell-off of its historic Windsor Park ground.

The Emergency General Meeting is being held to give all the full members, numbering in excess of 300, the chance to vote on whether the club should sell the land to property developers.

The cash-strapped Northern Premier League outfit revealed in November that it was in financial trouble and secret talks had already taken place with house builders.

Club chairman Norman Poole admitted at time the club needed to sell the ground to give it a more sound financial base.

Members are expected to fiercely oppose a move, however, and there is speculation among supporters that the club's committee may resign if the proposal is rejected.

They were only notified about the proposal by letter just three weeks ago which did not provide details about the exact nature of the vote with regards to whether a simple majority is needed for the proposal to be passed.

One supporter said: "To be honest I would be extremely shocked if the members supported a move. I've spoken to lots of them and not one has said they wanted to move, even though we need the money.

"And it wouldn't surprise me if the board resigned if the vote doesn't go their way."

It is understood more plans of the new proposed ground will be given to members at the meeting.

Little is known about the group who have been advising the committee about the proposed sell-off and they have maintained a low profile since the move was first mooted.

Committee members were also not available for comment despite numerous attempts by The Citizen to contact them.

The club has been based at Windsor Park, off Sandringham Road, since 1905 and has been the most successful club team in the country for more than a decade.

But the team could raise between £600,000 and £700,000 if it uproots to a new site earmarked at Euxton Lane.

Chorley CC are no strangers to success. The club went to Lords three years running in the 1990s for the final of the National Knockout competition - winning twice.

The members-only meeting is at the cricket club on Friday starting at 8.30pm.