Summerleaze owner refuses to comment on North Maidenhead Cricket Club tenure dispute

Peter Prior, the owner of Summerleaze Ltd, has refused to comment on a dispute that has seen North Maidenhead Cricket Club resign its place in the Thames Valley Cricket League this summer.

It’s a complex situation, but the club has been forced to withdraw from the competition it has played in for many years due to a dispute over the tenure of their ground at Summerleaze Road with their landlord Mr Prior.

The cricket club had hoped to resolve the matter with Mr Prior but so far they have been unable to do so and as such the club, and its teams, won’t be playing any matches at Summerleaze Road for the foreseeable future. Players are now looking for other clubs with which to play their cricket.

The Thames Valley League had been waiting on the dispute to be resolved before publishing its divisional structure and fixtures for the 2021 season, which it has now done. The league is due to hold its AGM over Zoom on February 25, where potential rule changes will be discussed.

When questioned on his reasons for preventing North Maidenhead from using the cricket facilities at Summerleaze Road, Mr Prior told the Advertiser: “I think it’s best to say nothing. I can’t see any reason to say anything.”

When asked if he was disappointed about how things have played out in recent months, or whether there was any chance of a reconciliation with the club, he added: “It’s closed. The board have made their decision, yes, and I was obviously influential in that decision.

“I think it’s the right decision to take, but I haven’t got any comment.”