Great Horton Methodist Church Cricket Club

I can't remember how I came across this ground.

I think that it was from spotting a cricket ground on google maps

I was a bit sceptical until I turned round and saw this on the floor

From the T & A in 2001

28th May 2001

Letters to the Editor

SIR - I am writing on behalf of the committee of Great Horton Methodist Cricket Club, which has been established for almost 100 years. We play in the Bradford Mutual Sunday School Cricket League.
The reason for this letter is to inform readers of a new threat to our existence.
Recently we were requested to attend a meeting, held by the church, who own the ground, and told that it was their intention to sell the ground for building private dwellings.
We as a committee and players of all denominations, colour and creed, aged from seven years to 60, provide excellent facilities funded by ourselves at very little cost to the church by fundraising of various kinds and general goodwill and patronage, both private and commercial.
We have been reliably informed that the general congregation are unaware of the proposals aforementioned and that through your excellent readers column, we would try to inform past and present members of Great Horton Methodist Church of these proposals and ask their support for our intention to fight long and hard to maintain our right to play cricket at Hollingwood Mount.
If we fail, cricket lovers past, present and future will be the losers. Can we afford to lose any more cricket in this area, ie Lidget Green? I think not.
Gerald Smith, Eltham Grove, Wibsey.

News 1st June 2001

Cricket club under threat in land sale 

A Bradford cricket club could be forced to close after 80 years amid fears its ground is to be sold to property developers.
The Great Horton Methodist Church plays at Hollingwood Mount, Bradford, on land owned by Great Horton Methodist Church.
Club committee members attended a church meeting recently where they were told that the church was considering selling the land.
Club chairman Gerald Smith, of Eltham Grove, Wibsey, said the club is preparing for the 'worst case scenario'.
He said: "I've spoken to a few long-serving church people who were on the church council and they know nothing about selling the land. I just don't know why they're doing it."
As well as losing its ground, Mr Smith says the move could affect the club financially.
"We've had grants from the Sports Council and we have to guarantee that we'll be here for ten years, but we could be asked for that back now."
A spokesperson for Sport England, previously known as the English Sports Council, confirmed that it did sometimes ask for funding to be returned, but would be sympathetic to the club's position.
Mr Smith also fears a legal loophole could threaten the club's future.
"I got a copy of the deeds and there was a clause that said we weren't allowed more than three players from outside the church in the team."
It is currently made up of players from outside the church.
Tom Priestley, secretary of the Bradford Area Cricket Council, is also concerned that the ground could be lost.
He said: "The cricket club has been in touch with me, they're very upset about it.
"They've been established 80 years, have a nice ground and no one wants to see it sold. I don't think selling sports grounds is a good thing, you have to look to the future."
The Reverend Paul Flowers refused to comment on claims that the site was to be sold.
A spokesman for Bradford Council said no planning applications were lodged for the site.

From the state of the sign still outside the ground it doesn't look like the initial threat to sell was carried out, nor does it look like any development has occurred on the grounds.

Did the failure to sell quickly enough force the closure of the church?

This site would suggest the church was still going in 2011. The Faceache page looks like it died a couple of years ago.