THREE members of a controversial social club have been suspended for six months after they opposed its ban on equal rights for women members.

Sunnybank Social Club, in Silsden, acted after Bernard Clarke, his father-in-law, Laurie Sloan, and Mick Sutton, vigorously contested its decision to scrap a rule which it is claimed allows women full status.

The three men were sent letters informing them of the decision following a committee meeting on January 31.

They have been given the opportunity to appeal on Valentine's Day, although there doesn't seem much chance of kissing and making up.

Mr Clarke said: "I am very angry. They have banned me because of my right to question them and my democratic right to free speech.

"It's a matter of principle now. No reasons have been given for our suspension though I expect they think we have brought the club into disrepute. But telling the truth is no crime.

"I am not bothered now. I couldn't give a damn because of the pig-headedness of the committee. It has become a personal vendetta against myself and the others. The issue of equal rights has been sidelined.

"My wife, Fiona, who applied to become a full member, has also been sent a letter saying 'No'."

Mr Sutton, 60, said: "We have been sent a letter informing us of our suspension but there is no indication of why. They are totally out of order."

But assistant secretary Doug Bolton said: "The committee have decided to suspend. We have had enough trouble. We want to try and calm things down. You can't do right for doing wrong. It's all ridiculous and a lot of fuss. But there you go, you get these things occasionally."

The argument caused national headlines when it was revealed last month. Since then the world's top snooker player, Kelly Fisher, of Pontefract, challenged any male member at the club to do battle over the baize.

The 21-year-old easily beat off the attempt by 40-year-old David Baluk - but to no avail. Kelly's victory for the fairer sex turned out to be a hollow victory.

The row also turned the spotlight on the chauvinist attitude of many working clubs, with a snap survey showing how much more entrenched this was the further north you went.

Even the clubs' national governing body - the Club and Institute Union - finds itself impotent when it comes to influencing their policy. Almost 60 per cent of clubs still forbid women full membersh.

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