A packed Yorkshire annual meeting in the Majestic Hotel, Leeds appeared well satisfied with Sir Lawrence By-ford's pledge that it would be the members who eventually decide whether Yorkshire stay at Headingley or move to new headquarters at Wakefield.

Sir Lawrence said that if the time came when a choice had to be made, then it would be left to the members, probably at a special general meeting.

He said that three private meetings had now taken place between York-shire and Leeds Cricket, Football and Athletic Company to explore the possibility of redeveloping Headingley, and plans submitted by Leeds CFAC last week for planning approval would be examined shortly by Yorkshire.

Meanwhile, the Wakefield development was on hold, pending the resolving of issues with Leeds chairman Paul Caddick and the company.

Sir Lawrence said that the advice of leading counsel was that Yorkshire could move to Wakefield tomorrow if they wished, but there was one problem and that was they must make sure they did not play more games at any home venue than were played at Headingley.

Yorkshire could also move to Wake-field tomorrow and build their own county ground, but there was a risk if they pushed for it to become a Test match ground because Headingley might be able to claim that right within the terms of the present lease.

It was, however, the England and Wales Cricket Board who decided on which grounds Test cricket should be staged, and it had already warned Headingley that they may not have a Test match if there continued to be misbehaviour.

Although Yorkshire have come in for some criticism of their handling of the Headingley-Wakefield issue, members gave overwhelming support to a resolution expressing total confidence in the way the club was trying to find a solution to the problems of obtaining headquarters/cricket stadium suitable for the next millennium.

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