Coorparoo Cricket Club still has no venue locked in for play ahead of new season

A dark cloud hangs over the future of a Brisbane cricket club which was kicked out of its traditional home just weeks out from the season. SEE WHY HERE.

The first ball for the cricket season is almost here but the future of a Brisbane cricket club, kicked off its traditional home after 40 years, still hangs under a cloud of uncertainty.

The Coorparoo Cricket Club spent an emotional last day at Bottomley Park on Friday with a dispute with the neighbouring rugby club, Easts Rugby Union, forcing them to vacate the space.

Members came together in the afternoon, after cleaning up and packing away the club’s gear, for a barbecue where they shared stories and reminisced about the decades spent at the base.

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Coorparoo Cricket president Marc Fidler said it was a surreal day.

Coorparoo Cricket Club president Marc Fidler speaking at a recent rally to save his club. Picture: Annette Dew

“We’ve been there for so long, it was just kind of a weird feeling that we were leaving,” he said.

“It was emotional time for sure.

“There’s been so many great moments for our club at Bottomley Park over the years so it was nice for members to come together and recognise that.”

Coorparoo Cricket put up a good fight to try and stay at the venue, starting a petition which gained more than 2000 signatures and also having a protest to bring attention to the issue.

Harrison Taylor and Jack Fidler at the rally to save the Coorparoo Cricket Club. Picture: Annette Dew

But despite leaving Bottomley Park, Fidler said the fight was far from over.

However, he also said the future of the club was uncertain with no new location for play locked in just a month out from the start of the season.

“We’re working with the Sub Districts Association to find a new place to play and there’s a meeting next Monday so hopefully something is sorted out definitely then,” he said.

Coorparoo Cricket Club president Marc Fidler says the fight isn’t over to save the club’s home venue. Picture: Annette Dew

“But without a home venue it’s going to be very tough because we used to have some teams play at home, some teams play away and people buy a few beers and things from the canteen and that money keeps the club alive.

“That profit keeps the club running, so without that, I don’t like saying it but our future is very much up in the air.”

Fidler said he still planned to lobby the Brisbane City Council for a response to their petition.

Queensland Cricket have previously expressed their interest for the sport to continue to be played at Bottomley Park.