A VALLEYS' cricket club with a proud history may be forced to ditch its heritage and merge with another club because of the antics of drunken youths.

Cefn Fforest Cricket Club, which was established 100 years ago, is considering its future following a season of strife.

Alvin Royall (pictured) 65, of Dylan Avenue, Cefn Fforest, said the club had been plagued by youths who disrupt games with drunken and abusive behaviour. Mr Royall, a retired aircraft engineer who has been a member of the club for 50 years, said the problem had got so bad that players were unable to bring their families to the club on match days.

He said: "It would be very difficult to continue playing on the welfare ground if things don't change after the season we have just had.

"We have group of around 20 or so teenagers turning up hurling abuse and smashing bottles whenever we play.

"It is a problem that has built up over the last three years but it is definitely getting worse." The club is now considering a possible merger with another club, possibly Newbridge, to get away from their troubled ground.

Mr Royall added: "If we are forced to move because of the behaviour of a small minority, and the club is seriously considering this, then cricket would be lost to Cefn Forest and that would be very sad."

The club, which plays in the first division of East Wales Cricket League, runs three senior teams, an under 15s team and an under 13s team.

They also have a famous president in former Labour party leader MEP Neil Kinnock who was said to have turned out for the club on several occasions at the crease. Committee members say the reason why the ground attracts an "anti-social" element is partly due to the dilapidated state that it's in since Caerphilly council took control of the premises six years ago.

Mr Royall said: "The ground has been neglected of late and it seems to attract problems because some youths don't respect the area anymore.

A spokeswoman for Caerphilly council said: "The council has worked with the cricket club to level and improve drainage on the field. We are disappointed that the club feels they have to move after we have spent so much time and money on the grounds."