Morris Motors Cricket Club have been kicked off their Crescent Road ground on the eve of the new season -- sparking claims of racism.

The cricket club have been left without a home for their opening game tomorrow after Morris Motors Athletic & Social Club gave them their marching orders after 50 years at the ground.

However, the racism claim was refuted by social club chairman Tom Doliamie, who is himself Asian, who said the decision was taken for financial reasons.

Den Harvey, chairman of Morris Motors CC, said: "We went up to repair the sightscreens for this weekend's game and we were told 'you're longer allowed to play here'.

"They said another club were coming, and they had put in a better financial package, which is a team called Oxford Rescue.

"It's devastating news, but it all stems back to three or four years ago, when we were told we were not putting any finance in and not drinking enough in the bar to make them money.

"The reason is that 60 per cent of our players are Asian, and their religion means that they don't drink alcohol, and the club were trying to force them to pay money over the bar."

And cricket club secretary George Wakefield claimed: "This is now a racialist thing. The players are fuming."

Mr Doliamie said: "I'm an Asian myself. I don't want that subject to arise, as it then becomes a subject of racism.

"They have given you an issue that could be a racism issue, but it's not. You can take it up with anyone, but not with me, because I'm from an ethnic background.

"I only drink water. If you don't drink beer then you can drink cola or water -- we actually make more money on them."

He said the decision was taken because the cricket section was being poorly run and was costing the club money.

"The management that are running the cricket section are not doing a good job and part of our constitution gives the executive committee the right to deal with it as it sees fit," he added. "No business can run at a loss.

"Without finance this club would not survive.

"There are a lot of people who are talking about coming to play here. We have not decided who yet, but no-one will play here other than as the Morris Motors' club."

Now Morris Motors CC are looking into their legal rights.

Oxford Rescue chairman Dave Barnhill confirmed thae team had been invited to play at Crescent Road, but had turned down the offer.

"As a cricket club we will look at what is put in front of us, and our members have voted to play at St Peter's College," he said.

Morris Motors CC were hoping to switch tomorrow's 2nd XI game against Dinton 3rds to their opponents' ground.

Derek Primett, chairman of the Oxford Times Cherwell League, supported Morris Motors CC.

He said: "It's despicable behaviour by the main Morris Motors club.

"To be turfed off your ground three days before the start of the season is outrageous, and we will be as understanding as we can.

"The league will give them every support, but ultimately there's not a lot we can do apart from that.

"This is really a matter for the Oxfordshire Cricket Board, although I fear that it will have to go to the England & Wales Cricket Board at the end of the day."

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