John Moorhead, newly appointed assistant secretary of the club, said: "We have a two year time scale. This year will be spent planning the centre, next year to put the plans into action with a view to the first ball being bowled in 2000.

"It's an exciting time for the club after the disappointments of the last 12 months. It is a time for rebuilding."

It was revealed that the complex, which is expected to be a base for rugby and football teams as well, is expected to cost £1 million.

The money is expected to be raised via the sale of the club's Vicarage Road ground to Wimpy and, it is hoped, a National Lottery grant.

Mr Moorhead added: "The complex will be one of the finest sporting centres in the county."

At the club's AGM last week chairman Rob Westworth gave a rousing speech on the club's future and the development of young players, saying: "The forthcoming season is to be for the youngster, they are our future at whatever site we lay our new roots."

John Nancollis of Northwich RUFC said of the link between his club and the proposed complex: "The rugby club has been talking to the cricket club for some time about the possibility of a new sports complex but there has been no concrete proposal from the cricket club. There is no definite plan to move from Moss Farm."

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.