HASLINGDEN Cricket Club stalwart Mark Griffin is demanding a public apology from chairman Geoff Lord before resuming his playing career at Bentgate.

The former skipper quit the club after a heated outburst by Lord during the recent home game with Church.

That exchange was witnessed by current skipper Mike Ingham, who is calling for Lord to step down and is considering his own future at the club.

Griffin has also warned that Haslingden faces lasting decline under Lord's stewardship.

Another ex-captain Stuart Taylor, who has turned out while on medication for migraine attacks, has also joined the revolt after his attitude was criticised during the same exchange.

And Andrew Siddely, who started the season as captain, stepped down earier in the summer after more criticism from Lord.

Griffin, who has also resigned from the committee, had attempted to voice his concerns to Lord about the state of the Haslingden wicket.

He explained: "The chairman just blew up. He told me where to go and said I was selfish and immature. "I didn't take him on, I just left it. But there's no way I can play again with Geoff as chairman if that's what he thinks of me.

"It's a sad end but there would have to be changes for me to play again unless he comes out and apologises."

The trouble started when Siddely, the team and professional Paul Strang were criticised by Lord at a committee meeting following their cup final defeat by Todmorden. Lord also raised the issue of selection and claimed consistent performers in the second XI -- where his sons Patrick and Charles play -- were being unfairly overlooked.

Griffin added: "We did our best and our best wasn't good enough on the day.

"We were embarrassed out there in the middle and we didn't need embarrasing in public.

"It's gone downhill since then and we haven't won a game.

"Before the cup final we were chasing a possible double. The club is going into decline."

The captaincy was taken over by Mike Ingham, who lost out in a pre-season vote when Siddely was backed by the committee.

Griffin said: "I do not know what Mike is going to do, he's in such an awkward situation.

"He's not got the backing of the committee. Geoff wanted Strangy to be captain when Andrew packed up.

"I just hope Geoff has a look at the situation and speaks to me and Stuart. I don't want to be big-headed but, if we finished, they would struggle."

Lord said: "There's always two sides to a story but I'm not prepared to put my side of the story in the papers."

Ingham, concerned about falling standards of discipline and dedication in training, added: "I don't want to work for Geoff, like no-one else wants to work for him.

"I'm not sure I want the captaicy but, for the good of the club, I should do it. Whether I'll be backed, I don't know.

"But, for the good of the club, he must go and it might have to come down to an extraordinary general meeting or a vote of no confidence at the annual general meeting in January.

"There is going to need to be some bloodletting."