Volunteers left 'gutted' as Yorkies scheme abruptly cancelled by Yorkshire County Cricket Club

In an email seen by the Yorkshire Evening Post, the Yorkshire County Cricket Club’s dedicated team of volunteers, known as ‘Yorkies,’ were told that the scheme would not be going ahead this season and had been temporarily disbanded.

Aimed at helping fans find their way around the club’s Headingley home, the scheme was cancelled on the eve of the new cricket season, leaving many volunteers disappointed and wondering why.

Speaking on the promise of anonymity, one long-standing member told the YEP: “Usually we receive an email in January welcoming us back, but nothing came until March when we received a generic email telling us it had been put on hold until further notice. We were all gutted.

“It feels like we received no real explanation beyond them reviewing matchday requirements, but surely you would conduct that review after the season finished in September? We are all volunteering so there was minimal costs to the club other than t-shirts and caps which we already have.”

The friendly team of volunteers were responsible for a number of matchday operations helping cricket fans find their way around Headingley Cricket Ground, greeting them, and making sure they have a fantastic matchday experience.

Following the completion of their duties, volunteers would then be welcome to stay and enjoy the cricket.

In a statement provided to the YEP, a spokesperson for Yorkshire County Cricket Club said they were hopeful of reintroducing the programme in the future, but explained it had been placed on hold for the 2026 season.

“The Club can confirm that the Yorkies volunteer programme has been placed on hold for the 2026 season while a comprehensive review of matchday operations is undertaken,” the club spokesperson said.

“This was a difficult decision to take, and we are grateful to the Yorkies community for the wonderful contribution they have made to the spectator experience at Headingley. We hope to reintroduce the programme in the future, stronger than ever.”

Alternative volunteering opportunities, including roles linked to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in June, have been shared with all previous Yorkies.

In 2025, the club arranged for volunteers to meet England cricket legend Michael Vaughan to show their appreciation of their hard work, but the anonymous member has said even that memory now feels “hollow.”

“They were all saying how wonderful we were, but it’s all hollow now as suddenly they don’t need us anymore and people are disappointed,” they added.