CRICKETERS battling to stay at their home of 175 years were left stumped by the language they heard from a councillor.

The comment was made during heated debate over whether Lymington Cricket Club should be forced to move from its current ground to another site.

As emotions ran high over the details of the controversial plan, one of the club members overheard town councillor Penny Jackman tell a colleague: ‘Let’s just shut the b*gg*rs down’.

As previously reported, civic chiefs want the club to abandon its Lymington Road home following fears that stray balls could injure players using neighbouring tennis courts.

When challenged about her choice of words, Mrs Jackman told cricketers at the amenities committee that it was meant as a joke.

She said: “It was a regrettable comment – but it was made at the heat of the moment in utter frustration.

“If I offended anybody I am sorry.”

Trevor Phillips, the historian of the 200-year-old club, confirmed he had questioned the remark during the meeting, but accepts it was meant in jest.

“It is water under the bridge and I’m not bothered about it at all,” he said.

In the end, committee members voted 4-2 to back the move.

The club could be forced to leave Lymington Sports Ground and use a pitch in the Woodside area if plans are rubber-stamped.

The council has previously said that the club, in Division One of the Southern Electric Premier Cricket League, would not be relocated until ‘adequate’ facilities had been provided at Woodside.

Cricketers fear that a move could spell the end of the club and have repeatedly disputed the safety fears.

A final decision will be taken at the next full council meeting on November 30.