SUSSEX are to quit the County Cricket Ground in Hove, their home since 1872.

The committee has decided it must move with the times and that the club's future lies away from the historic site. The controversial decision was taken behind closed doors at a meeting last week, the Argus can reveal. Outgoing chairman Robin Marlar confirmed: "The committee is united in its wish to see us in a new home. Sport now needs stadia, not a homely little ground surrounded by flats. "That's a really big change in position, but we need somewhere where we can accommodate cars. We need thousands of spaces where we currently have only a handful. "We also have to borrow lights every time we play a floodlit match, which is not a happy position to be in." The Argus revealed last month that Sussex have joined forces with Albion in the quest for a new multi-purpose sports stadium in the county. Top level meetings have been taking place between the clubs and Marlar has even walked the four shortlisted sites: Waterhall, Falmer, Shoreham Harbour and the greyhound stadium. He hopes to have a new venue for Sussex finalised by the end of the year. The plan to abandon the County Ground is bound to outrage traditionalists and Sussex are anticipating a backlash when they make the official announcement at tomorrow night's AGM at the Grand Hotel in Brighton. Marlar stressed that club members' views will be taken on board. "If 4,999 of our 5,000 members say no fear' then obviously we will listen to them. We are anxious to get people's views."

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