SHOCKED Pirelli General bowlers go into the new Southampton and District BA season knowing it will be the last for their club.

After 56 years, the curtain is coming down on the Cablemen as their Dew Lane green, next to the old company factory in Leigh Road, Eastleigh, has been sold for redevelopment.

Club secretary Bob Fawcett said: "The news has come as a bombshell. We were all aware that the site would eventually close and be redeveloped but we thought it was three or four years down the line.

"So, when we were told it was to be built on a lot sooner after the factory finally shut down a couple of months ago, it came like a bolt out of the blue. It's a great shame."

Pirelli have nearly 70 bowling members at their sports and social club, many retired former company employees who have used the facilities there free for years.

Fawcett, who worked at Pirelli for 40 years as publicity and press relations manager, thinks many, faced with having to pay to play elsewhere, may retire from the sport. Others will join clubs closer to where they live.The club have no plans to relocate.

Pirelli field three sides in the S&D BA league with their top team in Championship 2 and two in the Combination divisions. Though they have never been regarded as the area's leading club, they have had their highlights over the years, including being runners-up to Atherley in the S&D Championship during the 1980s, and being beaten by Banister Park in the divisional final of the Hampshire Club Knock-out Cup five seasons ago.

In Eddie Walters they have not only a stalwart who goes back to the club's early days but also a man whose services to Hampshire bowls have made him a life vice-president of the county.

The 2002 S&D BA league season swings into action next week with Combination fixtures on Tuesday followed by Championship matches on Thursday.