The "Clicky Ponting" cricket scandal has widened after footage emerged showing Brian Devine using the same finger-clicking trick at a previous club five years ago.
Devine, whose current club Saltburn CC is facing a corruption investigation, was captured on video repeatedly clicking his fingers during a Bradford Premier League match in August 2021 while playing for Pudsey St Lawrence. The apparent aim was to mimic the sound of a ball hitting the bat and mislead umpires.
At the time, Devine was captain of Pudsey St Lawrence's second XI. His side restricted opponents New Farnley to 136 runs in the rain-affected match, which they lost.
The footage, uncovered by the Daily Mail, has prompted calls for the Bradford Premier League to open a formal investigation. Sources at rival clubs say umpires in the competition were routinely deceived for years into ruling that opposing batsmen had edged the ball.
"Our lads have been looking back at surviving film and score books and we have come to the conclusion that he's been at it for years," said a source at one rival club. "Young players will have lost opportunities because of this, match results will have undoubtedly been affected, and there is a good case for now stripping Pudsey St Lawrence of its 2023 title."
Pudsey St Lawrence, founded in 1845, won the Bradford Premier League title in 2023, Devine's final season at the club.
Martin Reed, chairperson of Pudsey St Lawrence, told the Daily Mail: "We were not aware of any issues with Mr Devine's behaviour during his time at the club, nor were concerns raised with us by other clubs or officials."
Bradford Premier League officials did not return calls.
