We’ll bring the smiles and success back to Durham.. starting now
FOR the first time in my life I’m starting an English cricket season behind a desk.
Office work has never been my style, but now I’m chairman of Durham County Cricket Club I have got a bit of work to do to help put us back where we belong on and off the field.
I met with the players and the coaching staff this week to wish them all the very best in our first championship game of the season on Friday and they are straining at the leash.
My diary has never been more hectic, but I’ll be there on Sunday to cheer them on and with a fair wind, see them dominate Notts who have got their own promotion hopes.
Starting in Division Two on minus 48 points following our financial issues remains a frustration for us all and although we don’t agree with it, we are going to show that we are made of tough stuff and give it one hell of a crack.
With the impressive Jon Lewis as coach, Paul Collingwood in charge as captain and with some quality young talent coming through like Jack Burnham, we’ve got the players to rise to that challenge and contend for promotion.
No one gave us a prayer in 1992 when we joined the County Championship, and look at how we came together to win trophies and produce players. I believe this is part two of that incredible story and North-East cricket will show what it’s made of.
We have got some terrific players to get us going with Mark Wood back in business after his injury problems, and from what the players were telling me, he is bowling with real pace again. Once the internationals get going, I doubt we’ll see much of Woody and of course, we’ll hardly see Ben Stokes (left) either – but that’s OK. We want to be producing big players for England. Graham Onions is another player with international experience who will be giving it everything to get us back to Division One and he told me: “I cannot wait for it to start. We are so ready for this.” There is a real determination in the squad to try to do something special this year.
I have also made my first decision which is a new dress code for all visiting chairmen and officials from other clubs when they come to Durham this season. Ditch the ties!
We are a welcoming, open and relaxed club who are all in this together and you don’t need to wear a suit and tie to join us, an open-necked shirt will do. I want everyone to be comfortable and not stuffy.
Come, enjoy our hospitality and leave with great memories – and as few points as possible.