We need to regain trust and rebuild relationships

GIBSON’S READY FOR HIS HUGE HEADINGLEY MISSION

OTTIS GIBSON is braced for the huge challenge of restoring Yorkshire’s reputation on and off the cricket field.

After 14 years on the unrelenting international

treadmill, Gibson is fully aware when he takes over at Headingley at the end of next month the spotlight will be as harsh if not brighter than at any of his previous jobs.

The task, on the face of things, is a simple one – put Yorkshire into contention on the field.

But in accepting the role of head coach on a three-year deal, he knows his cricket skills must be matched by his ability to help rebuild spirit in the dressing room and relationships between club, community and sponsors.

“Of course you want to focus on the cricket but you also have to focus on mending relationships,” Gibson said.

“It would be naive to think it is just going to be cricket with everything that has gone on. I have spoken a lot to director of cricket Darren Gough (above) about that and talked about getting out in to the community and engaging with the fans.

“It is true we have lost a lot of sponsorship and part of moving forward and regaining trust is education.

“And I think with my background in the game – I have coached in South Africa and all over the place – that is probably a really good starting point.

“It is probably one of the reasons why Yorkshire engaged me.”

After Azeem Rafiq’s harrowing testimony into racism left the club’s reputation in tatters, and saw 16 members of the coaching staff lose their jobs, Gibson’s colour is an obvious touch point.

He accepts there will be many who believe being black gave him an advantage and concedes he can do nothing about other people’s views. Yet his record as an international coach carries more weight than the colour of his skin and no one should underestimate his talent. Gibson added: “For sure. The fact I have been coach for a long time, and I am an experienced coach, I would like to think that is the main reason. But people will draw their own conclusions. “My hope and belief is I have been engaged because of my coaching background and my background in the game rather than anything else.” Gibson, 52, started his playing career in Barbados before moving to provincial cricket in South Africa in the early 1990s and then in 1994 began 13 years in county cricket in England.

Since taking up coaching he has had two spells as England bowling supremo, led West Indies to the World T20 title in 2012 and also bossed South Africa and Bangladesh.

Gibson is diplomatic on the topic of whether or not cricket and, in particular county cricket, has a problem with racism.

He said: “In 1991-92 I played provincial cricket in South Africa as the only black person in the dressing room… I was young, into cricket but I didn’t feel like an alien in that environment even at that time in South Africa.

“I have learned to deal with a lot of things, yet at the same time everybody has their own views and experiences. I have been comfortable with mine.”

Gibson does not know if Yorkshire will be further penalised by the ECB investigation threatening points deduction but he hopes 2022 represents a new beginning.

He added: “It is the first step in a three-year project and everybody, as far as the cricket is concerned, starts with a clean slate.

“It is about how people who come to Yorkshire relate to the cricket. That is our focus. Once we start focusing on the cricket then I feel we will be an ambitious team.”