Boycott proud Yorkshire have shot at title in 150th anniversary year

GEOFFREY BOYCOTT last night spoke of his pride and delight after Yorkshire won County Championship promotion in his first year as president.

The former Yorkshire and England opening batsman, 71, said he could not be more thrilled after the club secured an immediate return to Division One.

Yorkshire clinched promotion in their final match of the season against Essex, which ended yesterday in a 239-run victory for the visitors at Chelmsford.

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Although it was not quite enough to earn Yorkshire the title, with Derbyshire finishing top after beating Hampshire by six wickets at Derby, Yorkshire still went up in second place – and promotion was always their No 1 priority.

Speaking from his home in Jersey, a delighted Boycott told the Yorkshire Post: “My congratulations to the players, coaches and club staff who have helped behind the scenes.

“It’s a wonderful achievement when, for so long, this rainy summer made it look as if promotion would not be possible.

“Our players and coaching staff have done us proud.

“I’m especially pleased for our 6,500 members, who I know prefer to watch four-day cricket.

“Our heritage and tradition is in Championship cricket.

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“Next season we now have a chance of winning the Championship outright in our 150th anniversary.

“If we could do that, it really would be special.”

Yorkshire’s promotion was doubly sweet for Boycott, who had demanded nothing less when he took the highest office of the county club.

At Yorkshire’s annual meeting at Headingley in March, Boycott immediately laid down the law by insisting the club had to return to Division One.

“Yorkshire have to get promoted this year,” Boycott told members after replacing his former team-mate Ray Illingworth as president on a fixed two-year term.

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“It has to be uppermost in everyone’s minds – the players, the coaches, everybody.

“Winning promotion in the Championship is the only thing that matters because, in 2013, it’s our 150th anniversary, and in our anniversary year we should be striving to win the Championship.

“We can’t do that in the Second Division, so we have to get out of it.”

Boycott admitted his comments put pressure on the players but said he did not regret them for a single minute.

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On the contrary, a man who scored the small matter of 48,426 first-class runs – including 8,114 at Test level – said the ability to handle pressure is part and parcel of being a professional cricketer.

“I set them the target at the beginning of the year and put a bit of pressure on them, but it’s pressure that makes a cricketer,” said Boycott.

“It’s not just about talent and technique but about being able to deal with the mental side of the game as well.

“In my opinion, it was the right thing to say because Yorkshire belongs in the First Division and the members want and deserve Championship cricket.

“The players have responded well to the challenge.”

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As a member of one of the greatest Yorkshire sides to have played the game, Boycott knows full well the history and traditions of the White Rose county.

For too long, Yorkshire’s success has been rooted in the past, but Boycott believes there is no reason the club cannot build on this season’s achievement and go on to experience further success.

“Our past is wonderful, terrific, but we have to make a future as well,” he said.

“These players have to make their own future and achieve their own silverware.

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“They have to leave their own indelible mark on Yorkshire’s history.

“The past is wonderful, yes, but we want to be ambitious as well,” he said.

Boycott’s pride at being club president is clear in the way he has been a visible presence throughout the summer.

Although he still has a number of media commitments, along with properties outside the country, he has thrown himself into the role with notable gusto.

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It will be a source of great pride to him that his term of office coincides with the club’s 150th anniversary, which his wife, Rachael, is primarily co-ordinating off-the-field with a number of special commemorative events.

Those kick off with a special sesquicentennial soiree at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield on January 8, when there will be readings, recollections and reminiscences from current and former players.

“I’ve loved every minute of being president so far,” said Boycott, who has been involved with Yorkshire cricket now for half a century.

“It was nice of the board to make me president but I believe I act on behalf of the members.

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“I’ve been to as many members’ meetings as I can, and I’ve been to as many games as I can.

“I’m only a ceremonial figurehead, but I’ve enjoyed myself enormously and I’m thrilled that Yorkshire are back in Division One of the County Championship.”

Gillespie content as Yorkshire achieve main goal: Page 5.