Boycott’s ambition remains solid for the future

On the contrary, the Yorkshire president, 72, has kept pace with the changing face of the sport and appreciates much that the modern game offers.

Of course, as befits a man whose career dates back to the days of three-day cricket and uncovered pitches, Boycott likes many of the olden ways.

But he is no “in my day” merchant as some people are, which is why he remains respected as a media pundit.

So when Boycott says that things ain’t what they used to be in one particular area, it gives his opinions added power.

For when asked to reflect on what it meant to play for Yorkshire, as the club celebrates its 150th anniversary, the former opening batsman kept revisiting one key theme.

Above all, Boycott spoke of the attachment that players of his generation felt to the county.

To play for Yorkshire was the ultimate ambition; it was the schoolboy dream to end all schoolboy dreams.

“When I was a kid, everyone used to talk about Yorkshire cricket and its special players,” said Boycott.

“It’s all you ever heard as a youngster growing up.

“For those of us fortunate to play for the club, it felt extra special because we were the only one with home-grown players.

“It gave us all an added connection.”

Despite his comments, Boycott was fully behind the move to welcome overseas players to Yorkshire in the early 1990s.

The club was the last to break with tradition by recruiting foreign imports, with India’s Sachin Tendulkar its first overseas signing in 1992.

“I’m one of the last generation who was brought up believing it was very special to play for Yorkshire because you were Yorkshire-born,” said Boycott.

“It’s all changed now, and it had to change for the club to be able to compete with other counties.

“The problem now is that when our best young players get into the first XI, England take them them away and we never see them again.

“Consequently, the modern player cannot possibly have that same level of connection with the club that my generation enjoyed.”

Boycott, who has been involved with Yorkshire for 51 of its 150 years, said all he ever thought about was playing for Yorkshire.

That was the case even when he was on England duty.

“Growing up, all I ever thought about was Yorkshire cricket,” said Boycott.

“Even when I was with England I was thinking, “how are Yorkshire doing?” because it meant everything – it was in my blood.

“When I played, there were only five Tests a summer and less international cricket, but I was still playing 30-odd games a year for the county. Nowadays, it would take a top England player years to play that many games for his county, because clubs now see so little of their leading names.”

Boycott said players are increasingly disenfranchised from their counties.

He said that was due to the volume of international cricket.

“How many times has someone like Tim Bresnan played for Yorkshire?” added Boycott, who scored 8,114 runs in 108 Tests at an average of 47.72.

“How can he possibly have that same affinity with the club that Yorkshire players of the past enjoyed?

“In my opinion, he can’t, even though I wouldn’t for one moment question his loyalty and commitment.

“It’s not that the modern players aren’t committed to the club, it’s that they don’t play enough through no fault of their own.”

Part of the golden era of the 1960s when Yorkshire last had a consistently successful side, Boycott is rightly proud of the fact he is Yorkshire president in the club’s special year.

His first year in office coincided with promotion back to Division One of the County Championship – now he hopes to mark his second year with the Championship crown.

“That would be absolutely fantastic, but this isn’t about me,” stressed Boycott, who first played for Yorkshire in 1962.

“It’s a very proud year for me and I’m thrilled to bits, but it’s about the club and I just want to enjoy it.

“It would be great to win the Championship, for sure, but it won’t be easy if we lose our best young players like Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root to England duty.

“From our point of view, we need those players as much as possible if we’re going to have any chance of winning the title.”

Boycott said it was fitting that Yorkshire should start their anniversary celebrations with a sesquicentennial soiree in Sheffield on January 8 – the place where the club was formed in 1863.

Born and brought up in South Yorkshire himself, he believes it is vital the club is all-inclusive.

“What better way to start our celebrations than in Sheffield,” he said.

“That’s where the club was formed and I’ve always believed the club belongs to everyone in Yorkshire; it’s not just about Headingley or Leeds.”