Yorkshire v Kent: Gale looks to future domination as Yorkshire's dream crumbles

Gale's men came within a whisker of winning the club's first title since 2001 only to fall agonisingly short on the last day of the season.

Yorkshire lost by four wickets against Kent at Headingley Carnegie when victory would have seen them pip Nottinghamshire to the trophy and 550,000 first prize.

Their chance of glory disappeared when they lost nine wickets for just 37 runs in a dramatic spell yesterday morning that left Kent wanting only 90 for victory.

Yorkshire finished third in Division One – their highest position since they won the Championship nine years ago.

They collected 115,000 prize money, 100,000 of which goes to the players on an appearance-related basis.

Yorkshire's efforts in the four-day competition complemented their stirring run to the semi-finals of the Clydesdale Bank 40.

Yorkshire won 10 of their 12 group games before losing to Warwickshire at Scarborough last Saturday.

Gale, 26, insisted he had seen enough in his first season at the team's helm to convince him Yorkshire will soon be winning silverware.

"I believe we're at the start of something special," said Gale, who has worked wonders with a young group of players in tandem with director of professional cricket Martyn Moxon and the coaching staff.

"We've got a lot of young lads who are going to be around for many years to come and, if we can keep this squad together, we're going to win trophies.

"I think we're reborn as a county and I know the supporters have appreciated the hard work we've put in.

"We weren't quite able to win a trophy for them this time, but, hopefully, it won't be long in coming."

Yorkshire went into the campaign with little or no expectation on their shoulders to perform.

Many predicted a turbulent summer, with most bookmakers making them favourites to be relegated in the Championship and to make little headway in one-day cricket.

Now Yorkshire's biggest challenge will be to cope with the expectation generated by this season's efforts. That will not be helped by the departure of star batsman Jacques Rudolph, who is set to announce during the next few weeks he will not be returning to the club in an effort to rekindle his international career.

Moxon believes Yorkshire can go from strength to strength but admitted there were tough challenges ahead.

"There are exciting times on the horizon but there's no doubt other teams are going to treat us differently next year," he said.

"It's a lot more difficult to win when people are expecting you to win, and it's going to be different in that regard.

"There are always ups and downs with young players and other sides will have an idea now of how to work on their weaknesses.

"Our players will have to cope with that."

Moxon stressed, however, that no-one at Yorkshire will be resting on their laurels.

After six weeks off, the squad will resume fitness training in November in readiness for the 2011 campaign.

"It's important we're not complacent and that we come back better next season," added Moxon.

"We've had a great season, but we still haven't won anything, and to win things we have to be better.

"We're disappointed we didn't get over the line in the Championship, but, when that disappointment disappears, we can sit back and reflect on what we've achieved.

"The Yorkshire supporters have been behind us all year and we've come a long way in a short space of time."

Yorkshire are hopeful they will have former pace bowler Ryan Sidebottom in their side when they return next season.

As previously reported in the Yorkshire Post, Sidebottom is their No 1 target following his decision to quit newly-crowned champions Nottinghamshire.

"We've spoken to Ryan and, hopefully, we'll get a decision in the next couple of weeks," said Gale.

"If we can get him on board, his experience would be invaluable for us.

"At times this year we've lacked that bit of experience and our semi-final defeat against Warwickshire was a case in point.

"When the chips were down, we could have done with someone like Ryan to come on and do a job, and he's got all the qualities you could want from a bowler.

"We've got a good offer on the table and I know Ryan is still passionate about Yorkshire cricket.

"His family live in Huddersfield, he's got a new-born baby, and I think it would be a great move for him in every respect."