18 January 1999
Furious Cork to quit Derbyshire
By Neil Hallam
THE growing impression that Derbyshire CCC stands for Derbyshire
Congenital Crisis Club will be reinforced today when Dominic Cork
resigns the captaincy after one season in charge and seeks his
release only 12 months into a five-year contract.
"I have been left with no alternative," claimed Cork yesterday.
"I have waited four months for the committee to take the
necessary steps to grant me the authority I was promised, but it
has not been forthcoming.
"I said that I would resign and apply for my release unless those
responsible for downgrading the captaincy were removed from
influence on the professional playing staff. Now, as a matter of
principle, I am carrying out that threat. My resignation and
request will be on the secretary's desk in the morning."
The trigger for Cork's dramatic action came on Saturday - "just
about the worst day of my life" according to the all-rounder who
learned over breakfast of his omission from England's 30-man
World Cup squad.
"First I had to find out from Ceefax that I was out of the
biggest cricket event of all, apparently because of the
Derbyshire situation. Then I had to find out from journalists
that the chairman, Vic Brownett, who had promised to support my
case in committee, had done a complete about turn.
"The least I was entitled to expect was a phone call, but
apparently watching Nottingham Forest was more important and he
intended to get to me on Monday."
Brownett emerged from a meeting on Saturday to issue a statement
which offered "unequivocal support for the committee's decisions"
and which disassociated him from a group of members collecting
signatures for an extraordinary general meeting at which a "vote
of no confidence" in the committee will be proposed.
This group, which includes former chairmen Chris Middleton and
Guy Willatt and three former committee members, insists that such
direct action offers the only hope of persuading Cork and leading
batsman Kim Barnett, who has already been offered his release, to
stay with the county.
Cork commented: "I am touched by their support but there comes a
time to cut your losses and put your career first" - a statement
which will alert Lancashire, Notts and Warwickshire.
"As things stand I can see no way that myself or Kim will be here
next season and if things carry on as they are, others like Kevin
Dean, Andy Harris and Karl Krikken may follow us.
"While a particular group within the committee is dominating
affairs, I see no prospect of a reasonable relationship with the
players and in time that can mean only one thing - Minor Counties
cricket."
Brownett, who lost a crucial vote on playing matters 8-6 on
Saturday, was unavailable for comment yesterday but was believed
to be considering his own position.
Source :: Electronic Telegraph (https://www.telegraph.co.uk)