Boycott comes in from the cold

After almost 30 years of hostilities, Geoffrey Boycott has been invited in from the cold by his former county, Yorkshire, who have nominated him for a place on the club's board.

Boycott, 65, was unarguably one of the greatest players that Yorkshire has ever produced. In a 24-year first-class career that began in 1962, Boycott played in over 600 matches, scoring 48,426 runs at an average of 56.83. He was awarded his county cap in 1963, and went on to become club captain for seven years from 1971.

However, Boycott's singleminded approach to the game did not endear him to all, and his final years with the club were acrimonious to say the least. He was sacked as captain at the end of the 1977 season, and retired from first-class cricket in 1986 after the committee threatened to sack him as a player.

All that has now been forgotten, however, and Boycott - whose commitment to Yorkshire has never been in doubt - is keen to put the past behind him. "The Yorkshire cricketing public have always given me tremendous support and if the members feel I can contribute to the future success of the cub, I will be delighted to serve on the board," he said. "My love for the club has been wholehearted and unquestionable throughout all of my life."

Robin Smith, Yorkshire's chairman, added: "Geoffrey will bring to the board his profound cricket knowledge. His playing experience spanned all the current forms of the game (except Twenty20), and his current involvement with broadcasting of the international game throughout the world is itself an asset. We are looking forward to him making an invaluable contribution to the Club's affairs."

Stewart Regan, the club's new chief executive, cemented the comments made by Smith, adding: "The addition of Geoffrey Boycott to our board is a significant move by Yorkshire and one which, I am sure will be well received by our members. Geoffrey's experience in both cricketing and media affairs will assist the club immensely as we enter a new era of our development."