Death threats for Yorkshire directors

Geoff Cope, the director of cricket at Yorkshire, has revealed to the BBC that he and three other members of the county's executive board have received death threats from angry supporters.

Yorkshire were relegated to Division Two of the County Championship last season, just 12 months after winning the title for the first time in 33 years, and their progress this season has been faltering. They opened their campaign with a thumping innings-and-343-run victory over Northamptonshire in April, but have since been eliminated from the Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy, and last week suffered a humiliating 167-run defeat by Durham.

"A death threat is not much fun," said Cope, adding that one abusive letter was even signed and addressed. "[The threat] was directed at the four of us, but mentioned me for a certain reason. You do get concerned, but Yorkshire cricket is a very passionate part of life and people's passion is coming out."

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said they had not yet received an official complaint.