English League Cricket: Gott to travel on (4 Sep 1998)

4 September 1998

League Cricket: Gott to travel on

By Andrew Collomosse

CHRIS GOTT is adamant that his impending departure from Pudsey St Lawrence will be a case of au revoir rather than farewell.

After 12 seasons with the Bradford League's most famous club, eight of them as captain, Gott has decided it is time for a new challenge. But, off the field at least, he hopes to continue his part in shaping the club's future.

"I've just started renovating a cottage near the ground so there's every chance I'll be popping into clubhouse," says Gott, whose three-game finale begins at Windhill tomorrow. "The Lawrence has been a part of my life for so long that it will be impossible to just walk away. It's going to be a real wrench but I'm 33 and I feel it's time for a new challenge."

The news that the man who led the Bradford League's representative X1 to five successive victories in the Yorkshire Inter-League trophy from 1993 would be seeking pastures new inevitably sparked much interest from inside and outside the Bradford League.

However, Gott, who will be succeeded by former Yorkshire batsman Ashley Metcalfe, will not be rushed into making an announcement.

Gott's legacy to a Pudsey side he led to the championship in 1991 and the Priestley Cup last season comes in the shape of England 'A' fast bowler Paul Hutchison and youngsters like Gareth Clough and Gary Fellows, both of whom have recently made their Yorkshire debut.

"They all started in the first team at 15 and it's very rewarding to see them make it all the way into the Yorkshire side. Perhaps we could have won more trophies if we had gone for older players but the game is also about bringing on the youngsters."

Source :: Electronic Telegraph (https://www.telegraph.co.uk)