Wishy-washy Lancashire (28 Aug 1997)

28 Aug 1997

Wishy-washy Lancashire

Lancashire Evening Telegraph

THERE is one glaring omission in the new development plans at Lancashire County Cricket Club - a members' laundry.

And that is because, for once, Old Trafford's dirty washing must be done in public.

Despite the denials of the county's chiefs, the club is in crisis.

The chairman is stepping down, chief executive John Bower has jacked it in, the treasurer is due to finish and there is no little turmoil amongst the playing staff.

There is still the possibility of having two overseas stars for next year, Shane Warne playing and Wasim Akram benefitting.

The captaincy timebomb is ticking away.

Jason Gallian is also set to up sticks and leave the county.

That would be the first time - at least for some considerable time - the county has lost a young England star to a rival outfit. And I can reveal that, on top of Gallian's desire to have more hands on responsibility in team affairs, one of the major sticking points is the inability of the club to provide the player with a sponsored car!

Such dealings hardly inspire confidence in the body of men left running affairs at Old Trafford and battling for various seats of power.

This is the same committee that inanely backed the grocer's report into the future of English cricket.

A number of key personnel were responsible for the recent Premiership debacle and will again blindly follow the English Cricket Board's lead in trying to resurrect that particular non-starter.

So it is understandable that there has been no official explanation of Bower's decision to quit.

This man has been chief executive for six years and is responsible for a five-year plan to redevelop the ground.

His actions make it clear he cannot work with the present committee.

Surely, then, this is the man to shed some light on the background the present chaos.

But, no, a clause in the settlement again prevents informed debate and leaves the victims - the members - basing their grievances on innuendo and rumour.

Source :: Lancashire Evening Telegraph (https://www.reednews.co.uk/let/)