Yorkshire appoint new chief executive

Cricket may not actually be the new football afterall, but one man who knows a thing or two about the other game is Yorkshire's new chief executive, Stewart Regan. He joins the county from the Football League, where he has been the director of the Championship division for the past two years.

Regan, 41, will succeed Colin Graves in the role, with Graves continuing to serve on the board. His exact start date is yet to be confirmed, although the club say that they are hoping Regan will be in the job before the season begins.

"We were looking for someone with a strong business background who could lead this club as we enter a new phase in its development," explained the club's chairman, Robin Smith. "Stewart's extensive experience, both in corporate business and football, will be invaluable. I am delighted he has accepted the role."

Regan brings with him experience from the brewing industry; he is a former director of strategic planning for Coors Brewers, owner of the Carling and Worthington brands.

"I am delighted and honoured to be joining one of the biggest names in the world of cricket at such an exciting time in the club's history," said Regan. "Yorkshire has a huge potential to grow on the back of its acquisition of the Headingley cricket ground, promotion to the First Division of the County Championship and the securing of a 15-year staging agreement to host Test Cricket in Yorkshire."