Yorkshire furious at Gough poison pen letter

Yorkshire have come to the defence of their premier fast bowler after he was sent a poison pen letter by a man claiming to be a disgruntled member.

The fan, who did not sign the letter, berated Darren Gough for putting England before Yorkshire, who he claimed should sack him.

But Yorkshire's Chief Executive Chris Hassell believes Gough's absence from the Yorkshire line-up has had some benefits for the county.

"We are obviously disappointed that a member has written to Darren along these lines," said Hassell.

"I am so sad that a member of ours should resort to such spiteful tactics.

"Darren Gough is a first-rate ambassador for this club and for cricket in general. He is the role model in cricket. When Ian Botham retired we said we didn't have a role model any more but now we have one in Darren."

Yorkshire accept the England and Wales Cricket Board's central contracts system which has often taken Gough and team-mates Craig White and Michael Vaughan out of the county frame.

"We can understand our members being frustrated at Darren not being available, just as we as a club are frustrated.

"But we have had to come to terms with that and we hope our members can accept it too. Darren not being available for two games after the Test series has finished is frustrating, but we have to live with that.

"But Darren's absence creates opportunities for young players to establish themselves in the side and that can only be seen as a benefit."

A representative of the Yorkshire fans has also hit out at the anonymous letter writer.

Geoff Holmes, Chairman of Yorkshire County Cricket Club Supporters' Association, said: "We have idiots in all walks of life and YCCC has got its quota. I doubt very much whether these people are members.

"It's obvious from what's happened lately with the England set-up that we've got to support The Management and the players," Holmes told Five Live.

"They've done a magnificent job and, if England have success at Test level, then all the revenue is going to filter down to the counties. Without a successful England team we won't have county cricket as we know it.

"These people are just plain idiots. They just want to be completely ignored. I'm certain that no member would lower themselves to write an abusive letter to Darren or any other player."

Gough received the letter on the day England secured their first series win over the West Indies in 31 years at The Oval.

Gough told The Mirror: "Unfortunately, he didn't leave an address or phone number, so I can't send somebody round to kneecap him.

"I find this hard to believe because I've always given everything for Yorkshire and England since I set out as a 19-year-old lad."