Boycott gets contract

Press, 10 March 1984, Page 76

Boycott gets contract

NZPA London The controversial Yorkshire cricketer, Geoff Boycott, was yesterday given a one-year contract by the new county committee, six months after the previous administrators had sacked the former England opening batsman. Boycott’s dismissal sparked a bitter confrontation between the County chiefs, and his supporters — known as the Rebel 1984 Group — who successfully forced mass resignations and last week’s committee

elections. Despite gaining control of the county, the rebels were unable to swing a unanimous vote on Boycott being given a 12-month contract to coincide with his benefit year. The main dissenter was a former England and Yorkshire skipper, Brian Close, who is on the general committee and is chairman of the cricket sub-commit-tee. “I was out-voted,” said Mr Close after yesterday’s meeting. “We have had the chance of expressing our-

selves and we have resolved certain things as much as we can. “No-one is under any illusion that we are going to change and all go one way. We are all going to have our opinions and it is a case of the majority sorting it out.” Boycott, also elected to the general committee, emerged smiling from the meeting but refused to comment Mr Close said he wanted to consider further whether Boycott should serve on the new cricket sub-committee.