Boycott keen to play again

Press, 7 September 1984, Page 25

Boycott keen to play again

NZPA-Reuter York The former England cricketer, Geoff Boycott, opened old wounds yesterday by stating he wanted to play for the English county club, Yorkshire, again next season. The club’s cricket committee meets next week to decide the players for 1985 and the general committee, which includes the 43-year-old veteran, must then ratify the names. If Boycott’s wish is granted, the decision could trigger another bitter struggle within the club between his supporters and those who want to see him dismissed. Last October, the county’s leading batsman was sacked despite the fact that 1984 was to be his testimonial year. But in March, after a long and bitter row, Boycott was

given a new one-year playing contract and voted on to the general committee which replaced the one that had sacked him. The old committee had resigned after club members had voted for his reinstatement and passed a vote of no confidence in the general committee. The general committee chairman, Mr Reg Kirk, stressed at the time that the

playing contract was for one season only. Mr Desmond Bailey, a cricket committee member who lost his seat in the shake-up, said yesterday that if the club retained Boycott next year in any paid capacity, a special general meeting would be called to challenge the decision.

“I believe that many of the 4000 members who did not vote then will now support the old committee,” Mr Bailey said. “I am convinced that a lot of members backed Boycott last winter because his testimonial match was involved. But now I believe he wants a two-year contract and that is ridiculous.”

But Boycott denied this yesterday. “Since 1981, I have been employed by Yorkshire on the basis of one year at a time. I would like to continue to play cricket for Yorkshire and will be happy to do so on the same basis as before. I do not seek greater security,” he said. “I have noted that some members of the old committee would wish to stop me playing for Yorkshire. I do not need to speculate on their reasons. I know it has nothing to do with my ability as a cricketer or my continued use to the club.”