Left-arm spin gem Wilson accepts President's Jewel

Former Yorkshire and England slow left-arm spinner Don Wilson was installed as President of Yorkshire CCC Players’ Association at the 2008 annual meeting with Director of Cricket Martyn Moxon voted in as President-Elect.

Association chairman Bryan Stott said: “Don was thrilled to bits to be elected, and is a tremendous ambassador for Yorkshire County Cricket Club.

“Don wears the President’s jewel with great pride, and he makes a point of attending our social events whenever he possibly can.”

Bryan said he was delighted that Martyn, who was Yorkshire captain from 1990 to 1995, had agreed to become their next President:

"It means that the association has been able to move away from the older generation of Yorkshire cricketers to the middle area - and with Martyn we have a direct link with the present generation of players.

"We could not ask for two better figureheads than we have at the moment.”

The association are finalising plans for their first fund-raising dinner - which will be held in the East Stand Long Room at Headingley Carnegie Cricket Ground on Wednesday, October, 15.

Guest speakers will be Kevin Connolly and Billy Bean - and former Yorkshire left-arm paceman Mike Cowan will act as MC.

Bryan explained: "While the basic concept of our association is to generate a continuing line of fellowship and communication between successive generations of Yorkshire county cricketers, our aim in this instance is to establish a fund by which our collective experience may be of some help in furthering the game of cricket in Yorkshire.

“It promises to be a brilliant night of fun and cricket nostalgia, and tickets at £35 each can be obtained by contacting Yorkshire Marketing Executive Hayley Wood on 0113-2033632."

Bryan said the association’s membership now stood at about 70 - and he appealed for more former players to join and enjoy the activities, including getting together on the first day of each home Championship match.

“I would also like to pay personal thanks to Philip Hodson and Oval Insurance Company for the tremendous support they have given to the association since it was formed,” Bryan said. "Their financial support has been much appreciated by all, and has given us a sound base to work from.”

The association’s summer lunch will be held at Headingley Carnegie Cricket Ground on Sunday, June 29 - the first day of the Championship match against Durham - when guests will include former Yorkshire President Sir Lawrence Byford, Lady Byford, and the chairman of Yorkshire Schools’ Cricket Association, Dr Bernard Knowles.

The annual Gibson Cup golf tournament for past and present players was held at Hawksworth Golf Club in April, and was won by former Yorkshire batsman Jim Love.

DAVID WARNER

Three wise men: Yorkshire Players' Association chairman Bryan Stott, left, congratulates Don Wilson on succeeding to the President's Jewel, with secretary Geoff Cope, right.