YORKSHIRE ANNOUNCE THE RETURN OF CAPTAIN GOUGH

By JMB
February 28 2007

Yorkshire County Cricket Club have confirmed today that Darren Gough will return to the club as captain. Gough, who last played for the club in 2003 said that he wcouldn't wait for the opportunity to captain the side and was looking forward to the challenge.

Darren Gough said: 'Today I thought would never happen when I left a few years ago. I got the chance to ve captain then and unfortunately circumstances took me away. Today is a very proud day. I've come back as Yorkshire captain following some great players and I can't wait for the opportunity. There are some exciting things happening at this club. They've had a disappointing winter, in the news lots, but they had a good year last year, lots of profit, stands coming up around the ground, the Academy is getting better and better, we've got some excellent coaches and I'm just looking forward to the challenge.'

Gough added: 'We've got some tremendous players, young and old, and I think with the blend we've got I think we've got a good chance this year of putting in some good performances - I'm not saying we're going to win trophies. I'm here to bring enthusiasm, I'm here to bring my knowledge from over the last eighteen years of playing cricket. I've had lots of ups and a few downs so I know how to deal with players and talk to them rather than be aggressive. I've learnt from the captains I've played under over the years, especially the last three years at Essex playing under Ronnie Irani Hopefully by the time I leave here, whether than be in 2 or 3 years time we'll have got the structure on board to go on and keep winning trophies like we used to do years and years ago.'

Colin Graves, Yorkshire's chairman said: 'One of the highlights of me being at Yorkshire was getting to know Darren Gough. There was nobody more disappointed than me when Darrem had to leave for family reasons. When the opportunity came to talk to Darren and try and get him to come back to Yorkshire then I took it with both hands. To me there is nobody in the game that has got as much enthusiasm, knowledge and is as dedicated as Darren Gough is. The one thing Darren put across to me was that he felt he had unfinished business at Yorkshire. The board were unanimous that as soon as we had the chance to sign Darren we were behind that decision. It's a fantastic day for Yorkshire County Cricket Club, I'm highly delighted that Goughie's back with us and I'll look forward to him bringing all of his enthusiasm and knowledge to Yorkshire County Cricket Club and getting us back to where we should be.'

The 36-year-old Barnsley born fast bowler has spent the last three seasons with Essex. Gough left Yorkshire in January 2004 saying that he wanted to spend more time with his children who had moved south.

Gough first played for Yorkshire in 1989 at the age of 18 and has claimed almost 500 first class scalps in a Yorkshire shirt. The manner of his departure to Essex left a sour note in some fans minds but Gough is confident he can make a difference to his native county.

Gough has played 58 Test matches for England and 159 one day internationals taking a total of 464 internationals wickets.

The Corridor of Uncertainty will be interviewing Darren this evening in his first full conversation since returning to the club. That interview will appear on this site and on the official site and if you are quick feel free to enter any questions you have in the thread below. Due to time constraints we cannot guarantee the will all be asked.

OTHER QUESTIONS ASKED AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE

Q. You are 36 and have had injuries - why have you decided to play on?

A. Why, because I love the game. If I didn't love the game I wouldn't play. I'm not one of them players that as soon as the finish with England decide that's it and never touch a cricket ball or bat again. I'm not like that. I'm Darren Gough, I'm different to them and I love the game. When I finish this contract I'm under now I'll be playing for some pub team or some team in a local league. I love the game of cricket. I'm always looking for challenges in my life. It was a challenge when I joined Essex and I enjoyed it and it's a challenge to come back as captain of Yorkshire - the biggest accolade for me you could ask. I think it's the biggest challenge. At my age I need a challenge and this is definitely one.

Q. You say it's a big challange. Some have described Yorkshire as a club in turmoil given what's happened with certain players coming and then deciding against it this winter. What can you bring to the table to turn this clubs fortunes around?

A. When I played here we had lots of fun, we played well and had lots of discipline. It's always been said that Yorkshire had a great team spirit but something's going wrong - they've had around 10 players leave over the last six years who have not been happy. So we're going to bring some enjoyment back to it, talking to players as friends rather than their boss. I want to get everyone together, the coaches included and hopefully we can go forward. Like I say we've got some excellent players and everyone knows what I'm like - I'm a winner, I don't like losing, but I'm willing to take the long road there to get it. I'm not looking for a quick fix. I'm looking at things that can help this club for the next 10 or 20 years.

Q. Is it the biggest challenge of your career?

A. Well after the dancing yeah. It's a big challenge, we won't be doing dance lessons but I'm looking forward to pre-season. I've already spoken to the fitness guys and what they've got some good things lines up. We've got a trip abroad, only for 5 days, but it'll get the lads to get to know each other again and let them know the way I want to captain the side and what I want to bring. I want us to trust each other and bring that enjoyment back that everyone associates with Yorkshire County Cricket Club.

Q. It's been mentioned that you are 36-years-old, how long is the contract that you've signed?

A. (Stewart Regan jumps in) The contract that Darren's signed is a two year contract. He's got a one year option to exit that contract subject to how he performs and how he feels.

Q. How confident are you you can play a full season?

A. I was expecting that one. I think realistically to play every game is going to be difficult, but last year I missed 2 games before the injury when I got picked for England again. I'm hoping to play most of the games. Obviously there might come a time with the injury I've got where I might have to miss one game, but I'm totally confident in the players we've got and I'll be there as a leader and there to install enthusiasm and hopefully we can get a side together that over the next 2 or 3 years are going to start winning games. With some of the players we've got and the younger players coming through I'm definitely excited - the Academy's got some great players. Some of the guys are coming on who I saw when they were 15. They are now 19 and 20 and have developed and hopefully they can get a place in the team.

Q. About Anthony McGrath (inaudible on the TV)

A. Anthony McGrath is someone I respect. I've played against him and with him. I think he's a terrfic player and he will be a great player to have with me at Yorkshire County Cricket Club over the next few years. Hopefully that issue will get sorted and hopefully he'll still be a Yorkshire player next year. I'm confident in it but that's not my decision. I've already spoke to him, I want him to play here and it's his decision now and I'm sure he'll make it very shortly.

Q. Largely inaudible question about vice-captaincy.

A. I don't think it matters who does the job. I've got 10 guys out there who could do it. They'll all be proud to pull on the Yorkshire shirt, they'll all be proud to be vice-captain and captain, and if I asked everyone of them if they'd do it they'd all say yes. so I'm not worried about that. I know what you are saying - it is nice to have that before the season starts. At Essex Ronnie captained and I was vice-captain. When he was injured or rested I captained the side and it was vice versa and we had a good relationship. I haven't made that decision yet, I've got to look at the squad. Obviously I want someone who knows what he's doing, I want a leader and I'll look for that in the first two weeks of the season. With the help of the coaches hopefully we'll find a suitable candidate.

Q. Explain to those of us not from Yorkshire what it's like to play for this county?

A. Well it runs through my veins. It's Yorkshire. I always wanted to be, well when I couldn't be a footballer, I wanted to be a cricket player. To play for Yorkshire was a big dream for me and I did that. I played with some of the coaches we've got at the club. I played here for 15 years. I'm passionate. I know the supporters are very passionate. I've been on the good end and bad end of that over the years. Mainly when I was with England. The circumstances are different now. I'm not an England player - I'm Yorkshire County Cricket Club captain and I can't wait for that opportunity. I've been wabting to do it all my life. Colin asked me a few years ago to do it, but I had to leave at that time. I've come back now and have the opportunity to captain the greatest county in England and I'll be very proud.

Q. About the World Cup.

A. Darren said he was disappointed not to be there but that he was right behind the team.


THE CORRIDOR'S MESSAGE

The Corridor welcomes Dazzler back with open arms and will back him all the way as he brings his unique brand of charisma, commitment and confidence to the Yorkshire dressing room. It is true that not everything in the garden was rosey when Darren left the club in 2004. Everyone is different, everyone makes decisions that suit them best at the time, but not everyone brings to the club what Darren can give us. Today's news should be seen as the re-signing of a true Yorkshireman whose pride in the white rose county and his will to win (particularly with the captaincy) is something that money just cannot buy.

Welcome home Darren!