Former Yorkshire off-spinner, Peter Whiteley, will be the next President of the Yorkshire CCC Players’ Association.
He will succeed Barrie Leadbeater whose two-year term of office will be completed next Spring.
Peter was unanimously voted in as President-elect when members of the Association held their annual general meeting by postal ballot, the Corona virus preventing the meeting taking place at Emerald Headingley Stadium on April 1.
Born in Otley on February 28, 1955, Peter could hardly have asked for a more promising start to his first class career. Making his debut against Glamorgan at Abbeydale Park in July, 1978, he enjoyed a match return of seven for 86 to help Yorkshire gain victory by an innings and 99 runs.
He finished that season with 22 wickets at 21.59 and in his four summers with the first team he collected 70 wickets in 45 matches at 34.42.
Peter also had an outstanding record with Yorkshire Seconds for whom he captured 239 wickets between 1972-83 and he was also a loyal and successful player for Harrogate for many years.
The Players’ Association’s members voted unanimously in favour of all the resolutions that were on the annual meeting agenda.
The Management Committee elections saw Geoff Cope re-elected as secretary; David Ryder as treasurer, and David Warner as press officer. Howard Cooper retired by rotation and offered himself for re-election and was re-elected.
Jim Love retired by rotation as a member of the Discretionary Fund and was re-elected as was Richard Hutton as auditor.
Yorkshire chief executive, Mark Arthur, was made an honorary life member in appreciation of his unstinting support for the Association.
The Association have organised several social events for the current year but the corona virus means that all will be subject to change.
Chairman Neil Hartley was unable to give a report because of the cancellation of the meeting but in a message to members he says: “Despite the fact that we were unable to convene our AGM at Emerald Headingley as planned, I was very pleased that the membership were able to use technology to vote and assist in completing our formal business.
“The committee very much appreciates the re-election of its current members who had retired by rotation and I’m sure the continuity that this offers will be of benefit moving forward.
“I’m also particularly pleased that our nominations for the Presidency, Peter Whiteley, in 2021 and honorary life member status for Mark Arthur were very well supported.
“Both of these gentlemen have my greatest respect and it will be terrific to formally recognise their enhanced status within our Association in due course and when we are able to meet again.
“Overall, 2019 was a successful and enjoyable year but the icing on the cake surely had to be our annual Test match Sunday gathering to watch that remarkable England win created brilliantly by Ben Stokes.
“As the day and the game developed throughout the afternoon, the number of members and guests standing on the fourth floor balcony of the Carnegie Pavilion increased as what appeared impossible became the possible. What an atmosphere and outcome.
“These Test Match gatherings have always been well supported affairs but this was extra special and of course I wish to record our continued thanks to Mark Arthur for his wonderful hospitality.
“This year looks and feels very different to previous years and the current worldwide threat to life from the Coronavirus means, perhaps, that our diary of events and cricket in general will take a back seat for the time being.
“Cricket will be back we hope in the not too distant future and our Association will continue to thrive alongside a buoyant and successful county club.
“I am personally keen to increase our member numbers and in particular I’d like to see whether in 2020 we can progress the integration of members from the Yorkshire ladies’ cricket fraternity.
“We now have our own Facebook page and hopefully will use that social media vehicle to share more information and updates regarding our activities and plans.
“I’d like to thank David Ryder and Geoff Cope In their respective roles as treasurer and secretary as well as the officers who have assisted so ably during the last 12 months.
“Geoff has also had an outstanding first year as President of the Yorkshire County Cricket Club and I just hope that his second term is as enjoyable and successful. You have been a great ambassador.
“Keep safe and well in these difficult times and let us meet again very soon.”
