October 05 Saturday 2002
Morgan named new ECB chairman

LONDON: The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced on Friday that David Morgan had been appointed their new chairman.

Morgan, deputy to current chairman Lord MacLaurin and head of the First-Class Forum, will take over the post on January 1 next year after receiving the backing of the 39 members of the ECB.

Morgan, a former industrialist in the south Wales steel industry, became involved in cricket when he joined the committee of Glamorgan Cricket Club in 1980, eventually becoming chairman.

"I fully intend to provide firm leadership for the game, but I have a natural consultative style and will always be receptive to listening to, if not always embracing, the views of others," Morgan said. "Cricket in England and Wales has made enormous strides forward under Ian MacLaurin in the six years since the ECB were created to succeed the old Test and County Cricket Board, the Cricket Council and the National Cricket Association.

"There is much to celebrate, but still much more to be achieved.
Cricket is very much the national summer sport and we must ensure it remains so. We have no automatic right to occupy this position, and will continue to be innovative, progressive and 'inclusive' in the way we manage and develop the sport.

"My priorities for the future will revolve around continuing the support for the England team; helping to build on the many strengths of first-class county cricket and ensuring that the grassroots of the game continue to be encouraged.

"Cricket has a huge future and I look forward to playing my own small part in delivering this."