Ian Botham named honorary President of Durham after his term as the chairman of the county comes to an end.
Ian Botham has been elected as honorary president of Durham, after completing a seven-year term as the club chair.
Botham, who was hired in 2017 after playing for Durham during the team’s first-class county debut seasons in 1992 and 1993, caused a stir last year when he called the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket’s (ICEC) report on cricket’s racism crisis “nonsense” and said he “threw down on the floor.”
At a Culture, Media, and Sport select committee hearing in February, ICEC chair Cindy Butts responded by telling MPs that the ECB lacked “a moral backbone” for not distancing itself from Botham’s remarks. She also mentioned that Botham had been asked to testify to the investigation but had not done so.
Speaking after the end of Botham’s Durham tenure was confirmed, ECB Chair Richard Thompson said. “Over 50 years, Lord Botham has made a huge contribution to English cricket and in particular to Durham. First as a player before returning as chair in 2017 at a very challenging time for the club.”
Collins, who joined Durham as a director and vice-chair in 2017, brings to the position more than 35 years of marketing and business experience across a range of businesses and a lifetime love of cricket.
When he takes control, Durham has returned to the top division of the County Championship after being demoted in 2016 due to a financial problem that necessitated an ECB bailout.
Botham took over as chair soon afterwards, and said in a press release from the club. “I am delighted with what has been achieved at the Club during my tenure both on and off the field.
“Our men’s team have performed superbly in recent times. This was evident with our promotion to Division One and our performances last year in the topflight.
“Our successful Tier 1 bid is huge for the region. We are absolutely delighted to bring professional women’s sport to the region.
“It’s a huge endorsement of the pathway we already have at Durham. The potential of the region and our squad and coaching staff is coming together very nicely.
“I look forward to working with Phil to achieve our goals and build on our successes. I wish him all the best as our new Club Chair.”