County cricket in Yorkshire has suffered over the last couple of seasons due to differing views and politics within the dressing room and club. So much that Anthony McGrath commented on how unbearable it had become to play for the county. However the return and appointment of local star 'Dazzler' Darren Gough as Yorkshire captain and the subsequent appointments of Martyn Moxon [director of cricket] and Anthony McGrath [vice captain] has instilled a fresh outlook, both for the club and its fans. | "My first job was trying to lift the team spirit and get it back to what it used to be" | | Darren Gough |
Gough has been one of England's most liked characters in recent cricketing history, and has already appeared to turn around the club's attitude and outlook, but also confirmed he is hoping to also play for his hometown team, Barnsley: "I'm gonna play for Barnsley when I'm available... go back to my roots and play for Barnsley when I can, so I'll be playing in South Yorkshire at some stage." On skippering Yorkshire "It means a lot, it's where I'm from and I'm a Barnsley boy, born and bred. I played for the football team there all the way through the youth level, I played for Yorkshire in cricket as a schoolboy. "To comeback after three years away as captain is great. I never thought it would happen. I'm really pleased with how it's going.
 | | Gough: raised spirits at Headingley |
"I've had a great reception, and I think the dancing actually helped that one [laughs]. I've been quite popular since I got back, there's been a buzz about the place and everybody's been very positive. "All people were worried about originally is how many games I'd play. Let's just hope I don't pick up a hamstring or groin strain in pre-season which I'm hoping I wont, other than that I'll be playing most of the games. "I'm a leader, I lead by example, I never get in trouble, I good with discipline and tactically I've been around playing my game now for 18 years. I just need to get a little experience of doing it day in, day out on the field.
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"I've got plenty of people around me who can advise me. I wont blame anybody else, I'll take the responsibility and do it my way." Yorkshire's prospects under Gough "My first job was trying to lift the team spirit and get it back to what it used to be, every player believing they might be in that squad to play in the first team. "If they don't play explain to them why they're not playing, and not leave them to rot in the second team. All I'm expecting is for them to come to cricket and enjoy it, and the rest will look after itself. On Anthony McGrath
 | | McGrath would have left had Gough not re-joined |
McGrath captained the county in 2003 spent much of the winter in a contract dispute with Yorkshire CCC, but the matter was resolved by Gough: "He said If I signed, he'll sign. He stuck to his word and signed the day after. He's happy with my appointment and my first job was to appoint him as vice captain. He's ambitious and loves challenges." | 
