Key figures at Durham County Cricket Club have told of their jubilation at the team’s historic achievement over the weekend.

Gavin Havery reports.

OFFICIALS will greet the County Championshipwinning side at the Riverside in Chester-le-Street today.

They will give the squad a rousing send-off as they leave the ground for the club’s end-ofseason dinner after watching them popping champagne on the pitch for the first time as champions.

Club chairman Clive Leach said: “It is a fantastic achievement by everybody and a great example of what you can do by pulling together.

“We have got a lot of people who are totally committed to the club, and a lot of senior people have settled in here marvellously.

“When I first took over in 2004, the previous 11 years were pretty disastrous in terms of playing, but I really did think we could do it.

“Geoff Cook (director of cricket) has been sensational and we have had a lot of togetherness now. That is why we are the number one club in the country.

“We are right up there with the best of them, and we are going to show them that this is not just a flash-in-the-pan.”

Don Robson, the founding chairman and former leader of Durham County Council, whose dream it was to bring First- Class cricket to County Durham, met the triumphant players yesterday to congratulate them.

He said: “It is a tremendous result and marks the end of a dream and the start of a new one.

“The players are over the moon and feel they have done what has been expected of them. The young kids are just as much a part of the team as the veterans and it really is remarkable.

“When we started in 1992, we had four schools playing cricket and now we have 400, and that tells you something.

“The Northern Echo has been very supportive and we have been very grateful for that. It has been exceptional.

“Last year, we won the FA Cup and this year we have won the Premier League. The challenge now is to keep on winning.”

Politicians and civic leaders are today expected to discuss ways to celebrate the club’s success.

Durham County Council chairman Len O’Donnell said he had always been confident that Durham would make its presence felt in First-Class cricket. He said: “The club has fought its way up from being new boys of the first-class game to a point where it is now one of the most respected clubs in the country, with one of the finest grounds and some of the very best players in international cricket.

“Its achievements have not only brought great credit to County Durham and to the North-East, but have given us worldwide publicity and a new focus of pride.

“To win the County Championship is the icing on the cake. Congratulations lads...

all Durham is proud of you.”

The sentiments were echoed by former England selector David Graveney.

He said: “It is the most outstanding achievement that shows the team’s strength and depth.

“There have been a few guys who have been there from the beginning like Geoff Cook, so it is wonderful for them.

“It is great for everyone who has been there from the beginning of the professional period.

“They have got an international stadium and now Durham is the best in the country.

“Durham have brought themselves to the fore and it has a reputation as a tough cricket ground. They have shown that they are the best domestic team.

“It shows to sides with more history that the younger teams can do it.

“Passion for sports in general is very deep and intense.

“This will make young lads aspire to play for Durham.”

Newcastle Falcons director of rugby Steve Bates also congratulated the club.

He said: “Everyone knows what a hotbed of sport the North-East is, and Durham deserve all the plaudits they get for the manner in which they have won the competition.

“On the back of last year’s Friends Provident Trophy victory, the County Championship represents a just reward for their efforts, and from everyone at Newcastle Falcons, we say congratulations on your success.”