Pearson bows out after seven years at the helm

Umpires Association secretary David Ratcliffe presents a gift to Glyn Pearson Picture: Mike Baker ©JCT600 Bradford League

Glyn Pearson has relinquished the reins after seven years as chairman of the JCT600 Bradford League Umpires Association.

He announced last year his intention to stand down and last night the members voted in long-serving Alan Carter as his replacement.

Pearson, who served on the executive for two years and spent seven years as its secretary before taking the chair, said: “It is more than time for someone with new ideas to drive the association forward.”

Pearson was presented with an engraved glass wine caraffe by association secretary David Ratcliffe.

He said: This is absolutely fabulous, I have enjoyed my time and I am sad in some ways to be giving up, but not in others.”

In his final report to members he spoke about the progress of the JCT600 Bradford League in recent years and his hopes for the future.

He also encouraged his fellow umpires to take part in additional training to develop their knowledge and skills

He said: “We live in a rapidly changing society and cricket must move forward as well. The league changed considerably in 2006. The 2007 and 2008 seasons were years of consolidation.

“In 2009 the league revised the cup and shield rules and the Twenty/20 competition was introduced.

” I do hope that the momentum is not lost and we must always be looking for ways to move forward.

“It does not matter how we think cricket should be played. What matters is what will make the league attractive to clubs, officials, sponsors and spectators in ten or 20 years time.

“If we don’t try anything we will never know whether it would have worked. The League Management Board must be pro-active in this.”

One of his concerns during his time as chairman has been discipline and he believes it is important to have a robust system which umpires have confidence in.

“Discipline is another area in which the board needs to take a more active role,” Pearson said.

“In my work with the ECB ACO I see the disciplinary procedures in the other senior leagues around the country and most of them are far more robust than those operated in our league. If we are to attract and retain umpires we must be certain that they always have the support of the league.”

He added: “A number of experienced umpires attended the two training courses as a refresher and this is commendable. I cannot emphasise too strongly the importance of this continual professional development for umpires.

“It is quite clear from the captains’ assessments that umpires who work on their game perform better than those who do not.

“I urge all of you to attend courses as often as you can and to actively look at a programme of self development. You will most certainly benefit from it.

” All practicing umpires must be members of the ECB Association of Cricket Officials. That organisation has a training programme in place and I urge all of you to put yourselves forward for the courses and thereby improve your performance

“The league is keen to support the development of umpires in this way and it can only benefit both the umpire and the league.”