Wilson becomes first Cumbrian MCCA president (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Wilson becomes first Cumbrian MCCA president

3:03pm Wednesday 18th January 2012 in Cricket By Patrick O'Kane, Senior News/Sport Reporter

FORMER Netherfield cricketer Alan Wilson has been elected president of the Minor Counties Cricket Association.

Wilson, 69, of Parkside Road, Kendal, was approached by the MCCA in the summer and becomes the first Cumbria to be appointed to the role in the association’s 75-year history.

Wilson had spent 15 years as chairman of cricket with the association but retired from the role in 2009 following the death of his son Alister.

But two years on, Wilson said he was ready to step back into the cricketing world. He told the Westmorland Gazette: “I have always been with one club and one county. I played for Netherfield between the ages of 12 and 52 and never anyone else.

“I have managed to do a lot in cricket and the MCCA have given me the chance to keep putting something back. This is a great honour for me to be able to represent Netherfield and Cumberland.”

Wilson, a former right-handed batsman, who doubled up as a right-arm medium pace bowler, represented Cumberland and was the first captain to take the county into the Natwest Trophy in 1984, where they competed against Derbyshire.

Wilson’s role as president will run for a three-year stand and he will be asked to represent the MCCA at functions, while also attending management meetings. He will also make the presentation at the MCCA Championship final and at the National Knockout Trophy final.

He added: “It is very much more of a PR role but I will be expected to travel around the country to member clubs so it should be an interesting few years. The fact I am the first in the county to achieve this role is certainly an honour.”