Club president Dickie Bird has rewarded Yorkshire’s squad for their LV= County Championship title success last year by agreeing to fund a new players’ balcony at Headingley.
Work on building the balcony, which will be situated above the sightscreen and in front of the dressing rooms in the Carnegie Pavilion at the Kirkstall Lane End, will start in the next couple of weeks.
It is expected to be completed in time for the White Rose’s Division One fixture against Warwickshire on April 26.
The 81-year-old Bird, who has been nominated to stand for a second term as club president at Yorkshire’s annual general meeting later this month, said: “These lads have given me so much pleasure over the past 12 months with their magnificent performances in the championship and I wanted to reward them for their efforts.
“I want to invest in the team and give something back. When Martyn (Moxon, director of cricket) and Mark (Arthur, chief executive) said that the players need to have their own external balcony, located directly behind the bowler’s arm, I had no hesitation in making it happen.
Harold 'Dickie' Bird explains why he is funding a new players' balcony at Headingley. http://t.co/z5pUU4KKbx#YCCChttps://t.co/bN4P8U4spH
— Yorkshire CCC (@Yorkshireccc) March 3, 2015
“They will benefit from being outside watching the cricket rather than being behind glass in the current viewing area. It will also enhance the Carnegie Pavilion and create a focal point at that side of the ground.
“I’m looking forward to seeing the project come to fruition and being around to unveil it to the players in the next couple of months. These are very exciting times for Yorkshire cricket and the club as a whole.”
Yorkshire have made great strides to develop Headingley in recent times, announcing plans to erect unique floodlights in the four corners of the ground last month.
Moxon said: “I can’t thank Dickie enough for his efforts in funding a new balcony for the team.
“The players are delighted and it will add to their comfort in preparation for performing on the field. Our current viewing gallery can get a little claustrophobic, particularly on warm days.
“Sitting outdoors will mean players get plenty of fresh air and adapt to the natural light.
“When I told the team it was happening they were very pleased and, even more so, that Dickie is funding the project.
“He is well respected in the dressing room and the fact he never misses a game is testament to his passion and love for Yorkshire cricket.”