Yorkshire's Chief Executive Chris Hassell today expressed his disappointment at the comments made by former player and Honorary Life Member Bob Appleyard in relation to the Asian spectators incorporated in the design of the Gates commissioned as a memorial to Sir Leonard Hutton.

"The Gates I am sure everyone will agree will be a fitting tribute to Sir Leonard's contribution to Yorkshire and English cricket. However, the racist implications of Appleyard's criticisms are totally unacceptable and the Club immediately distances itself from him and those associating themselves with him".

Chrysalis Arts were commissioned to design the gates and the statement from Kate Maddison outlines the design process. The Club accepts her interpretation of the brief and the Committee approved the design at their recent meeting."

Headingley has staged International cricket for more than one hundred years and scenes of Asian supporters are an important part of its history as well as its future. Teams and spectators of any nationality are always welcome at Headingley and any suggestion to the contrary is firmly rejected.

ENDS.

(1/8/01)