Cricket: Willis in frame for Surrey job

SURREY promised last night to sort out their off-field problems and appoint a director in charge of cricket policy, with candidates including the former England captain, Bob Willis.

The county was thrown into turmoil following the sacking of their coach, Geoff Arnold, last month. Then Alec Stewart announced he would not make a decision about the captaincy until the internal wrangling had been sorted out.

There had been a clash between the management board and the cricket sub-committee over the departure of Arnold, overall cricket policy and the rejection of the cricket sub- committee's report on the county's future.

'Things are being sorted out, we've had an amicable meeting today between the management board and the cricket sub-committee and we are now looking ahead together for the future.' Glyn Woodman, the chief executive, said. 'We want to try to bring success back to Surrey on the playing field.'

The position of the cricket committee chairman, Arnold Long, who was apparently asked to resign last month, has still not been resolved, but Woodman promised the appointment of a cricket director within the next few days and there will be a further meeting between himself and members of the cricket sub-committee later next week.

Four former Surrey players have been linked to the post of cricket director: Robin Jackman, Ian Greig, Willis and the current assistant coach, Grahame Clinton.

Woodman added: 'We've had some turbulent times but we had a job to do. We are a large club and we expect success.'

Derbyshire yesterday announced a record loss of more than pounds 120,000 in the 12 months to 30 September. The previous year yielded a pounds 20,000 profit.

Kent yesterday announced record profits for the second successive year. The pounds 95,000 profit is a 25 per cent increase on the previous year.