Former Yorkshire and England captain Brian Close was yesterday clean bowled by Tony Vann who knocked him off the Yorkshire committee.

Members of Yorkshire learned at the club's annual meeting in Harrogate today that Vann had ousted Close in Central District, which includes Bradford, by polling 707 votes to 611.

The result was a stunning blow to the 67-year-old who lives in Baildon and his bad luck on Friday the 13th followed close behind a knee operation and a car accident earlier in the week.

But Close is no stranger to rejection by his native county who sacked him in1970 because of his dislike of one-day cricket.

Close went on to lead Somerset with great distinction, but once his playing days were over he renewed his interest in Yorkshire and was returned unopposed to the committee in 1984 during the Geoff Boycott resolution.

Close, who had a long spell as chairman of the Cricket Committee, has for the past year served on the public relations and membership committee.

After the count had taken place at Headingley, Close said: "It is a sad day for me but life goes on and I will now have more time for charity golf and cricket..

"It saddens me that we are now down to two ex-players on the Yorkshire committee but I don't think I will stand again because Keith Moss and David Storr do valuable work for the club and I don't want to do the dirty on them.

"The way English cricket is going I probably have more chance of making a playing comeback than getting on the committee again!"

In North District, Harrogate-based Eric Houseman resumed his committee service after a break by beating Scarborough's Robert Hilliam who has been on since 1984.

Jack Sokell, was returned for three years in South District, and Stuart Anderson for one.

Tony Cawdry easily held on to his seat in West District where he polled 593 votes.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.