Durham director to step down at the season end

Durham County Cricket Club (DCCC) director Geoff Cook has announced that he would be stepping down from the position at the end of the ongoing season as a part of a staff restructure.

Cook, who has served the club for 27 years, nurtured the players like Paul Collingwood, Ben Stokes, and Mark Wood during his tenure as a director.

Declaring his departure, Cook said that he is proud of the kind of work he did for the club and he is privileged to have served the club for such a long time.

Highlighting his achievements with the club, the departing director stated that Durham's championship triumph in 2013 was among the big moments of his career with the team.

"It comes with a heavy heart that I am leaving my role as Director of Cricket at Durham County Cricket Club but I'm immensely proud of the work we have achieved during my 27-year stay. It's been a privilege to work at Durham for so long and the memories will be with me forever," ESPNcricinfo.com quoted Cook, as saying.

"From establishing ourselves as a first-class county to our back-to-back title wins in 2007 and 2008, and the Championship triumph in 2013 were, alongside many more, the highlights of my career," he added.

DCCC chairman Ian Botham acknowledged Cook's contributions to the team and wished him well for his future.

"Geoff is a true legend of the club and his instrumental work has had an immeasurable impact on the success of Durham County Cricket Club.

His efforts in establishing Durham as a first-class county and turning the team from newcomers to a title-winning force will never be forgotten alongside his superb coaching achievements," Botham said

"I would like to wish him the very best for the future," he added.

After spending 19 years of his county cricket career with Northamptonshire County Cricket Club, Cook joined Durham in 1991. He was appointed the head coach in 2007 and in the same year, he guided the team to Friends Provident Trophy.