Sportsupdated 1h ago3 min read
Archive photo · 23 July 2009Lancashire Cricket Considers Farewell For James Anderson After Members Protest His Departure
“Lancashire will look into organising a farewell for bowler James Anderson amid fan unrest over his departure from the club.”
“but there will be no farewell from the county for which he debuted in 2001”
Photo: Parrot of Doom, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Cropped for layout
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Lancashire released James Anderson after 25-year spell; no 2027 contract offered. Club is considering a farewell for Anderson amid member protests.
Farewell considered after release
Lancashire Cricket Club is considering organising a farewell for veteran fast bowler James Anderson after protests by members over his departure from the county. Lancashire released the 44-year-old England all-time leading wicket-taker last week after he represented the club since 2001, and the decision dominated a tense meeting between the club’s management and about 200 members at Old Trafford on Monday. Chief Executive Richard Kenyon and incoming Director of Cricket Paul Farbrace agreed to explore ways of addressing concerns raised by members who said the end-of-season decision denied fans the chance to thank Anderson for his contributions.
Paul Farbrace reiterated that the club wanted to build a squad capable of winning the County Championship within four years and said he did not believe Anderson, who turns 45 next year, would contribute to that objective. Anderson captained Lancashire in the County Championship last season, took 50 wickets, and was named Lancashire’s Championship Player of the Year despite the club finishing second from bottom in Division Two.
Anderson reacts, fans push back
James Anderson expressed disappointment after Lancashire’s exit decision, and he used Instagram to confirm the reports circulating in the English press. Anderson wrote, "I’ve supported Lancashire since I was kid, and so to get to play for them for 25 years was a dream come true," and he added, "if it was up to me it wouldn’t have ended like this, but I wish the players and fans all the best for the future." The BBC said the topic dominated a tense meeting at Old Trafford on Monday evening, with many members angered by the decision and some upset that it denied fans the chance to thank Anderson for his service.
Paul Farbrace joined the meeting via video from his holiday in the United States and was understood to have taken ownership of the decision when taking questions from members. Nasser Hussain told Sky Sports that he did not think Anderson was one of the club’s problems, saying, "I personally think Lancashire are a better side with a 44-year-old Anderson than without."
Rebuild plans and next steps
Lancashire’s hierarchy framed Anderson’s release as part of a rebuild, with Paul Farbrace saying he and Richard Kenyon met with Anderson on October 19 to inform him of their decision. Farbrace said, "I spoke to Jimmy about our ambitions to rebuild our men’s squad that is capable of securing promotion from Division Two of the County Championship and then challenging to win Division One over the next three to four years," and he added that Lancashire informed Anderson it would not extend his playing contract for the 2027 season. The Lancashire Evening Post said the club confirmed Anderson would not be offered a new contract, bringing an end to his 25-year spell with the club after he took 443 wickets in 112 First-Class appearances.
The BBC reported that a number of counties have expressed an interest in signing the veteran for next season, and the Fox Sports account said clubs in both divisions of the County Championship would be interested in negotiating with Anderson. The uncertainty over Anderson’s future remained as he stopped short of announcing retirement after his first public comment since the decision, while Lancashire considered organising a farewell for him amid fan unrest.