Paul Grayson ends association with Essex after 19 years
Wednesday 2 September 2015 18:04, UK
Essex have announced the departure of head coach Paul Grayson with immediate effect.
Grayson, who had been involved with the county as a player or coach for nearly 20 years, has left by mutual consent with assistant Chris Silverwood taking over for the remainder of the season.
He joined Essex from home county Yorkshire in 1996 and spent time as captain when Ronnie Irani was away with England, eventually retiring from the playing ranks at the end of the 2005 season because of injury.
Grayson spent a year coaching the Second XI before he became head coach in 2007, winning the Friends Provident Trophy in his second full season in charge.
He was also at the helm as Essex secured promotion to Division One of the LV= County Championship in 2009 with a final-day victory over Derbyshire.
Grayson said: "I have had 19 wonderful years at Essex CCC, both as a player and as a coach, but I now feel the time is right for a new challenge.
"I would like to thank the cricket committee for their trust and support over the years, in particular John Faragher, Graham Gooch, David Acfield, Keith Fletcher and Nigel Hilliard. A special thank you to Graham Saville, who brought me to Essex and has showed loyal support to me, for which I will always be grateful.
"Thank you also to the loyal supporters who understand the vision of the club and the development of Essex's own players. I have always been a strong supporter of the club's policy of developing our own players into first-class cricketers and it is a pleasure to see so many doing well in the game.
"I would like to thank the players for their hard work and dedication, particularly the three captains I have worked with; Mark Pettini, James Foster and Ryan ten Doeschate."
