Lancashire County Cricket Club is delighted to announce that John Stanworth has been appointed as the first Director of LCCC's new ECB Academy at Old Trafford. Cricket Manager Mike Watkinson commented: "This will be a vital job, helping to bring through the best of the young talent in the North-West region. John has been appointed because his coaching qualifications are second to none, his personality will come through in dealing with players parents, coaches and teachers as well as having a wide range of experience stemming from his first-class career with Lancashire."

Wicketkeeper Stanworth played for Lancashire from 1983 to 1992 and later acted as second team coach before becoming the Club's Player Development Manager.

Lancashire was one of four counties selected to earn Academy status from the ECB last April and Mike Watkinson sees it as a major step forward in the development of the region's youth talent: "It is a real boost for us and underlines the commitment we have to youth cricket. It will be of tremendous value to the best young players in the region. Just being part of the Academy concept gives you a lift and an added sense of purpose and in John Stanworth we have the ideal person in charge."

© Lancashire CCC