SUFFOLK cricket has been hit by a bombshell with news that coach Andy Brown is leaving the county to take up a role as assistant coach at Derbyshire.And he admitted today it was the hardest decision he has ever had to make.

By Elvin King

SUFFOLK cricket has been hit by a bombshell with news that coach Andy Brown is leaving the county to take up a role as assistant coach at Derbyshire.

And he admitted today it was the hardest decision he has ever had to make.

Brown's professional approach has helped turn Suffolk into one of the strongest sides in the Minor Counties Championship culminating in them winning the Knock-Out one-day trophy at Lord's this year.

He has been associated with Suffolk for seven years, and says that despite taking up a full-time position with a first-class county it was not easy for him to leave.

“Wherever I go I will never find a better bunch of lads than I worked with at Suffolk,” said Brown, who announced his decision at the players' annual dinner at Bury St Edmunds on Saturday night.

“It was the hardest decision I have ever had to make, and I welled up a bit on Saturday.

“Playing at Lord's - and winning at Lord's - has to be a big moment, but to be honest my whole time with the county has been a highlight.

“All the players have been top drawer and it has been a pleasure working with them. And the quality in the squad has been exceptional.”

Brown, a former batsman with Derbyshire, has worked well with director of cricket Kevin Brooks, the man who appointed him to the role.

Along with long-standing captain Phil Caley they have kept Suffolk at the forefront of Minor Counties cricket, winning the Eastern Division in 2005.

But the highlight was the comfortable and professional win over Cheshire - their only defeat of the season - on an unforgettable day at Lord's at the end of August.

Brown produced a video of the weekend that he presented to all the players before taking his leave on Saturday.

“Suffolk will move on I am sure,” added Brown. “They have a great administration team led by chairman Norman Atkins and Kevin Brooks' organisation is second to none.

“With pace bowler Andrew McGarry coming back from Essex and the possibility of a batting professional next year's side should be stronger than this year.”

Brown, who has been a friend of Derbyshire cricket manager John Morris for many years, has signed a two-year contract having taken the coach's role for the four-day match against Northamptonshire in September.

He plans to play a friendly against Suffolk in April after being first approached by Morris to see whether he might be interested in returning to his 'home' county 18 months ago.

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