SUFFOLK skipper Phil Caley admits that Andy Brown will be a difficult man to replace.Over the past seven years Brown has coached the county to victory in two trophies and seen them become recognised as the most professionally-run side in the Minor Counties Championship.

By Elvin King

SUFFOLK skipper Phil Caley admits that Andy Brown will be a difficult man to replace.

Over the past seven years Brown has coached the county to victory in two trophies and seen them become recognised as the most professionally-run side in the Minor Counties Championship.

Brown has now moved on to become first team coach at Derbyshire where he was a batsman during his playing days.

“Andy will be hard to replace,” said Caley, who lifted the Minor Counties one-day trophy after their win at Lord's against Cheshire on August 27.

“We have made the step up from an amateur set-up to being a professional one, and much of the credit for achieving this must go to Andy.

“Andy has been tremendous for Suffolk and helped develop us the way that we wanted to go.

“We wish him all the best and it is a superb position for him to be in.

“He came to us from being second XI coach at Derby and is going back as full-time first team coach at Derby.”

Along with director of cricket Kevin Brooks, Brown and Caley have been the driving force behind Suffolk's success having also won the Eastern Division title in 2005.

“Suffolk has shown what Minor Counties cricket is all about - a breeding ground for the first-class game,” added Caley.

“Not only have we provided players like Chris Schofield, Andrew McGarry and Ben France for the first-class game, but we have now provided a coach as well.”

Suffolk are now considering what moves they should make in order to replace Brown, with Caley saying: “We have a few options.

“We did not have a professional last season so we could go for a player/coach in 2008.

“It is something we are considering now.”