Geoff Boycott, one of Yorkshire's greatest-ever batsmen and certainly their most controversial player, is all set to gain a place on the county club's ruling management board.

Boycott, now 65 and a Test match

commentator, has been nominated to join the board and he should be automatically elected by members at Yorkshire's

annual meeting at Headingley on March 25.

The invitation was put to Boycott by Yorkshire chairman Robin Smith, who is due to remain on the board but will

relinquish the chair, which will be taken by current chief executive Colin Graves.

Stewart Regan, the incoming chief executive, will also join the board, along with a representative of Leeds City Council, but Yorkshire's director of operations Geoff Cope is due to stand down - although he will continue to be employed by the club. Finance director Brian Bouttell will retain his place.

Although Boycott's whereabouts are unknown at the moment, he has contacted Yorkshire this week and confirmed his willingness to stand.

In a statement he said: "The Yorkshire cricketing public have always given me tremendous support and if the members feel I can contribute to the future success of the club, I will be delighted to serve on the board.

"My love for the club has been wholehearted and unquestionable throughout my life."

Nobody can deny the truth of Boycott's allegiance to Yorkshire but, for the first time, he now finds himself part of the club's establishment rather than opposed to it.

And there is a certain irony in that Yorkshire's president-elect is Bradford-born former Yorkshire and England bowler Bob Appleyard - the pair having rarely seen eye-to-eye in the past.

But Boycott no longer has to endure the pressures that were on him during his playing days, when he was also on the

committee for a while, and to get him

officially involved with Yorkshire cricket is a tremendous coup for the board.

In his playing days, Boycott used to say that his ambition was one day to become Yorkshire chairman and although that may never happen because of the changed structure of the club, he will soon be in a position of real authority.

Regan, who takes up his duties as new chief executive on March 20, said: "The addition of Geoffrey Boycott to our board is a significant move by Yorkshire and one which I am sure will be well received by our members.

"Geoffrey's experience in both cricketing and media affairs will assist the club immensely as we enter a new era of our development."

Director of cricket David Byas added: "Geoffrey has a deep knowledge of the game and I will be able to use him if I see fit. He will be a great ambassador for the club and he is always approachable and accessible."

Graves, the most powerful man in Yorkshire cricket, said: "We could not have a more high-profile figure on the board than Geoffrey, who has made runs on all the grounds and knows international cricket inside out.

"His presence will help bring in sponsors and fresh income to help pay off our debts and when Yorkshire have a big function he will be there. It is an ambassadorial role but we don't want someone on the board who is not active and this is not a token gesture.

"David Byas is director of cricket and has sole say but if David wants to use Geoffrey then that is fair enough.

"Obviously, Geoffrey will not be able to attend all the board meetings but we expect him to attend a certain number and he knows what is required."