ROGER Hutton says he is “thrilled to pieces” with his appointment as Yorkshire’s new chairman, and is able to count himself as a fan from a very young age.

Hutton was introduced to the White Rose county by his late father Robin - a second cousin of the legendary Len - in the early seventies and counts David Bairstow as his cricketing hero.

“My first memory of watching cricket was my mum and dad taking me to Headingley, in I think 1972, when I was six-years-old,” he recalled.

“It was the Roses game and Yorkshire suffered a terrible collapse.

“I think they were 30-3 and then about 90 all out. I was asking my dad whether it was a good score because I didn’t understand, and he was particularly grumpy with me. It was a pretty robust introduction to the game if I’m honest.

“My dad was Len Hutton’s second cousin. On my shelves at home, there are signed photos of Len and signed autobiographies, stuff like that. Unfortunately, I inherited none of his skills!

“The team of the early seventies was the one I grew up with, and my undoubted hero was David Bairstow. I loved him to pieces.

“He had a lot of passion and energy and would do whatever he could to win. He was exhilarating to watch.”

Hutton was appointed on April 3, and will work alongside former Yorkshire all-rounder Neil Hartley, who has been appointed vice chairman.

“We’ve got really lucky,” he said.

“I’ve known Neil through business circles for a number of years, and he’s a really nice guy. In fact, I was laughing with him the other day because I’ve got his autograph in a book somewhere.

“He’s got a great knowledge of the game. He knows exactly what it’s like to be a player and has a really good understanding of the cricket played right across the county recreationally.

“He will be a great ambassador, and his skills fit really nicely where mine are lacking.”