The mystery over Anthony McGrath's decision to quit Yorkshire has deepened with confirmation by the county club that the Bradford-born batsman had been offered a benefit in an attempt to persuade him to stay.

McGrath has already insisted that financial considerations had nothing to do with his decision to quit and turning down the chance of a benefit could well have cost him in excess of £100,000.

Yorkshire fans have always regarded McGrath as a genuine local product who has given outstanding service to the club and many have been sympathetic with the abrupt way in which he was ditched by England.

With popular players like Arnie Sidebottom and Martyn Moxon each netting more than £100,000 in their benefit seasons, McGrath could have reasonably expected to rake in a six-figure sum.

In addition to a benefit, McGrath has also rejected Yorkshire's invitation to captain the side along with the offer of an enhanced and extended contract.

Now he and his agents, Athletes 1, whose managing director is David Ligertwood, the former Surrey and Durham player, face possible legal action from Yorkshire over his breach of contract.

McGrath continues to remain silent over his future and whether he intends to remain in cricket but it would seem unlikely that he can be financially better off than if he had stayed with Yorkshire.

Yorkshire chief executive Stewart Regan declined to say which year would have been set aside for McGrath's benefit but the player made his first-class debut in 1995 and was capped in 1999.

Under normal circumstances, McGrath would probably have been awarded a benefit in 2009, ten years after receiving his cap, but this could have been brought forward to next year.

Regan also confirmed that McGrath's decision to sever his contract meant that Yorkshire were now looking to sign two further batsmen rather than just one.

Pakistan's Younis Khan has replaced Darren Lehmann but Yorkshire also want to fill the gaps left by the departures of left-hander Michael Lumb to Hampshire and McGrath.

"We are making very good progress towards signing a couple of players and I am quite optimistic but I cannot say any more at this stage," said Regan, who added that Yorkshire had got a preferred option regarding the captaincy and an announcement would be made when appropriate.

Meanwhile, Bradford League president Keith Moss told the T&A that he was very disappointed that a player as talented as McGrath should find it necessary to leave Yorkshire.

Moss, who as Yorkshire chairman from 1998-2002 was largely responsible for much of the redevelopment at Headingley Carnegie, said: "I don't know the ins and outs of the dispute between McGrath and Yorkshire but I am deeply sorry that some form of agreement could not have been reached.

"When it comes to an impasse like this, no one is the winner and I am very sad because I have always held McGrath in very high regard.

"It was always a pleasure to watch him play in the Bradford League whenever his county duties permitted him to do so and he has always acquitted himself extremely well."