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MUFC man Maurice Watkins joins Lancashire board
MEN, Chris Ostick - August 07, 2012


Maurice Watkins

Maurice Watkins has swapped one Old Trafford for another by joining the board at Lancashire.

It is a major coup for the Red Rose, with Watkins bringing with him 28 years of experience as a director and board member at United.

After joining the Reds in 1984, he played a key role in appointing Sir Alex Ferguson as manager at Old Trafford and was at the heart of the transformation which saw United become one of the biggest sporting clubs in the world.

He is the first new appointment to the Lancashire board since members agreed to change the way the club is run at an historic AGM in April.

Watkins, who is still United’s club lawyer despite stepping down from the board in June, is also chairman of the Greyhound Board of Great Britain, and interim chairman of the Rugby Football League.

His exact role at Lancashire has yet to be decided, but his wealth of knowledge and contacts in the sporting world will be of major benefit to the club as they continue to build for the future.

"The appointment of Maurice is incredible news for Lancashire,” said chairman Michael Cairns.

"He has a wealth of experience in the governance of sport including a long tenure as a director of our neighbours Manchester United.

"We are very pleased to have him on the board and his experience and commitment to the north west of England, through his directorships and charitable activities, will be of immense benefit to Lancashire as we move forward into an exciting new era."

Watkins, who was awarded a CBE in the Queen’s birthday honours list last year for his role as chairman of the Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Charity, is an avid cricket fan, is a long-term member of Lancashire and has supported the club since he was a boy.

He played cricket for Manchester Grammar School and for Hale Barns.

"It is a great honour,” said Watkins, who is a joint senior partner at Manchester-based solicitors Brabners Chaffe Street.

“Playing in the annual Lancashire v United cricket match was always one of the highlights of my year.

“I have always had a passion for cricket and have enjoyed watching Lancashire greats like Brian Statham, Cyril Washbrook, Harry Pilling and Clive Lloyd over the years.

“So to move from one side of Old Trafford to the other is a marvellous opportunity.

“Hopefully the experience I have in the governance and administration of sports through working at a major brand like United will be useful, not just at domestic level but at international level too.

“It is an exciting time at Lancashire, with all the redevelopment work going on at Old Trafford and a young side winning the Championship last season. Hopefully I will be able to help take the club forward.”