AT least seven candidates will battle it out for the four places available for elected representatives on the new Yorkshire County Cricket Club members' committee which will come into being at the club's annual meeting at Headingley in March.

The other four members of the committee will be appointed by the management board which is now in complete control of Yorkshire's affairs.

Four of the eight candidates - Eric Houseman (Harrogate), Sid Fielden (Doncaster), Tony Cawdry (Halifax) and Robert Hilliam (Scarborough) - served on the old general committee before it was formally abolished at last month's extraordinary general meeting.

The three other candidates are former committee member David Tunbridge from Chesterfield and Leeds-based Simon Parsons, former chairman of the now defunct Headingley Is Home Action Group, and Rob Lolley, former chairman of the Yorkshire Cricket Supporters' Association.

The new members' committee will have no direct powers but will be responsible for promoting communications with members and for maintaining good relations with businesses and supporters as well as hosting matches.

Updated: 11:48 Thursday, January 02, 2003