Philip Akroyd, one of the longest serving members on Yorkshire's general committee, has resigned his seat as a West District representative as tensions continue to surface over cuts to the playing staff.

Akroyd, a member of the club's cricket sub committee, was apparently unhappy with some aspects of last Thursday's meeting of the general committee when the release of six players was confirmed.

His letter of resignation was accepted when the general committee met again at Headingley yesterday to discuss further ways of reducing the wages bill.

Although nothing positive emerged from this latest meeting, further action regarding next season's playing staff may be announced later.

Akroyd gained his seat on the committee in 1984 during the Geoff Boycott revolution and has been one of its most committed workers, representing the club at numerous cricket events.

He was Dewsbury's representative until the committee was restructured when he became one of four representatives in West District.

Yorkshire chief executive Chris Hassell said that Akroyd's resignation had been accepted with regret and a casual vacancy now existed in West District. An election will take place among West members as soon as possible and the successful candidate will sit until next year's annual meeting when Akroyd would have retired by rota.

Updated: 08:43 Tuesday, September 04, 2001