Yorkshire today issued a full and frank apology to former Yorkshire and England cricketer Bob Appleyard for accusing him in a Press release last week of "racial implications" in his criticism of the Sir Leonard Hutton Gates which include Asian women portrayed in one of the friezes.

A statement released by Yorkshire from Headingley today said: "The Club deplores the inference, which it acknowledges the Press release contains, that Bob Appleyard's criticism of the design was racially motivated and wishes to apologise unreservedly to him and to his wife and family for the distress which the publication of the release has caused.

"Through his career and down to the present day, Bob Appleyard has been an exemplary supporter of Yorkshire cricket and of cricket development for youngsters throughout the county, irrespective of race, colour or creed.

"He started the Sir Leonard Hutton Foundation in order to raise funds for the Yorkshire Charitable Youth Trust and makes substantial grants in support of youth cricket and the Enjoy Cricket scheme now operating in 40 centres throughout Yorkshire."

The statement goes on to say that Appleyard was also a prime mover behind the foundation of the Yorkshire Academy which aimed to mature young cricketers of talent whatever their racial origin and that he played a significant part in the conservation of Bradford Park Avenue as a major cricket ground, now the home of the Bradford-Leeds Universities Centre of Excellence.

"Nobody can have done more than Bob Appleyard to promote cricket among all sections of the Yorkshire community," it concludes.

The statement was prepared following a meeting at Headingley on Sunday evening between Yorkshire president, Robin Smith, Appleyard and Richard Hutton, son of Sir Leonard."I accept in full Yorkshire's apology," said Appleyard today.

Updated: 09:24 Tuesday, August 07, 2001