AS a proud supporter of Yorkshire cricket, the last few weeks have been extremely traumatic.

The institutional racism of some players and staff at the club, combined with a wholly inadequate investigation into events, have left the club with a tarnished reputation which will take many years to regain.

But racism is not a new issue and for too long it has simply been ignored or tolerated.

In 1982, I was playing for a York club when one of the opposition opening batsman, who was of Asian descent and had been scoring very freely, was run out whilst backing up by the bowler. The bowler then racially abused him as he walked off.

I asked my captain if he was going to allow the bowler to stay on the pitch. He replied that he was. I told the captain that, if the bowler stayed, I would walk off in protest. As the bowler was allowed to stay, I walked off, apologising to the batsman (with whom I played hockey and who was a friend of mine).

Two days later, I got a letter from the club summoning me to a disciplinary hearing not of the racist player, but of me. My sin in walking off was considered much more severe than racism. I simply resigned and moved clubs.

Hopefully, attitudes will now change for good and racism in cricket (or any sport) will never be considered tolerable.

Tony Fisher

Liberal Democrat councillor for Strensall ward