As I sit here at Lord's on our 'last day of term', it's been an exciting 24 hours. Not, I hasten to add, due to any Christmas festivities but because last night I received a signed contract from Brendon McCullum to play white ball cricket for us next season.
In stating our desire to improve our white ball results, it was important that our actions matched our aspirational words and clearly signing a top drawer overseas player was an important part of that. When I asked Eoin Morgan about Brendon, he was unambiguous - "He's the best T20 player in the world and a great bloke."
Angus and I met Brendon and his wife a couple of months ago and we were both hugely impressed with the openness and commitment of Brendon and his agent Garth Gallaway and the way they proposed doing business.
Of course these deals are never easy and it's great tribute to Angus in getting this one over the line. Brendon has been busy playing for New Zealand and preparing for his retirement from international cricket so time was precious but I'm delighted we got there in time for Christmas for what I hope is a nice present for our supporters and members.
Of course this festive period also marks the end of Ian Lovett's tenure as Chairman and the start of Mike O'Farrell's. I have been afforded several opportunities in the past to pay tribute to Ian but it is worth repeating my thanks to Ian for the dramatically positive impact he has had on the club. We have taken giant strides forward under his leadership and when the next history of Middlesex is written, he will be regarded as one of the club's finest governors. These are large shoes indeed to fill but we couldn't have chosen a better man to replace him. Goodbye Ian and welcome Mike!
That only leaves me to wish our members and supporters a very Merry Christmas from all of us at the club. It's been a year of change but we are in fantastic shape going forward and I wish you all a prosperous and healthy 2016.
Richard
The Middlesex office at Lord's will be closed from 12 noon on Wednesday 23 December and will re-open on Monday 4 January 2014.
