Alec Stewart, a Surrey cricket great, has announced this morning that he is to step down from his job as the county club’s director of cricket at the end of the year, after 11 years in the role.
The Gaffer: Alec Stewart is standing down as Surrey’s director of cricket
“Family comes first,” Stewart said in a typically matter-of-fact interview released this morning by Surrey – referring to the on-going cancer treatment that his wife, Lynn, has been receiving since 2013.
The former England batsman and wicket-keeper took a leave of absence from his job last summer when Lynn began her latest round of treatment.
The Oval has in effect been the 60-year-old’s second home for most of his life: his father Micky was another Surrey stalwart, who captained the club before taking on a similar team manager and coach role, which he also performed for the England team.
Which also helps to explain why Alec Stewart – “The Gaffer” as he has been known among his teammates and players for nearly 40 years – also described the decision that lay behind today’s announcement as “the toughest of my working career”.
He said, “After careful consideration, I will be stepping down from my role as director of cricket at the end of this calendar year. The main reason for informing the club at this point in time is to give them enough notice to find a suitable replacement.
“Since November 2013, I have given this job my total commitment and it has been an honour and a privilege to be a part of the greatest cricket club in the world. However, the job is not one that you can just leave at the ground, as it demands 24/7 attention. As people may know, my wife has been battling cancer since 2013 and I want to give her, and my family, more of my time over the coming years than this job allows.
“I am incredibly proud of what has been achieved over the last 11 years, winning trophies as well as continuing to produce our own players through the Talent Pathway and providing players for England. Supporting young talent to develop into top-quality players is one of the most rewarding and enjoyable parts of the job.
“I want to thank all the players, coaches and cricket management staff I’ve worked with for their incredible support and hard-work. I’d also like to thank everyone who has played their part in taking the club forward both on and off the field.
“I will always be available to support the club in any way that I can and would also consider other opportunities in and around the game that work for me and the family.
“From now until my last working day, I guarantee that my commitment to the job and to the club will not diminish one bit and I am fully focused on helping the squad to achieve more success.”
Carried his bat: Alec Stewart bowed out from his long Test career after another formidable innings at his second home, The Oval
During Stewart’s time in charge, Surrey won three County Championship titles, while developing the talents of dozens of players, of which nine have gone on to represent England, including Ollie Pope, Sam Curran and Will Jacks.
Stewart signed his first professional contract as a player at The Oval in 1981. In a 23-year playing career for Surrey, Stewart won the County Championship title three times as well as three limited-over trophies. In 13 years (1990 to 2003) he played in 133 Tests for England, scoring 15 centuries and captaining the national team.
Stewart was the highest Test run scorer in the world during the 1990s.
As a mark of his achievements, Surrey County Cricket Club named the gates at the Vauxhall End after him: the Alec Stewart Gates.
The Surrey CCC chair, Oli Slipper, today paid tribute to Stewart, saying he had “built a club in his own image that is hard-working, dedicated and humble”.
Slipper said: “The values and the philosophy that he has created are the foundation of the success that the team has seen.”
Steve Elworthy, CEO at Surrey Cricket, said: “Alec has been one of the greatest servants this club has ever seen and leaves an extraordinary legacy. Alec’s professionalism, work ethic and commitment to the club has driven success in his playing days and even more so as director of cricket. The club is where it is today because of his passion and his dedication.
“I fully respect and understand the decision that Alec has made and wish him and his family the very best for the future. We cannot overstate his impact at Surrey and on behalf of the staff, the players and the Membership I would like to thank Alec for his service.”
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