WHEN the next history of Lancashire County Cricket Club is written, last year will be one that will want to be forgotten.

In his report presented at this year's Annual General Meeting, chairman Jack Simmons admitted: "2001 was probably our most disappointing season for many years."

And he has dismissed any suggestion that anyone other than coach Bob Simpson and skipper John Crawley had any say in team selection.

Lancashire narrowly avoided relegation in the County Championship, could finish only sixth in the second division of the Norwich Union League, failed to get beyond the group stages of the Benson & Hedges Cup and lost to Durham in the C&G Trophy.

"The disappointment for me was the lack of confidence in too many of our players," he says. "Everyone knows how good a technical coach Bob Simpson was but it was felt that a 12 monthly coach was needed.

"I wish Bob all the best for the future. It seemed to be common knowledge that I, and a few of the committee, didn't agree on occasions with the sides selected for various games.

"But at no time was there interference from myself or anyone else on the sides selected. The captain and coach had full authority and responsibility on all selection and cricketing matters."

Simpson also reveals the thinking behind relieving John Crawley of the captaincy.

"The decision to change the captain was primarily to give John a break from all responsibilities and hopefully recover his best form and regain his England place.

"Warren Hegg showed his good form last season and I'm sure his passion and enthusiasm will be a big plus next season. I feel his partnership with manager Mike Watkinson will prove to be a Red Rose success for the future."

Simmons also thanks the players who have left the club since last season, including a couple he has played with.

He says: "Can I say a big thank you to the players who left the club and wish them well for the future, especially the two senior pros whom I played with in the early year, Michael Atherton and Ian Austin. They will be hard to replace."

Throughout the difficult year Simmons was grateful to the support he received from his committee and the hard work of the staff at Old Trafford.

"Our budgeted figures at the start of the season were quite frightening and a successful season was needed," he says.

"But having an excellent treasurer in Sir Dennis Landau and excellent staff from Jim Cumbes down, we produced a realistic profit.

"However it shows the importance of extra activities at Old Trafford and this profit would not be there except for our pop concerts."

Robbie Williams did three nights at the ground.

In fact the club's trading surplus of £214,753 represents a modest improvement on the previous year.

The club was not helped on and off the pitch by the number of cricket days that were lost to rain, not least because of the loss of revenue from the sale of food and drink.