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   Accepting the post Shepherd said: “It is an honour to be asked to follow in the footsteps of someone like Derek, who has done so much for Devon cricket for so many years.

   “I have a lot to thank him for as I played under him when I first started out and it was he, and Deryck Fairclough of Exeter, who insisted I trained as a teacher before trying to become a professional cricketer.

   ‘Well, that's what they told my father and in those days you did what your father told you.

   “How I cursed him at the time. But he was right. When I came back from St Luke's College as a teacher   I had a qualification in my back pocket if it didn't work out.

   “That made it easier for me to concentrate on my cricket as I knew if didn't make it I had something to fall back on.”

   Devon chairman Roger Moylan-Jones paid a fulsome tribute to outgoing president Cole (pictured), who had been his predecessor in the chair.

   “In the 143-year history of the county club I don't think anyone has done as much for it as both player and administrator as Derek,” said Moylan-Jones.

   Welcoming Shepherd on board he said Devon were fortunate to have one of the most respected names in world cricket as their figurehead.

   Members heard the county committee had reappointed Bob Dawson as captain for the 2006 season.

   They also heard the club had made a loss of more than £6,000 last season owing to a reduction in the grant received from the English Cricket Board. The deficit had been anticipated by county officials, who have taken steps to make sure it doesn't happen again.

   Subscriptions have gone up and a three-year sponsorship deal with the Clydesdale Bank has been signed which will go a long way towards keeping the county on an even keel.

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