My copy of Time to Declare was delivered by those nice people from Amazon this morning. Over morning coffee I skipped to the section covering his departure from the Yorkshire Team.
Michael's version is as follows;
Against Worcester he was struggling for fitness and motivation and took the deicision then that enough was probably enough - especially as he realised he wouldn't get back into England contention. As the game drifted to a draw he realised he was more interested int he golf score than the game he was playing in. He discussed the situation with Moxon and agreed to play the remainder of the T20 Qualifiers in order to provide some experience for the team - they also talked about Michael playing in the Pro40 games for the rest of the season, but standing down from the County side.
Michael played in the T20's and was rung the night before the Derby game by Scyld Berry asking if it was true that he was about to retire. He neither confirmed nor denied the rumour but the story was printed anyway.
On the morning of the last game against Derby he got a text from Stewart Regan asking if it was true that he was retiring. Driving to the game he heard Regan on the radio asking all fans to come along to support the club for Vaughan's last game. Michael felt that this went in the face of all that he'd discussed with Moxon, and so he decided not to play against Derby because he felt his prescence was being manipulated by the club for commercial gain. He said his goodbyes in the dressing room, and then drove away. He has since had no contact from the club of any sort.
I'm sure people will make of this what they will, but I hope this unnecessary bad blood can be restored at some point. It is tragic that our club seem to mishandle the departure of all our truly great players. A little communication could have avoided this situation.
The funniest part of the tale, is that as he was leaving Adam Lyth rather cheekilly asked what he was going to be doing with all his bats.... Apparently Lyth then played the rest of the season with Vaughan's gear!
Significantly however, Vaughan asked that his thigh pad be left specifically for Joe Root who he sees as his natural sucessor. When Vaughan first played in the Yorkshire side he used Boycott's chest protector which was given to him by Moxon. I think we can see the continuing tradition of Yorkshire batting legends.
I wish you could be as forgiving to Geoff Boycott, Steve. Vaughan and Boycott share many of the same characteristics. They both left under a cloud; they were both self-centered; they both had a cruel streak; they were both money-oriented and successful at accumulating it; they both could be very charming when they had to be; and they were both very talented cricketers.
At least Boycott has put something back into Yorkshire following on from the end of his playing days. Maybe Vaughan will return in some capacity in the future.I won't be holding my breath.
As I read more of the book, there are similarities between Vaughan and Boycott that I hadn't previously imagined. A single mindedness of purpose, an unshakeable belief in oneself, and a passionate conviction that what's best for the individual will ultimately be for the benefit of the whole team.
It's a curious read, and not what I'd imagined.
Wouldn't it be curious if you got a greater appreciation for Geoff Boycott while reading a Michael Vaughan bio? I agree with you and some of the other posters, that deep down they are kindred spirits. Flawed, often misunderstood, but wonderful cricketers.
Strangely, I am both a fan of Michael Vaughan and was a fan of Geoffrey Boycott. They both made and will continue to make a difference in the game. And what an opening pair they would have made.
I supect that the simple truth is that greatness in anything - be it sport, politics or creative culture of any sort - has to contain an element of singlemindedness that borders on selfishness.
Can anyone think of a true great that was entirely selfless and without personal ego/vanity?
In sport I would tend to agree that to get to the top you need determination, commitment and this tends to then be misinterpreted as single mindedness and egotism - Redgrave, Cracknell in rowing are obvious examples but in retirement its interesting to see how they have changed with Cracknell continuing his self driven obsessive approach and Redgrave more relaxed.
I think there is a difference between team sports and individual sports if you look at Steve Davis, Nick Faldo, Andre Agassi etc and Boycs himself has admitted that he may have been better off being a golfer in view of not just the money to be gained but also his dedication and commitment to practice etc.
However, in cycling you might argue that Sir Chris Hoy has got to the top and does not appear to have upset people along the way - but then if you did he might have you sent to the dungeons if his knighthood permits.
The same one who ran out his partners as frequently as Boycs, used to turn up to matches still in his dinner suit from the night before? not sure he quite fits the bill - only a Middlesex diehard could suggest Compton here - but perhaps this reveals your true colours Iamafreeman (aka Cleasby).
Not so sure about Len Hutton either, but among Yorkshire players its unlikely we will find anyone at all in view of most Yorkshire traits, roots and values!
Mentioning Lehmann reminds me of a story I've probably told before ... but its relevant so will repeat myself.
Yorkshire decided to have a kids day before a Sunday League game at Headingley. Each of the players was given a group 'young' kids and part of the outfield to organise a game.
At one end of the ground it was complete mayhem. 'Uncle' Darren (Lehmann) was in charge, bowling slow half volleys to the batsman/girl who, of course, was hitting the ball everywhere. The other kids were running after the ball, shouting support to the fielder etc. Everyone appeared to be having a wonderful time, including 'Uncle' who had a massive smile on his face.
At the other end an England pae bowler (also called Darren) was the batsman, hitting the kids bowling to all points.
".... so he decided not to play against Derby because he felt his prescence was being manipulated by the club for commercial gain. He said his goodbyes in the dressing room, and then drove away. He has since had no contact from the club of any sort. "
Vaughan seems to have a downer on 'commercial gain'. I wonder where 2 autobiographies, a 'cricket art' initiative, £10k for appearances on the after-dinner circuit, a 'Skins' endorsement contract and numerous other paid personal appearances fit into this thinking? Not to mention the million pounds he made from his benefit year in 2005 or the leaked 'exclusive' to Scyld Berry before he had even told the club he was retiring.
Maybe he was just miffed because he was not offered any money for making a last appearance, he was just picked like any other player.
Perhaps he was more upset because both he and Martyn were hoping that he could continue to play in the Pro40's for the rest of the season before Regan intervened and rather pre-empted any further discussions.
Also - for what feels like the umpteenth time - tha art initiative is ENTIRELY for charity. You will also find that over half of the proceeds from his benefit year were given to a mixture of children's and cricketing charities.
Vaughan is a shrewd business man with a long retirement ahead of him and a young family who has made the most of his opportunities - but he isn't the shameless money grabber some would portray him as.
I agree with Steve. We do tend to look upon successful people with unnecessary skepticism here in the broad acres. At least MV is generally classy about his self-promoting, which is more than can be said for a certain rotund, former Yorkshire fast bowler.