Leicestershire chairman Neil Davidson refuses to resign

Davidson's enemies are rounding on him at troubled Grace Road

Leicestershire chairman Neil Davidson says he will not quit despite captain Matthew Hoggard and head coach Tim Boon leading calls for him to resign.

Davidson has said that Boon, Hoggard and other playing staff have all signed a letter demanding he steps down over alleged interference in team matters.

Davidson told BBC Radio Leicester: "That's an allegation I'd contest very strongly. I've no intention of going.

"It's not for cricketers or employees to determine who is the chairman."

Hoggard, who was busy trying to take wickets for his county in their home Championship match against Surrey on Tuesday, later released a statement through the Professional Cricket Association.

The former England bowler, an Ashes hero in 2005, said: "I am disappointed that a private letter sent to the board has been made public.

"As coach and captain, Tim Boon and I believe we have a duty to bring matters of serious concern to our employer's attention and we did this privately and confidentially in recognition that this was and remains a matter for the board of Leicestershire County Cricket Club.

"We conveyed the sincere and deeply-held views of the players and staff of the club to the Board and asked them to act appropriately in light of those concerns. We continue to urge them to do so.

"There has been inaccurate reporting regarding proposed player protest action. I can confirm that no such action was or is planned.

It is the players who are trying to set the agenda. They cite interference by me in team affairs

Neil Davidson

"Throughout my career, I have always striven to do my best for my team, and that is all I have been trying to do here. I don't think it is helpful for Leicestershire to have these issues played out in public, and I'm sure everyone with the club's best interests at heart will agree with that sentiment."

Davidson, who has held his position at Grace Road since 2003, could now have his future determined by the club's members at an emergency general meeting.

But he sounded confident he could count on their backing, saying: "I should think our members are absolutely horrified.

"My job as chairman is to represent the members to make sure the club is being run properly.

"In effect, as a result of a letter sent to the board by the players and other staff at the club and signed by both Matthew Hoggard and Tim Boon, it is the players who are trying to set the agenda. They cite interference by me in team affairs.

"As a members' club, it is the board who are supposed to run the club's affairs on behalf of those members.

606: DEBATE

If Davidson has any care about the club he will resign

leicestertigerfox

"I was appointed by the board, and am accountable to it."

The behind-the-scenes turmoil at Grace Road first came into the public domain when chief executive David Smith resigned at the end of June, citing the reason as Davidson's interference in team affairs.

But Davidson denied that and said Smith's exit was down to performances on the pitch.

"We played eight home Twenty20 games and lost seven with one called off," Davidson explained.

"As chairman am I supposed to stand by and let a disaster happen? This is a business. I cannot allow that to happen on behalf of the members."

But although Davidson has refused to bow to player pressure, he did say he would look at his own role if the club's members questioned his position.

"It is a members' club," Davidson added: "If the members say that my interventions on their behalf are wrong then of course they have the right to call for the resignation of the chairman."