With 23 legal cases ongoing and the costs of that involving the dismissed physio, Wayne Morton, likely to rise to around two million pounds if he wins his in the High Court, our Northern neighbours are in turmoil. Which come to think of it is the most polite way I could have phrased that.

Fast forward 24 hours and news breaks that Derbyshire are now debt free, aside from a long-term mortgage, ahead of the target set of 2024. A profit of 174k last year enable them to reach this landmark, the ninth time in ten years that the club has registered a surplus.

It is extraordinary news, which deserves the warmest of plaudits to everyone involved, especially the chairman, Ian Morgan and the chief executive, Ryan Duckett. The business model for the club must be the envy of their peers and those who deride ‘little Derbyshire’ no longer have any substance in their snide comments.

That this has been achieved, while at the same time the club has been steadily restoring respect on the field, is quite remarkable. The recruitment of Mickey Arthur, who heads a terrific coaching staff, as well as an improved and evolving playing squad means that Derbyshire can go into the 2023 season in rude health. The rudest ever, without doubt. Money can now be invested on ground development, as well as further improvements to the playing staff.

All it needs now to cement this remarkable turn around is some silverware. With the head of cricket reinforcing his commitment to the club on a four-year contract, don’t bet against that over the next three seasons.

I have to admit to still being puzzled why Shan Masood opted for Yorkshire over Derbyshire. I can only assume the finances offered were ridiculous, which in the light of yesterday’s news is somewhat ironic. The captaincy of a club that appears likely to receive a points penalty in the coming weeks cannot be easy. I suspect there will be challenges ahead for the genial Pakistan opener.

As for Derbyshire, there is no better run club in the game. Our cloth is cut to suit, yet we still manage to identify rejected or ignored talent from elsewhere and turn them into serious first-class cricketers. There is a buzz around the Incora County Ground, yet the potential first choice side to start the season would likely include seven or eight players who would be carving a career outside of the game, were it not for the opportunities Derbyshire has given them. Not just that, but how well respected and how impressive are Messrs Godleman, Reece, Dal, Aitchison, Guest, Chappell, Lamb et al?

How sweet it would be if a trophy was forthcoming, even if it isn’t this year. It would be well deserved and wholly appropriate recognition of the quality of work being done, on and off the field, at our club.

To every man and woman involved, I applaud and thank you for your efforts on behalf of our club.

Now, let’s go and win some cricket matches!