Clive Leach

Leach made his first-class debut for Warwickshire against Cambridge University in 1955. He played 38 further first-class matches for Warwickshire, the last coming against Oxford University in 1958.[1] In his 39 first-class matches for Warwickshire, he scored 1,025 runs at a batting average of 17.67, with 4 half centuries and a high score of 67. An able slip fielder, he took 28 catches.[2] An all-rounder, Leach took 26 wickets at a bowling average of 25.26, with best figures of 3/19.[3]

After being released by Warwickshire, Leach joined Durham for the 1959 season, making his Minor Counties Championship debut against Northumberland. He played Minor counties cricket for Durham from 1959 to 1965.[4] It was for Durham that he made his List A debut against Hertfordshire in the 1964 Gillette Cup. He played a further List A match for Durham, which came in the same season against Sussex.[5]

Leach later joined Buckinghamshire, making his debut for the county in the 1966 Minor Counties Championship against Berkshire. He played Minor counties cricket for Buckinghamshire from 1966 to 1971.[4] He made 3 List A appearances for Buckinghamshire, against Middlesex in the 1969 Gillette Cup, Bedfordshire and Hampshire, both in the 1970 Gillette Cup.[5]

Following the end of his cricket career, Leach began his business career in 1961 at the age of 27 when he began a career in television. He started with Tyne Tees Television. At the time he retired from television in 1994, Leach was the Chairman and Chief executive of Yorkshire-Tyne Tees Television plc.[6] In 2000 he was awarded the CBE for his services to training and education.[6]

Subsequently Leach carried out a number of senior public sector roles in the Yorkshire and Leeds City regions between 1995 and 2005, including as Chairman of the Yorkshire Training and Enterprise Council, The Leeds Learning and Skills Council and Yorkshire Enterprise Ltd. He was Chairman of the Leeds Health Authority spearheading the merger between the Leeds General Infirmary and St James' Hospital. He took over as Chairman of Yorkshire Fund Managers in 2008. He also took over as Chairman of Be Independent Ltd, a company supporting independence for old and disabled people in the York City area in 2016.

In 2004 Leach was appointed Chairman of the Durham County Cricket Club, by this time a club with first class status.[6] He stepped down in 2016 during negotiations with the English Cricket Board over financial disagreement with them. In the 12 years as Chairman, Durham won three County Championship titles amd two major cup trophies, and held their first Test matches including an "Ashes" test. He was succeeded by Sir Ian Botham.[7]

Clive Leach is currently owner and Chairman of the Universe Media Group Ltd, publishers of Catholic Universe, the largest circulation Catholic weekly newspaper; the Catholic Times; and the Church and Heritage Building magazine.

He was awarded a Papal Knighthood - KSG - in March 2018 for services to the Catholic faith.

• Clive Leach at ESPNcricinfo
• Clive Leach at CricketArchive