Lord Marland emerges as challenger to Giles Clarke

On the day that nominations close for the chairmanship of the ECB, Giles Clarke's opponents have put forward in Lord Marland of Odstock, the former Treasurer of the Conservative Party, a serious candidate to challenge him.
Marland's candidature has been forwarded by Lancashire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire and four other clubs have pledged their support. It leaves him short of a majority, but is enough to encourage him that Clarke's re-election is not the formality previously supposed and that a proper debate about the future direction of English cricket should take place.
Last Friday, there were reports that Clarke's opponents had failed to find a challenger, although Marland had told confidants that he was standing only the evening before. The declaration of his candidature has been carefully orchestrated since then, culminating with this morning's announcement, which it is hoped will cause Clarke maximum discomfort since it coincides with the ECB brainstorming session at Stapleford Park in Leicestershire that will involve many of the game's decision-makers.
Marland is an ardent cricket supporter, having travelled to India, Sri Lanka and the West Indies in the past few years to watch England play. He made his fortune as a founding director of Jardine Lloyd Thompson, the insurance company, although he is better known because of his links with the Conservative Party. He was Treasurer under Michael Howard, helped to run Boris Johnson's campaign for London Mayor, and was ennobled by David Cameron. Marland's supporters hope that his combination of enthusiasm for cricket, successful business background and strong links to a party at present favourites to return to government at the next election will be a vote-winner.

Speaking of his decision to run for the chairmanship, Marland told The Times: “As a cricket fan I am utterly frustrated by the underachievement of English cricket since the great Ashes victory in 2005, culminating in the shambles of both captain and coach effectively being sacked on the same day two weeks ago. I've been contacted by a lot of cricket supporters and several county chairmen who have encouraged me to put my name forward.
“I believe that the running of the ECB needs a thorough review and that will be one of my first priorities. It is quite clear from the conversations I have had with a number of senior figures within the game that the counties are divided about the current leadership and these fences need mending. It is time to focus everyone's attention and energies on the need to make England a successful team again, along with a vibrant grassroots structure.”
This is not the first time that Marland has involved himself with the politics of sport. He was almost persuaded to run for the chairmanship of the Football Association two years ago and he chairs a non-profit-making organisation called the Sports Nexus that describes itself as “an independent voice which challenges the structures, practice and accountability of British sporting institutions”.
Marland's supporters are Leicestershire, Hampshire, Lancashire, Derbyshire, Surrey, Yorkshire and MCC. Neil Davidson, the chairman of Leicestershire, and Rod Bransgrove, the chairman of Hampshire, have been outspoken critics of Clarke and have been involved in persuading Marland to run. Clarke's opponents point to the Stanford controversies, the Moores and Pietersen fiasco, and the failure to build relationships as evidence of a time for change. They believe that his bullying approach has resulted in a culture of confrontation within the English game that is unhealthy.
Clarke is not without his supporters, though, and is the favourite to win a second term. His followers say that few chairmen have had to cope with so many complex issues at a time when cricket has been undergoing fundamental changes. Clarke has made the job of chairman almost full-time, with a direct, hands-on approach that has endeared him to some county chairmen. The biggest feather in his cap (as far as the counties are concerned) was renegotiating a deal with Sky, worth £300million over five years, before the credit crunch struck.
Marland now has two weeks to make his case to those chairmen in favour of the status quo. Big cheese that he is, he will find Clarke a tough opponent to beat.
source:the londontimes