PAUL COLLINGWOOD, who announced his retirement last week, was the on-field leader of Durham’s remarkable rise to the pinnacle of first-class cricket. Off the pitch, though, Geoff Cook was always Mr Durham.

Captain, coach, leader, mentor, academy guru, administrator – Mr Cook was all these things and more during his 27-year association with Durham CCC.

As one of the driving forces behind the county’s elevation to first-class status, the Teessider was there from the start. He was Durham’s first first-class captain, and ran the academy as the likes of Collingwood, Steve Harmison and Phil Mustard were progressing to earn international honours.

His success in the youth ranks led to his promotion to the role of head coach, and he led Durham to their first major honour, the Friends Provident Trophy, before presiding over back-to-back County Championship wins.

He returned after a period of ill health to help celebrate Durham’s third title triumph in 2013, and has spent the last five years in the role of director of cricket.

He will leave that post at the end of the season as part of what Durham are describing as a “staff restructure”, and while time waits for no one, the club will not be the same without him.

Always affable, friendly and polite, Mr Cook was an integral part of one of North-East sport’s greatest success stories. We applaud his achievements, and wish him all the best for the future.