Farbrace: “It’s a proper cricket club”

We spoke with Paul Farbrace as his tenure as Director of Cricket at Warwickshire County Cricket Club came to an end.

The 55-year-old, who joined in March 2019, announced his decision to step down in late August, deciding it’s time to spend more time with his family in Kent, having lived in Birmingham since arriving.

In an in-depth interview, Farbrace reflected on his four-year stay at the Bears, praising the players, support staff and the Members who made him feel at home.

“I’ve really enjoyed it and whether other people think that it’s been enjoyable, I’ll leave that for them to decide,” Farbrace said.

“It’s a great club. I said when I first came, the great thing about coming to Edgbaston with England, was you always felt as though you were really made to feel very welcome. It felt like a real home game. I know that sounds a daft thing to say, but from the moment you arrive to the moment you leave, you know that you’re really wanted here.

“During my, sort of four-year period that I’ve been here, that’s not changed. I’ve really enjoyed it. It’s a great club, with fantastic facilities and really well-supported. It’s a proper cricket club and I’d like to think that it’s in a good state and it will continue to be a fantastic Club for many years to come.”

When asked about his emotions as he prepares to depart, Farbrace kept things simple. The former England men’s coach believes the Club is in fantastic hands as it’s driven behind the scenes by people who give their all to the Bear & Ragged Staff.

“Coming in today with a couple of days to go, I’ve got mixed feelings about leaving because, one, I’m looking forward to what’s next, but equally, I’m disappointed to be leaving because I think there’s still so much more to be done,” added the former Sri Lanka Men’s Head Coach.

“But in many ways, it’s probably quite a good time to be moving on when you know, you still got a lot to look forward to as there’s a lot of exciting things happening around the place as opposed to sort of almost feeling as though you’ve outstayed you welcome.

“As much as you know my family is in Kent and I’ve lived away from them, I always felt that probably four or five years was the right length of time for the job anyway.

“I’d like to think we’ve made progress in some areas and whoever is fortunate enough to take the role on can continue to build with what I believe is an excellent squad of players, a very good coaching group and that applies from age group cricket right the way through to the senior men’s first team.

“Whoever gets the job is extremely lucky because it is a fantastic place to work. There are so many great people that work here. We’ve got a lot of glue that holds this club together and they aren’t always the people that get the headlines.

“Keith Cook is someone who’s been in nearly 50 years. Gary Barwell, Moz (Gerhard Mostert) the physio, we’ve got so many people that work at this club who keep things going. And as I say, people like myself, we come and go. But, people like Cookie, and Robin French, who looks after the players in the dressing room and looks after the kit now. I mean he’s been here nearly 20 years.

“There are so many people that have been here for long periods that really are the heartbeat of this Club. Whoever gets the job, I wish them all the best.

“I will continue to watch the team develop, as I say, men, women, boys and girls because there’s a lot of good people here. “After a really tough year, it’s great to see Chris Woakes smiling whilst ripping through Australia’s top order.”