JOHN Stanworth has left Lancashire after more than 30 years with the county as part of a coaching staff reshuffle.

Former wicketkeeper Stanworth has been the club’s longstanding Academy director, but that role has now been filled by Gary Yates, who will combine the titles of assistant coach and Academy director.

Stanworth, whose 44-match first-class career was played out between 1983 and 1992, took on the Academy director’s role in 2002 and has played a key part in the development of a number of England players.

He was the man who gave Andrew Flintoff the nickname of Fred, and has helped develop the likes of Test players Jimmy Anderson, Sajid Mahmood and Simon Kerrigan.

A number of other club stalwarts have left this winter, including former cricket director Mike Watkinson in October, long-serving matchday manager Ken Grime and commercial director Geoff Durbin.

Flintoff revealed the news of Stanworth’s departure on Twitter over the weekend, asking: “What is going on Lancs CCC?

“Players, CEOs, chairmen come and go, but getting rid of the people who are the foundations of the club, the ones who make it great, is wrong.”

Lancashire’s new cricket director and head coach Ashley Giles said: “I have taken my time to look at how the operation runs and where we are in terms of playing and coaching staff.

“And although having more people is nice, we are probably a bit top heavy on coaching.

“I felt the most efficient way was to combine the roles of Academy director and assistant coach. But that, of course, meant we were going to lose someone.

“Whoever we lost, it was going to be difficult – and it is particularly tough losing someone who had been there for 32 years and given so much service to the club. It wasn't an easy process. But I felt it was a necessary thing to do.

“John has been a very good servant to the club over an extended period, and we thank him for that.

“But it was something we had to do, and whoever we lost we were going to lose someone with great experience.

“Gary will now be assistant coach and Academy director and will manage that pathway to make sure it continues to work. Secondary to that, he will support the professional staff as well.”

Glen Chapple’s new title will be first-team coach and Mark Chilton remains Lancashire’s second XI coach.