THE David Byas controversy is likely to re-surface at Yorkshire's annual meeting at Headingley on March 23 when their former captain is due to be elected an honorary life member of the club for his outstanding services.

News of Byas's shock decision took the fans by surprise and left them wondering about the real reason for him leaving Yorkshire immediately after leading them to their first Championship title since 1968.

Bewildered members are sure to raise the question of why he was allowed to end his contract which still had a year to run.

Yorkshire, meanwhile, have still not signed anyone to replace Darren Lehmann who is due to be in Zimbabwe with Australia for the first three weeks of the season, but South Africa's two openers, Gary Kirsten and Herschelle Gibbs, remain top of their list.

It seems that Yorkshire are waiting to see if the tour is called off after Zimbabwe's Presidential elections before committing themselves to someone else.

Yorkshire officials yesterday discussed ways of raising money for the club with 15 leading industrialists and businessmen from around the county.

Details of the talks and possible ways forward will be outlined to Yorkshire members by president Robin Smith at the annual meeting.

Yorkshire chairman, Keith Moss, said: "The theme was 'Looking to the Future' and we gave a presentation about what we have achieved and our hopes and aspirations.

"We emphasised that Yorkshire certainly has to raise more capital to stay in the forefront as a Test match ground.

"No commitment was given but it was the clear view of our guests that future finance is available and that suitable ways forward now had to be considered.

"The subject will be discussed in greater detail by the general committee at their meeting on the Monday following the annual meeting."

Moss said that Yorkshire had received grants for current redevelopment from Leeds City Council and Sport England but apart from any enhancements they could not look to them for commercial money.

"We would like a pavilion at the top end of the ground and we would like to get rid of the present offices which would have the effect of freeing up that area and providing additional seating capacity," he said.

"There is no doubt that county clubs will be under scrutiny from the ECB who are looking for the best possible returns from Test match venues and it is necessary that we go on improving our facilities at Headingley."

How businesses will be able to benefit from a financial involvement with Yorkshire is still not clear but some people within the county club feel strongly that the way forward is for it to become a plc.

Updated: 11:23 Wednesday, March 13, 2002