Yorkshire's director of cricket, David Byas, says he is "disturbed and saddened" to hear that top batsman Anthony McGrath wants to leave the club because he is unhappy with the way it is being managed.

Byas, like chief executive Stewart Regan, is on holiday this week, but he stressed to The Press he had a high regard for McGrath and had no personal issues to settle with him.

Like Regan, however, he conceded the club's decision not to renew Richard Blakey's contract was a possible reason why McGrath and one or two other players felt aggrieved.

Byas, who does not dish out praise lightly, went out of his way to express his admiration at McGrath's contribution to Yorkshire cricket.

"I think he is a wonderful professional and I have absolutely no axe to grind with him at all," said Byas.

"I have had a very positive relationship with him and I think his batting has been outstanding, particularly over the last two seasons after being discarded by England, and their loss has certainly been our gain. His form has been second to none among the whole squad.

"Anthony was on holiday himself recently and, although I have heard rumblings, I have not yet been able to speak to him about it.

"He remains a very important and senior member of the side and I am anxious that we can resolve the situation as soon as possible."

Yorkshire still have a few significant appointments to make and the hope is that the likes of McGrath and Michael Lumb will feel happier with the direction in which the club is going.

If Pakistan batsman Younis Khan does come to Headingley, it will not be as captain, and whoever does take over from Craig White may also be given additional responsibilities for managing the first team.

Disenchantment among some of the senior players is not good for team morale and matters need to be sorted out, but Yorkshire cannot be held to ransom and contracts cannot remain on the table and unsigned indefinitely.

The management must be allowed to run the club, but they must be in harmony with the players if Yorkshire are to improve results on the field.

It is now five years since Byas, as captain, led Yorkshire to their first Championship title in 33 years, and the team have been on the slide since.

Meanwhile, Yorkshire have announced details of a new membership scheme for 2007 onwards which gives five options and is designed to meet all needs.

The options are: Option 1 - Yorkshire supporter (no matches included); Option 2 - Traditional membership for County Championship, C&G Trophy and Pro40 League; Option 3 - One-day cricket membership including Twenty20; Option 4 - Total Yorkshire CCC membership, includes all domestic matches at Headingley Carnegie and Scarborough); Option 5 - Total cricket membership, includes Option 4, plus all internationals at Headingley Carnegie).

Details of the options and membership concessions, plus prices, will be given at five roadshows around the county. One of the roadshows will be at York Cricket Club on November 1 at 7.30pm.