Major identity crisis

By Thrasy Petropoulos BBC Sport Online Cricket Writer

John Major probably thought he was doing Leicestershire County Cricket Club a favour when he asked to become a member.

The former Prime Minister was indulging in his favourite pastime of watching his beloved Surrey, who were playing at Grace Road last week, when he enquired about joining the club.

"You'll have to pay your subs," he was told.

"Of course," replied the one time Chancellor of the Exchequer.

And so began the memorable turn of events that led to Mr Major becoming a fully paid up member of one of county cricket's smallest clubs.

During the time that I was in politics, I always put away some time to watch cricket

John Major

First came the handing over of the application form, with name, address and telephone number duly completed. And then the cheque, signed and dated.

Off went Kevin Hill, Leicestershire's administration secretary, to process the form.

But on reaching his office he realised that he could not read the handwriting.

"It had Mr Major's details on it," Hill said.

"The only problem was that the address was just a scribble. It looked like a doctor's prescription."

"I sought him out to clarify the address and told him, 'I hope you know we're going to cash this cheque, not just frame it and put it on the bar room wall.'"

And that was not the only hitch.

When it came to printing the photo identification, Hill wanted to include the words: "John Major, former Prime Minister" on the card.

The former PM comes in to bat

The machine, clearly thrown by the length of the title, produced a card on which was simply written the word: "Major".

"That was not the worst of it," Hill chuckled.

"The girl behind the desk asked if it was all right."

Thankfully for the staff at Grace Road, Mr Major, whose name has been linked with the presidency of MCC and chairmanship of the ECB, was nothing but complimentary about the ground.

"I came here to watch the whole Surrey game," he said.

"I think it is very attractive. It has a lovely ambience. I love the trees that ring the ground.

"I saw the facilities - the indoor and outdoor nets - and it is certainly a very splendid press box and a superb batting wicket.

"It has been a most enjoyable few days. I live just an hour's drive down the road so it seems a logical thing to do.

"My son and daughter-in-law live in Leicestershire. In fact my son is with me today. I hope he will accompany me in future."

My sister introduced me to cricket when I was five

John Major

Asked a thornier question, however, and Mr Major, who was president of Surrey last year, was not willing to overstate his enthusiasm for his new club.

Surrey dominated in a game they won inside three days. Surely, therefore, it was a case of divided loyalties.

"I can't honestly say so," he said. "I have been a Surrey supporter for 50 years and nothing is going to change that.

"But there will be days when Surrey are not playing when I will come and watch Leicestershire."

He went on: "My sister introduced me to cricket when I was five. It felt instinctively like something I loved from the outset.

"I enjoyed playing until an accident ended my playing days.

"During the time that I was in politics, I always put away some time to watch cricket but that tended to be Test matches.

"These days, although I'm still busy doing a whole range of things, I have a little more time to enjoy county cricket."