BRISTOL (England), Feb 4: Gloucestershire’s coach Mark Alleyne will leave the club in February, prior to his contract ending in September 2008, after the club decided it was time for a shake-up in their structure.

John Light, the chairman of Gloucestershire, said: “We have come to this agreement after much deliberation. We feel that it is now time for change and time to move towards a new director of cricket. I would like publicly to thank Mark Alleyne for his massive contribution which has been greatly appreciated by everyone associated with the club. We wish him every success in the future.”

Alleyne joined Gloucestershire as a 22-year-old in 1986, and went on to fill the club’s all-rounder slot with great skill and aplomb. In 1999, his efforts were recognised when he was selected for his maiden ODI against Australia at Brisbane, and he went on to make 151 runs and take 10 wickets in 10 England appearances.

It was at club level, however, that Alleyne really made his mark. He became the most successful captain in the Gloucestershire’s history. Between 1997 and 2005, the team won eight one-day trophies, including three successive Lord’s finals and the treble in 2000. Alleyne became player coach in 2004, then moved up to head coach upon his retirement in 2005.—Agencies