Steve Dean has been elected as Staffordshire’s new president at the county club’s annual meeting.
He takes over the role from Nick Archer, who has served his permitted two three-year terms.
Dean is Staffordshire’s all-time leading run scorer, having made 10,163 Championship runs during a county career which spanned from 1982 until 2003.
He also registered a record 19 Championship centuries for Staffs, as well as scoring 1,901 runs in one-day cricket.
Dean was part of the all-conquering Staffordshire side which won three successive Championship titles between 1991 and 1993, plus two one-day crowns.
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He then succeeded Archer as captain and led the side to Championship glory in 1998.
Dean’s club career spanned the length of the county, playing for Cheadle in North Staffs as well as Walsall in the Birmingham League.
“I am trying to put back something into Staffordshire that I took out during my playing career,” said Dean.
“It’s a nice accolade and I’m proud to be the new president. It’s the right time for me after having a few years out of it.”
Dean, who lives on the south coast, has been a spectator at matches in recent seasons.
And despite living out of the area, he’s aiming to be in attendance at games in 2026.
“I’ve tried to get up at least once a year to watch games and it’s my intention to come to a few more,” he explained.
“I’m really looking forward to meeting the members at matches.”
‘Watching brief’
Dean, whose daughter Charlie is an England international, says he’s relishing the prospect of watching the current crop of players target more silverware success.
“I know a few of the players, but there’s some new names around the squad,” he added.
“It’s going to be exciting to watch some of the younger players come through.
“When I took over as captain we changed the side a bit and when we won the Championship in 1998 we had some young players in the team.
“If you give them enough time – and help – they can deliver. Hopefully that will be the case now.”
Archer, who continues as the county club’s chairman, welcomed Dean to the role.
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“It is great to see a former player with a foot in both North Staffordshire and the Birmingham League take over as president,” he said.
“From a personal point of view, it’s been a privilege to be president for six years.
“There’s also the nice link that Steve succeeded me as captain and is now doing the same as president.”
Staffordshire head into the 2026 season under the guidance of Chris Milward and Pete Wilshaw, who have recently been appointed as head coach and assistant respectively.
James Kettleborough will once again captain the county across all three National Counties Cricket Association formats.
Main image: Steve Dean has been elected as the new president of Staffordshire County Cricket Club.
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