Lancashire have parted ways with director of cricket performance Mark Chilton and director of women’s cricket David Thorley, the club confirmed on September 21, 2026. Both departures are part of a restructuring of the performance set-up at Old Trafford.
The announcement follows a troubled 2026 campaign across both the men’s and women’s programmes. Lancashire men occupy second-bottom position in Division Two of the County Championship and could end the season in last place if they lose their remaining match against Durham. On the women’s side, the team exited the T20 Blast at the group stage and failed to advance beyond the group rounds of the Metro Bank One-Day Cup.
“Decisions like this are always incredibly tough to make, but we believe a restructure of the performance set-up is necessary to move the club forward. We all share the ambition of seeing our Lancashire teams win games, progress in competitions and compete for trophies. For the men’s side, the County Championship is at the heart of the club’s cricket vision, while for Lancashire Women, our aim is to consistently challenge for major honours,” chief executive Daniel Gidney said as quoted by Cricinfo.
The leadership changes extend beyond the performance staff. Gidney is departing the club, with Richard Kenyon, a boyhood Lancashire supporter from Nottinghamshire, confirmed as his successor.
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What does Chilton’s departure mean for the men’s set-up?
Chilton’s connection with Lancashire spans decades. He captained the county between 2005 and 2007 and was part of the squad that claimed the County Championship title in 2011, which proved to be his final season as a player. He came back to Old Trafford in a coaching role in 2014 and took on the director of cricket performance position in 2021.
The men’s 2026 season has been difficult across all formats. Lancashire did not reach the T20 Blast quarter-finals and were beaten heavily in the One-Day Cup eliminator. Their County Championship position leaves them vulnerable to finishing bottom of Division Two, a result that would represent a significant low point in the club’s recent history, though whether it would be their first-ever wooden spoon in the competition requires independent historical verification. Head coach Dale Benkenstein had already been dismissed earlier in the season, with Steven Croft stepping in to lead the side.
What is the background to Thorley’s exit and what happens next?
Thorley spent six years overseeing Lancashire women, having first taken charge of the North-West Thunder when the ECB introduced its regional structure. Before entering county cricket administration, he accumulated experience at the ICC and at England Boxing.
The contrast with 2025 is stark. Lancashire women claimed two trophies that year, but in 2026 the side dropped to the foot of the T20 Blast group standings and could not progress past the group phase of the Metro Bank One-Day Cup. No successor to Thorley has been announced by the club. With Kenyon arriving as chief executive and the performance structure under review, Lancashire are expected to outline their plans for both the men’s and women’s programmes in due course, though no confirmed timeline has been provided.
