CRICKET ace Michael Brown has already dropped his superstar mate Jimmy Anderson a text as he bids to make his hometown club prosper after taking over as chairman of Lancashire League side Burnley.

Burnley-born and raised Surrey opening batsman Brown has filled the void left by the resignation of John Stubbs and sent a message to England ace Anderson asking him to help out his old club as they look to turn their financial fortunes around.

Brown is one of six players in the past 15 years to progress from Turf Moor into the professional game, including his brother David, who plays for Glamorgan, and Anderson.

And with Burnley feeling the pinch, he has taken over as chairman following the resignation of John Stubbs and admits times are tough for clubs up and down the country.

“We are not talking a lot of money in the general scheme of things,” said Brown. “But it is difficult for all clubs, not just cricket clubs. The culture is changing.

“People don’t drink in the clubs any more and even the players’ attitudes are changing.

“When I was coming through the ranks the players used to go into the bar after nets and have a couple of pints - you look now and the club is not even open.

“There needs to be a change, clubs need to be multi-purpose, not just a bar. You look at the likes of Rawtenstall where they have the clubhouse and the functions. You can’t just rely on people to come in.”

Brown, 31, used to work on the Stock Exchange when playing for Hampshire before his move to the Oval, and says he can tap into that experience to help out Burnley.

“Hopefully I can use my experience from the City as well as my contacts in London,” he added.

“I have already sent Jimmy a text telling him I have become chairman and we will see what we can work out but I am sure we can do something.

“Including my brother, Jimmy and myself there are six lads playing first class cricket who have progressed from Burnley and I don’t think that has ever been tapped into. I don’t know if people at Burnley didn’t like to ask - but I am sure we can all put something back.

“John Stubbs worked extremely hard over the years and I wanted to help out. I didn’t contact the club just to become chairman, I wanted to help out the club where I started.

“Obviously I am based in London for six months of the year so I won’t be able to become involved in a lot of the day-to-day running but I can certainly help in other ways.”