CORRIE Jordaan was accused of being a "liar and a fraud" by Rishton CC chairman Rod Simpson at the club's annual meeting last night.

And the club official claimed that English Cricket had undoubtedly seen the last of a player who has courted off-field controversy during his two spells in the Lancashire League.

Mr Simpson explained that the South African spinner, a former professional at both Lowerhouse and Rishton, had been given £800 for his air fare last year when he was due to return for a second season at Blackburn Road.

Jordaan failed to fulfil the contract, claiming a back injury, but the money has not been returned to Rishton - despite an approach by Rishton to Dr Ali Bacher, chief executive of the South African Cricket Board, for help.

Before the accounts were presented to members last night, Mr Simpson said that the sum of £1,855 for the professional's travelling expenses included £800 paid in advance to Jordaan.

"It was a first payment on his unfulfilled contract for last season," he said.

"The aim was to purchase a cheaper air fare benefiting the club and at a better exchange rate, benefiting Corrie Jordaan.

"In many other areas we fireproofed ourselves against Jordaan's reputation.

"But I suppose we were, with hindsight, wrong to put any trust in a person who has established a well-justified reputation of being a liar and a fraud. "You live and learn.

"He has promised to repay the money but, as yet, this has not been forthcoming."

Although Jordaan claimed a back injury to make a last-minute withdrawal from his contract at Rishton last year, he failed to produce a medical certificate and was fined £250 by the league.

He is banned until he pays it.

"That undoubtedly puts paid to his playing career in England," added Mr Simpson.

Controversy dogged the player's relatively-short time in the Lancashire League when he enjoyed success on the field in his two seasons but did not find things quite as straightforward off it.

A players' revolt took place at Lowerhouse against re-signing him.

When Jordaan found out about it, he decided not to go back to the West End, joining Rishton instead.

And there were also rumours at one time last year that Jordaan had been imprisoned in South Africa.

But the speculation was found to be groundless as he himself revealed in a call to the Lancashire Evening Telegraph.

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