FORMER Lancashire captain Mark Chilton will return to Emirates Old Trafford as part of Lancashire County Cricket Club’s coaching structure.

The batsman made his debut for the Red Rose in 1997 and became captain in 2005 for three seasons.

He played in 196 first class matches, scoring a total of 9,556 runs with 21 centuries, and was awarded his county cap in 2002.

His final season as a Lancashire player was in 2011 – when he was an integral member of the squad that won the LV= County Championship title for the first time in 77 years.

Upon his retirement from the game, Chilton obtained the ECB level 4 coaching qualification and became cricket director at Manchester Grammar School, his former school.

Mike Watkinson, cricket director of Lancashire County Cricket Club, said: “Following the recent changes in our coaching structure, it was vital that we had some continuity to enable us to carry on our progress. Mark has been doing some part time work with the professional squad around his school commitments and has made a significant impact on the group.

“He demonstrated his leadership skills in his role of club captain and he will have a great influence on the squad. He is Lancashire through and through and had a successful career at Emirates Old Trafford. He hasn’t been out of the first class game for long and is in touch with the requirements of the modern day cricketer.

“We are delighted to welcome him back and look forward to him working with the squad, where his initial focus will be on the Second XI along with some specialist coaching duties.”

Mark added: “I am thrilled at the prospect of returning to LCCC. We have an exciting crop of emerging young players and I am looking forward to working with them.”