KEVIN Dean is back at the County Ground after being co-opted on to the Derbyshire's general committee.

One of the club's most popular locally-developed players of recent times, Dean's new role will partly be to help identify more home-grown talent in the leagues and to help with the current crop of Derbyshire bowlers.

His knowledge, gained through a first-class career that ran from 1996 to 2008, all of which was spent with Derbyshire, will also make him a valuable member of the club's policy-making process and the 36-year-old says he is looking forward to being involved again.

"I've been close to Chris Grant for a couple of years and he called me to say there was an opportunity to join the committee and would I like to come on board," said Dean.

"I was delighted to take the chance and I'll be happy to give any help I can.

"My role will be pretty flexible really – it's what I make of it. I'll be around to sit in committee meetings and contribute there and as long as I'm not treading on anybody's toes, I'll get involved in any other way I can.

"I was the PCA representative for 11 years with Derbyshire, so I'm also used to dealing with the cricket authorities and that's something else I bring to the table."

Derbyshire already have one former player on their general committee in Tony Borrington but as one still active in the game – he is captain of Premier League champions Ockbrook & Borrowash – Dean brings a different perspective.

He is already well known and respected, both around the leagues and with many of the current Derbyshire bowlers.

As the club no longer has a specialist bowling coach following Steffan Jones' departure last season, the opportunity is there for Dean to take a real hands-on role.

Since retiring from the professional game, Dean has built a successful property development business and has started a family, as well as continuing as a player in the Premier League, but says the time is right to get involved with the county club again.

"I've taken a back seat for a few years and now it's time to give something back to the club," he said.

"Derbyshire has been part of my life since I used to help out on the scoreboard when I was 12 or 13 and I'm still a fan. I've not had as much time to get down to games as I would like in the last two or three years but now things are settling down for me, I want to get involved again."

Dean, who took 401 first-class and 181 limited-overs wickets as one of the country's finest left-arm swing bowlers, will have to stand for election in March to take a longer-term seat on the general committee.

But chairman Grant believes he will get the support of the members.

"When evaluating co-opted appointees to the general committee, we are looking for individuals who can add real value to our decision-making process and contribute fully to moving Derbyshire County Cricket Club forward," he said.

"As someone who has only recently retired from the game, Kevin will be an excellent source of support and advice to Karl Krikken and our young playing staff. I am delighted to welcome him to the committee."