It is well-known that Yorkshire's head coach and president during their 2014 title-winning season were from Barnsley. But you may not realise that another town man is in charge of the conveyer belt of talent from the Headingley academy.

Richard Damms, 43, from Barugh Green, is the Tykes' academy and development coach. He works for Martyn Moxon, from Monk Bretton, under the watchful eye of world famous former umpire Dickie Bird, now president, who lives in Staincross.

"There are a lot of Barnsley people in high-profile jobs at Headingley and in cricket in general," said Damms.

"There's me, Martyn and Dickie at Yorkshire and Paul Shaw is the England Women's head coach. It's hard to say why that is but I think it's the work ethic.  You are brought up in Barnsley to work hard, have a no nonsense approach and be fair and honest with people. I think people can tell we're from Barnsley from the way we speak.  You get a bit of banter like being called a 'pit pony.'"

Coaching at Yorkshire is the 'next best thing' for Damms who dreamed of playing for his county and was highly-rated as a young bowler in the academy, rooming with fellow Barnsley man Darren Gough, before it all went wrong for him.

"I probably peaked about 15 but I didn't grow much after that and I lost form and confidence when I was at the Yorkshire Academy," said Damms, who then had a successful amateur career as a batsman.

"I was very disappointed to be released at 18 but I knew that I wasn't good enough. That experience has helped me as coach because I have that empathy and I know players have ups and downs."

While at Headingley, Damms began training as a coach and continued to run junior sessions at the Metrodome and Penistone CC while working for what is now the Department of Work and Pensions. The former Darfield, Darton, Penistone, Barnsley and Kexborough player spent a decade as a coach at Denby Dale where he set up the junior section. That led to him getting a job assisting fellow Barnsley man Shaw with the Yorkshire women's team.

When Shaw moved on to the national side, Damms – who had also been working part-time at Headingley with boys' teams – took over. He spent three years in charge of Yorkshire Women before leaving the DWP getting his current job in December 2011.

While Damms works closely with Yorkshire's first team – who won the County Championship last year – he also coaches the second team, under 15s, under 17s and academy. The academy won the Yorkshire League and League Cup, the final of which was at Shaw Lane against Barnsley.

"To win the double was fantastic but the most important thing was to get three young players on professional deals. They are Karl Carver, Josh Shaw and Matthew Fisher, who is 17 and a professional which is incredible."

Members of Moxon's coaching staff have moved on to more high-profile roles recently. Former second XI boss Paul Farbrace was Sri Lanka's head coach and is now England's assistant while his replacement Richard Dawson has just got the top job at Gloucestershire. But Damms said: "I have no real aspirations to be an England coach or the Yorkshire first team coach.  I am very happy with what I am doing at this moment in time. I don't want to work anywhere other than Yorkshire."

Damms is also loyal to his hometown football team. He followed the Reds weekly in the 1980s and 1990s and saw them play Bristol City at home this season.

"I don't go as much as I used to but I want them to win desperately," said Damms, whose favourite all-time Reds player is Clive Baker.

"If you are a good footballer in Barnsley you should want play for Barnsley FC and, if you are a good cricketer, you should want to play Barnsley Cricket Club and for Yorkshire."

Damms and several of the Tykes academy stars will be at Wombwell Cricket Lovers' 'Young Yorkshire Players' Evening' on Thursday, February 12 from 7.45pm at the Ardsley Oaks WMC.