Durham pipped Nottinghamshire to the LV Division One title, just 16 years since they played their inaugural first-class fixture, with their victory at Kent coupled with Notts' defeat to Hampshire at Trent Bridge.

For Middlesbrough-born Cook, who spent 19 years as a player with Northamptonshire and England before returning north to oversee Durham's development, it was the sweetest of moments.

"When you win the County Championship, which has been going for 120 years, then you've joined history," he said. "It has been a rocky road in many ways over the years."

Cook is an ever-present from the very earliest days when Ian Botham and other luminaries were completing their careers in the north east.

Success remained well out of Durham's reach until two years ago, since when they have been a threat in all competitions under the captaincy of Dale Benkenstein.

"Those years were romantic," Cook recalled. "We had lots of top names who came along and enjoyed what Durham had to offer.

"Following that generation we had to get down to brass tacks and try to create the solid base which, we hope, we have now.

"I think this is probably my proudest achievement. when you see so many players enjoying themselves that is a sweet moment.

"It's a really fantastic moment for Dale, who is a marvellous leader of this team."