Yorkshire v Essex: Yorkshire can challenge next year, says chief Yorkshire just missed out on the second division title but the man who launched a stinging attack 12 months ago following his team's relegation now believes they are capable of challenging for the championship next year. Colin Graves, the executive chairman whose money has kept the county afloat, described Yorkshire's performances in 2011 as a "b----- disgrace," told the players to take a long, hard look at themselves and warned that heads would roll if promotion was missed this year. Yesterday, Graves was at Chelmsford to congratulate captain Andrew Gale and his players on marking their return to the first division with a third consecutive victory. The win, set up by a first five-wicket haul for exciting young spinner Azeem Rafiq, was not enough to deny Derbyshire top spot. But it delighted the boss. "I think we've proved in the last three matches what we can do and if we can carry that on then hopefully we can have another team of the Sixties [when Yorkshire won the championship six times in a decade] and Seventies," said Graves. It has been a cracking season. Next year is the 150th anniversary of Yorkshire's formation and the club's president, Geoffrey Boycott, has already urged the team of 2013 to challenge for the title. Graves said: "We have to start from square one but I believe we have the capabilities to do that. The players have responded and I'm pleased for them. Graves accepts that Yorkshire have "one or two weaknesses" that need addressing and promised that money would be available. Glamorgan's James Harris, the England Lions fast bowler, has been linked with a move to Headingley. Rafiq, 21, proved he has talent. He finished with match figures of eight for 115, his best yet, and scored two half-centuries.