STALWART Jeff Long is the new president of Chipping Sodbury Cricket Club, taking over the reins from Derek Febry who has stood down after 20 years in the post.
Sodbury also have a new first team captain for the 2016 season, all-rounder Jamie Rendell returning for a second stint at the helm as the first XI prepare for life in the new-look West of England Premier League.
The structure of club cricket in the region has been overhauled in response to calls to make matches more player-friendly and to reduce travelling demands.
WEPL has been reduced from an 80-team first XI competition, with a separate 70-side second XI league, to one competition of 70 teams.
Sodbury’s first XI have secured a place in the new WEPL Gloucestershire division. The second XI, who will once again be led by the popular Jerry Swatton, now find themselves in Division Three of the Gloucestershire County League.
The experienced Steve Febry is the new captain of Sodbury thirds, who continue to play in the Bristol and District League alongside the club’s fourth and fifth Saturday XIs.
Damian Frodsham continues as captain of the fourths with Richard Deane, Rosie Tregear and Steve Hill combining to look after the fifth XI with the aim of continuing to integrate emerging junior players into the senior section of the club.