MALLY Nicholson may be stepping down as Cleckheaton Cricket Club's captain, but he is determined to play a key role in helping them bounce back up to the Bradford Premier League Premier Division.

The long-serving skipper is handing over the reins to former Yorkshire player and coach Rich Pyrah for 2023, after admitting things had gone "stale" under his own leadership.

A candid Nicholson told the T&A: "It got stale towards the end of last year, so I felt we needed a change.

"We didn't perform well enough in 2022, but we did have injuries and players missing, while we signed a key all-rounder who let us down two weeks before the start of the season.

"We've got a good mix of youth and experience for 2023, as well as a head coach now (Kieran Rogers), so that should help us become more organised.

"Personally, I'm looking forward to playing in the first team, but only having to worry about a net on Thursday and the game on Saturday.

"I think I'll get more out of myself only having to focus on that.

"You're at meetings most of the week as captain, so it feels like you're never away from the club.

"Stepping down will allow me to spend more time with my kids and having just got back from a holiday abroad, I can't wait to get going ahead of the new season now."

Nicholson thinks the drop into Division One could actually benefit Cleckheaton too.

He said: "We've probably needed to go down.

"We've struggled for most of the last few years and always tended to be in tight battles towards the bottom of the table.

"I think the team we have now, after making some great signings in the off-season, would be good enough to come mid-table in the Premier Division, so we can really build this year.

"I'm excited to see how our young lads fare too, like our leg-spinner Ibrahim Ahmed.

"He's already playing for the North of England and was taking plenty of wickets in the top-flight last season for us aged just 15, so it will be great to see him in partnership with (fellow spinner) Andrew Deegan this year."

As for the new recruits, Nicholson said: "We've signed some good young lads, with Fin Hill and Bradley Sylvester coming in from Lightcliffe and Slaithwaite respectively.

"James Stansfield is back at the club from Moorlands, while we've also brought in Waleed Akhtar, an opening batsman from New Rover in the Aire-Wharfe League."

There are plenty of new faces at Cleck for 2023, but an old stalwart will sadly be missing.

Bob Speight, who was the club's secretary for over 30 years, passed away on December 28 aged 77.

Nicholson knew him well, and said: "Bob is one of those people you'll never replace.

"He did a great job here and I know how proud he was when we won the league back in 2013 and 2014.

"He was a huge part of the club and always did what was needed for us.

"It's a big void to fill and he's missed by everyone. My thoughts are with his wife Maxine and the rest of his family."