ALL-ROUNDER Martin Newell is the new chairman of Monmouth Cricket Club

The 37-year-old has replaced Pat Baker who has stepped down after four successful years at the helm

Newell was the unanimous choice of members at the club's well-attended annual general meeting last Friday in JD Wetherspoon's.

"We are all looking forward to writing a new chapter in the club's history and continuing the good work which has been done by the previous chairman and committee," said Newell, who has been at the club for the past 12 years.

"Although I am the new club chairman and it's a big honour for me, it's not the ‘Martin Newell cricket club'. We, as a club, have a collective responsibility for being the custodians of cricket in Monmouth."

Monmouth's first team finished a respectable seventh in Division 2 of the Worcestershire County League last summer.

The club will be looking to bolster their profile and playing squad over the winter.

Newell added: "We will be looking to re-establish the club's profile in the town, continue to provide cricket for junior players and look to recruit new senior players."

He will be backed up by new vice-chairman Ian Morgan, while Jagdev Saran has stepped in as secretary, replacing the hard-working Mike Roberts.

On the playing front, Monmouth, who are sponsored by JD Wetherspoon's, will have two new captains for their campaign next season in Division 2 of the Crusader Worcestershire County League.

Paul Swingwood, who led Monmouth to Marches League and Cup triumphs, returns as first-team captain. He takes over from Dan Head who did an excellent job in charge.

Swingwood will be supported by former Newport all-rounder David Teague who is the new vice-captain.

Jon Despontin has replaced Newell as the second-team captain and will appoint his deputy over the coming months.

Full list of Monmouth Cricket Club officers for the 2010 season: President, John Wigmore; chairman, Martin Newell; vice-chairman, Ian Morgan; secretary, Jagdev Saran; treasurer, David Williams; membership secretary, Trevor Slocombe; First team captain, Paul Swingwood; First team vice-captain, David Teague; Second team captain, Jon Despontin; Sunday fixture secretary, Jordan Charles; Ex-officio committee members, Aled Jones and Jonathan Roberts; welfare officer, Gordon Grey; junior co-ordinator, Jon Despontin; under-11 manager, Jon Despontin, under-15 manager, Dan Risk; Worcestershire League delegate, Jon Despontin; Press officers, Ian Morgan and Dan Risk; Monmouth Sports Association representatives, Martin Newell and Jagdev Saran.