A new face will be leading the push to get Colchester and East Essex Cricket Club's first team promoted back to the top division of the Shepherd Neame Essex League this year.

Ian Flanagan has stepped down from the first-team skipper's role at the club and will be playing his cricket at Hornchurch in the premier division of the Shepherd Neame Essex League for the 2005 season.

Flanagan said he decided to relinquish the captaincy around Christmas.

He added former first-team skipper Andrew Kennedy will be replacing him at the helm for this summer's push to get the side promoted back to the highest level of the Essex League.

Last summer ended in disappointment when Colchester and East Essex failed to win promotion into the premier division following their relegation the previous year.

But in contrast it was a triumphant year for Hornchurch who ended the season in second spot in the division one table to secure their own move up.

"I have spent ten to 12 years at Colchester and it was a good time to have a change and a fresh challenge," he said.

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Published Thursday, January 27, 2005

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