The man who would be King

Scott Woodroffe, who has taken over the chairman's reigns from Trevor Ramsden, stood down at the end of the 2004 campaign after the thick end of three seasons at the helm.

The popular choice as successor among the gathering at Sidley Sports Club was Peter King, who has had two previous stints in charge of the Gullivers club. But King, the club's leading wicket taker last season with 40 Sussex Division Two scalps at an average of 14.3, insisted that he was only willing to hold down the role in the absence of an interested party and on the proviso that specific off-the-field conditions were agreed.

With these conditions still unconfirmed, the skipper is likely to be decided at a players' meeting on a date to be confirmed probably during January.

Ramsden replaces Guy Montgomery as second team boss with Ian Mollart second in command whilst Robin Cooper takes over Ramsden's previous role as third team chief to be assisted by Neil Watson. The possible abolition of the thirds, set to play in East Sussex Division Ten in 2005, was staunchly rebutted by all in attendance.

The productive link with Dr Mo Aslam of sponsors Excel Sports Management in the search for an overseas player looks set to continue with three Pakistani players seemingly in the frame to succeed Faisal Naveed.