ANDREW Kennedy says he is departing his role as Colchester and East Essex Cricket Club chairman on a high note.

The long-serving Castle Park player ended his long spell in the position last month and has been succeeded by David Beales.

Kennedy presided over plenty of success during his ten years as chairman, including last season's impressive promotion back to the Shepherd Neame Essex League top flight.

Kennedy, who is still on Colchester's club committee, said: "It was a great season for the guys, last year.

"It's great for us to be back up in the premier division, especially for the promotion to happen in my last season as chairman.

"We have yo-yoed a bit between the premier division and division one in that time but it's fantastic that the club is back in the top division again.

"We've won trophies during my time as chairman but for me, the more tangible success in that time was the development of the women's section, the net facilities and the second pitch being unveiled."

Kennedy, who has moved to Cheshire but hopes to still play for Colchester and East Essex again in the future, has been succeeded in the role of chairman by David Beales.

The Anglican Minister, who is currently working as a ministry coach and mentor, has a long association with Colchester and East Essex CC and first played cricket at Castle Park as a 14 year old, in 1969.

"David played for the club at an early age and has been a part of it for some time now," said Kennedy, who plans to play for his local club Alderley Edge CC when cricket resumes.

"We were looking for someone who will have a different outlook, in terms of running the cricket club.

"We have people at the club who have done it before and have done a great job but we wanted someone with a slightly different perspective on the club.

"I was very involved in the day to day running of it and I think it's nice to have someone in the role now who is a bit more detached."

Colchester's return season in the top flight is currently on hold, due to the coronavirus pandemic.

All Essex League cricket has been suspended until July at the earliest, due to the ongoing Covid-19 crisis.