Knebworth Park Cricket Club enter a new era this season with key changes at the top. Chris Johnson has stepped down as chairman after 14 years at the helm to be replaced by Mark Klimek. Mike McCrow, who has been colts chairman for almost the same number o

Knebworth Park Cricket Club enter a new era this season with key changes at the top.

Chris Johnson has stepped down as chairman after 14 years at the helm to be replaced by Mark Klimek.

Mike McCrow, who has been colts chairman for almost the same number of years, has been succeeded by Jayne Cowell.

Both Johnson and McCrow have been instrumental in developing the strength of the club, and they will continue to lend support on the club's committee, with McCrow as vice-chairman.

Klimek, previously a captain and social chairman at the club, plans to introduce an invigorating programme of social events and sponsorship.

He said: "The aim is to do well on the field - and to make sure that everyone is enjoying themselves off the field."

Last season's Herts county cup finalists are preparing for the new season which is only six weeks away, and Klimek is busy getting the club into prime shape.

As Johnson added: "It was time for a change and already we're seeing a wave of enthusiasm with a number of new initiatives that bodes well for the year ahead."

A series of new sponsors and social events will help the club to improve its facilities as the club aims to build on the success of last season when it finished third in the Saracens Herts League Division One and reached the county cup final.

To kick-start the season, the club is going on a short tour to La Manga in Spain.

A number of Twenty20 events, a six-a-side tournament, a veterans' day, a summer ball and sponsors' lunches are among the other activities planned.

Park will be captained again by Herts all-rounder Tony Skeggs with Aussie Jarrod Turner his vice-captain.

The second team will be sponsored by one of the club's young guns, Shaun Robinson, with Steve Holmes third team skipper, Bret Painter fourth team and John Inman the fifths.

The club is keen to recruit new players for the coming season. Anyone interested should call the club's chairman of playing Paul Slade 07968 163470 or first team captain Tony Skeggs on 07789 431066.