Horsham Cricket Club name new captain

Gallagher is stepping down after three successful years at the helm in which he has guided the side to two second and one third place finishes in the Sussex Premier League.

Following on in the tradition of a former colt captaining the Cricketfield Road side, middle order batsman Attfield has continued to develop his game since breaking into the first team several years ago.

The right-hander hit three half centuries last season and his best return of runs came in 2010 when he made 716 in 25 matches.

Horsham chairman John Carter backed the new man to be a success. He said: “Sam will be a good captain, he’s a very sensible lad, a good cricket brain and he’s a nice guy, we couldn’t ask for a more complete package to replace Craig.

“He’s a very competent batsman and in my view the best is still to come from him, the captaincy could be the making of him.”

And paying tribute to Gallagher, who has been made a vice president of the club and is expected to continue playing, Mr Carter said: “The side came so close to winning the league and I consider that a great success.

“But just as important for me is the fact that the team have also finished second of the fair play league two years running because we strive to be a hard club to play against but a fair one as well.”