BIG Matt Cocken has been declared the new captain of the King’s Road after winning enough votes to topple tinkerman Raju Mazumder.
The burly Northerner – who helped found the club back in 2007 – beat off stiff competition from his incumbent rival in the Orange Caps’ first ever captaincy election.
Spinner Raju had led the team in a two-year spell that included back-to-back series wins against bitter local rivals the Battersea Badgers.
But the election went against him and the result was declared early after Matt passed the threshold of votes cast needed to seal the win.
With 19 votes cast and two abstentions out of 25, it became impossible for Raju to overhaul his rival when Matt hit 12 – even though the poll was due to close at 10pm tomorrow.
At the time of writing Raju had polled seven votes, giving Matt a majority of five.
Speaking after being told of the win, Matt paid tribute to his predecessor and revealed how he will take the club forward.
Matt said: “I’d just like to say what an honour and privilege it is to be voted in as captain of the mighty KRCSC. Thank you all for your support!
“I view the captaincy not only as a position of great power; but also of great responsibility.
“And I promise to give nothing less than 115 per cent in being the best captain that I can be, and to ensure that I live up to your expectations.
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“I’d also like to thank Raju for being an honourable and worthy opponent in this election.
“I hope that he will continue to lend his experience and enthusiasm to assist and guide me, and the club, in the coming season.
“Without his time at the helm the club wouldn’t be what it is today, and I hope you’d all join me in expressing our gratitude.
“The coming season will bring with it many challenges. We will face tough opponents, both new and old, and there be may be many unforeseen obstacles in our path.
“But if we stand together as a team, train hard and stay true to our roots, I know we have the potential to build on what we have achieved and make 2010 the greatest season in The Road’s illustrious history.
“I can not predict the future. Someday there may be a team of Badgers that prevails over a King’s Road team.
“A season when squashy green hats triumph over battered and torn orange caps. But I will say to you that this is NOT that season. We are NOT that team.
“I’ll see you all at nets.”
Thanks for the ride but it’s time I got off the train.
Raju
King’s Road Cricket and Social Club captain 2008-2009
27 matches, 7 wins, 19 losses and 1 draw.