Carlisle Cricket Club secretary Mark Davidson is stepping down from the role after more than nine years in the post.
He took over as secretary in 2013 from Dick Scott, who ironically was part of Carlisle’s first North Lancs/CCL Championship winning side in 1970.
Mark’s departure comes after the club won the championship again for the second time in four years.
He says: “Dick had done a tremendous job as club secretary and it was fitting that he was at Fitz Park on Saturday to see us lift the league trophy. It was great to see him and have a catch up.
“Trying to follow Dick was no easy task but hopefully I’ve done a reasonable job over the years.0 It was Chris Packham (club president) who I’ve known for many years who twisted my arm initially and refused to let me out of the club gates until I’d signed on the dotted line so to speak.
“Saturday was a wonderful day for the club, our second championship in four years and only the fifth since 1970. It’s been an absolute privilege and a pleasure to have been secretary of this brilliant club and to have seen two Premier Division titles during my time.
“Yes the players are deserving of the highest praise and in Michael Slack we have the ultimate professional, but it’s every club member that is behind this success from pathway development to business plans and beyond.
“It’s perhaps wrong to single out individuals but chairman Mike Rayson, Michael, Marc Brown (ex 1st XI captain), Bryan Laidlow (assistant secretary) and Les Morris (treasurer) have been the backbone that have overseen the changes and improvements at Edenside.
“The members at Carlisle have been brilliant with me and it was extremely humbling on Saturday evening to hear such kind comments. Although I’m stepping back I certainly won’t be disappearing and will always have an input into developments at Edenside.”
Mark switches to his other love, hockey, next week-end when he starts another season of umpiring in the English National League. “I’m off to York on Saturday for a regional game then to Leeds on Sunday for a National Conference fixture so it’s a busy start,” he said.
He will stand down at the club’s annual general meeting at the end of next month.
