Roger and out as Jones hands over

New chairman for Clifton and Hewitt takes on captaincy

ROGER Jones has stood down after a 20-year stint as Clifton Cricket Club chairman and, in a fulsome tribute at the club’s AGM, was described as having “transformed a club that will be forever in his debt.”

Jones, whose involvement with the club dates back 55 years, hands over to Stuart Blake, who said: “I have huge shoes to fill but, in typical fashion, Roger has planned this for a couple of years and we’ve been discussing the handover during that time.

“I want to continue his plans and look to build on the club’s solid foundations as Roger leaves his role with the club in an incredibly strong position both on and off the field.”

Jones will continue to manage the ground and hold the role of honorary club president.

“It’s been an honour to serve as chairman but now is the right time to move on,” he said.

“The participation in the club and the use of the facilities is incredible and I am thankful to the many volunteers who have helped over the years.

“I am immensely proud of what we have achieved both on and off the field and I look forward to my new role as club president.”

In his time with Clifton, Jones filled almost every role on and off the field and has always volunteered when something needs doing.

As a player, he was an imposing lefthander who opened the batting for many years and also captained both first and second teams.

He was also a more than useful leftarm “spinner”, always claiming that he did not actually spin the ball, while his height and guile had batsmen in two minds.

As a slip fielder, he took many catches off the pace bowlers.

He was still good enough to score 97 not out for the third team as recently as June, 2019, a season in which he scored 540 runs.

At the AGM, the club also appointed Josh Hewitt as first team captain for 2022.

Hewitt joined the club from Checkley for last season, having been with them since 2006. After starting in the second team, he became established in the first team by the end of the season, scoring 410 runs with a top score of 59.

● A detailed look at Roger Jones’ time with the club is on page 47.

Josh Hewitt (main picture) has been appointed as Clifton’s first team captain for next season, while Roger Jones (right) stands down after a long stint as chairman but will still be very much involved.