Wisbech Town Cricket Club’s new captain Alan Burton relishing promotion challenge
OPENING batsman Alan Burton says he will relish the challenge of leading Wisbech Town Cricket Club to promotion next season.
The 26-year-old walked out on Northants Premier Division champions Peterborough Town last week in order to take the reins at Harecroft Road.
He will succeed James Williams, who is stepping down due to work commitments, as captain.
“It’s a new challenge for me,” said Burton. “It probably is a bit of a drop in standard but I want to get Wisbech into the East Anglian Premier League.
“We want to get promoted but we want to do it the right way. We don’t want to do it in a ridiculous way where you upset all the existing players.
“Wisbech have been there or thereabouts in previous years and hopefully, with a new face and one or two new ideas, we can kick on.”
Burton, who plays alongside Williams and Gary Freear for Cambridgeshire, began his career at Upwood before moving to March. He has represented the University Centre of Cricketing Excellence (UCCE), playing at The Oval and Lords.
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His move comes after he was overlooked for the captain’s job at Peterborough, who will be led by all-rounder Lewis Bruce next season.
“I didn’t enjoy Peterborough too much last year even though we won the league,” said Burton. “Wisbech has always been a club that I’ve enjoyed playing at.
“I wanted to captain a side, that was a big thing for me. I think I can get more out of myself as a player if I’m captain.”
Burton said he was not looking to change much at Wisbech but admitted they may bring in an overseas player “if we can find one that’s good enough and not expensive”. Former Australian overseas star Sam Brandon is thought to be top of the list.
Williams, who led Wisbech to a third-placed finish in the Tucker Gardner Premier Division last season, said Burton was a “very good acquisition”.
“He is a serious cricketer,” said Williams. “He’s played first-class cricket and it will be good for our youngsters to learn off him.
“When someone like that wants to play for you, you don’t say no.”
