Former captain Ben Stephens has backed his successor Andrew Kennedy to help Colchester and East Essex flourish on their return to the top flight.

Stephens stepped down as first XI skipper at the Castle Park club after just one season and has been replaced by the experienced Kennedy.

Kennedy, who is also Colchester chairman, will be tasked with guiding the club’s youngsters to success following their promotion back to the Shepherd Neame Essex League premier division.

And Stephens believes the experienced club stalwart is the ideal man to help the newly-promoted side flourish.

He said: “I think it’s great that Andrew is captain.

“With his experience, he will act as a school master kind of figure who will advise people and that will be vital.

“There are several young players who are candidates to be captain for the future and Sam Foster is one of them.

“For the last three or four years we’ve not really had a game plan with a captain.

“But we have a five-year plan at least in place now.”

Stephens admits he is looking forward to concentrating on his bowling, after relinquishing the captaincy.

“There was a lot of pressure on me to perform and I had to put myself last,” he said.

“If I can just concentrate on what I can do to try and help the team, it’ll be a massive weight off my shoulders.

“But even though I’m no longer captain, I’ll still have an influence and the youngsters will also have their say.”

Colchester’s players are currently preparing for the first game of the new Shepherd Neame Essex League premier division season against Chelmsford, on May 9.

They train indoors at Holmwood House School on Thursday evenings from 7.30-9.30pm and are always looking for new members.

Any senior players wishing to join the club should contact Andrew Kennedy on andrew_2_kennedy@yahoo.co.uk