PORTLAND Red Triangle have named Martin Hewson as their new first-team captain and he has vowed to make the club "more professional."

The islanders suffered relegation from Dorset League Division Two in the summer under the guidance of outgoing skipper Simon Barrett, and plans are already being made to ensure they make a swift return.

Hewson, who was officially unveiled as the first XI's new leader at the club's AGM, said: "I played for the first team for the whole of last season and I used to go home moaning about how unprofessional it was. I kept on so much that in the end my wife said why don't you do something about it then?' "The club has made a living in recent times of turning up five minutes before a match and going straight out and playing and we cannot do that anymore. We need to be more professional.

"The captains also used to pick their sides on who they wanted rather than who was on form, which is not right, and that is why we are going to have selection committees instead.

"We are also hopefully going to have qualified coaches with all of our sides on a weekend and start turning up an hour before matches when we will do a rigorous warm up to ensure we are prepared right before taking to the pitch.

"All those things are invaluable and if people do not want to buy into it then they will find themselves not selected. I would rather have 11 players on the field that all want to improve than 11 people who think they are too good.

"The club has built up superb connections with the local community and is going from strength to strength off the field but at the end of the day it's about playing cricket.

"We have got a road map of where we want to go and we want to try and put together a three-year plan to get back to Division One. It's important we have that aim and if we do not make it I can promise you it won't be for the want of trying."

The AGM was preceded by the presentation of cheques to beneficiaries of the club's annual Charity Fete. They included The Portland Centre, The Portland Community Band, Julia's House, MV Freedom and the Portland Archaeology Society.

President Brian Riley then opened the meeting by thanking the club's committee and all its members for their efforts both on and off the field before chairman Glyn Bartholomew paid tribute to secretary Grant Neven for his continued hard work.

Bartholomew also praised everyone for their fundraising efforts while treasurer Anthony Morris gave special mentions to the tea ladies and groundsman Tim Waight.

Morris went on to add that the club had now achieved Focus Club status and would be participating in both the Natwest Cricket Force Weekend and Cricket Foundations Chance to Shine.

Other changes on the field were also announced with Pete Tombs taking over the 2nd XI captaincy, and Simon Browne and Richard Stewkesbury doing likewise for the Sunday firsts and seconds respectively.