COLCHESTER and East Essex skipper Jake Foley is ‘very motivated’ to achieve success this season, according to club chairman Andrew Kennedy.

Foley experienced an eventful maiden campaign as the Castle Park club’s first XI skipper last year, after being appointed as Tom Ullyott’s successor.

The former Hampshire player was the youngest first XI skipper in the club’s history but was unable to steer Colchester to Shepherd Neame Essex League top-flight safety, following their relegation to division one.

But Foley, who represented Suffolk last weekend, is back and raring to go for another season after spending the winter months playing club cricket in Western Australia, playing for Peel side Pinjarra Cricket Club.

And with his experiences behind him chairman Kennedy believes the 23-year-old will return all guns blazing, for the forthcoming campaign.

Kennedy said: “Jake has matured a lot over the last six months.

“He went out to Perth to play and because of that, he’s a step ahead of everyone else and feeling sharp and ready to play.

“He’s very motivated to do well, this season.

“He’s looking forward to the challenge of being first XI captain again and hopefully, trying to help us get promoted at the first time of asking.

“His first year as captain was disappointing in that we were relegated but at the same time, he will have benefited from that experience.”

Colchester host Chelmsford in the first round of the Dukes League Cup, tomorrow.

If they win, they will play either Epping or Leigh on Sea in the next round on May 5.

Their starting line-up at Castle Park this weekend is likely to include Grenada under-19 international Denson Narayan.

The off spinner and middle-order batsman was originally based in Chippenham but has recently relocated to Colchester Garrison.

He has joined Zimbabwe international Taurai Muzarabani in linking up with Colchester’s first XI squad this season but there have also been departures, too.

Ben Allison has joined premier division side Brentwood, while Greg Stephens has left to link up with Two Counties Championship division one side Witham.

Kennedy added: “We’re disappointed to see Ben go but I can also understand why he’s moved on, to play in the premier division.

“We hope we can go straight back up but he’s looking to progress as high as he can and he’s hoping to feature for Essex’s second XI, this year.

“He’s currently injured at the moment but he will be a loss.

“Greg didn’t have a great season last year by his standards and I think he just felt that he needed a change.

“He had a great season for us the year before last and it’s very likely he’d have played for us this season but we wish him well.”