Brightlingsea stalwart Mick Barry has waved a controversial goodbye to the Two Counties League club's second eleven captaincy after a reign of more than 15 years.

And the 44-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman blamed the league's move to play cricket only on Saturdays for his decision to quit.

"That's the main reason why I am standing down," said a rueful Barry on Wednesday.

"I have been playing cricket for Brightlingsea every weekend for more than 20 years, but because of the restructuring next season every league game must be played on a Saturday.

"If they took a straw poll of a lot of the Two Counties players I'm sure it would show the restructuring is something not many are looking forward to.

"It made up my mind that I've had enough. The prospect of playing Saturdays only and playing double headers doesn't appeal to me, I'm afraid.

"I prefer to play cricket more for enjoyment which I will be doing on Sundays from now on."

The exact constitution will not be decided until the league's annual meeting on October 5, but Brightlingsea seconds will be playing somewhere around division seven.

As a result of the new Saturdays-only policy, Brightlingsea have applied to join the Osborne League.

Strike one - Dedham's Kevin Hood hits out in his side's final Osborne League match of the season against Halstead Fenns.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.