FORMER Grappenhall captain, chairman, and president John Bygate has been elected as president of the Cheshire County Cricket League on a two-year term.

Bygate, from Warrington, was elected at the annual meeting to succeed Ian Brown.

He joined Grappenhall as a boy and has remained loyal all his life, mainly playing for the second XI as an opening batsman and captained the team in the 1960s.

Bygate went on to serve as chairman for 10 years, then president for 18 years.

In 1982 while Grappenhall were still members, he joined the Manchester Association management committee and launched a grounds committee to improve playing conditions, later serving as chairman.

When the County League expanded and Grappenhall were elected in 1993, he was invited to become deputy chairman.

Bygate also ran the league's presentation dinner committee for many years and was primarily responsible for its growing success.

* GRAPPENHALL’S Broad Lane ground is to stage its first Dukes County Championship match from Sunday, July 5, to Tuesday, July 7, with Dorset the visitors.