AFTER a season of stark contrasts for Ashton-under-Hill’s first and second teams, the club is looking forward to next year with some optimism, players heard at the annual general meeting.

The first team won promotion to the Cotswold Hills Premier League after finishing runners-up in Division One.

The seconds, however, finished second-from-bottom in Division Five and, depending on the result of an appeal, may be playing in Division Six next season.

Re-elected club chairman Guy Garland told the meeting: “The firsts had a really good year, the seconds a much more sorry story. “But I’m looking forward to taking the club into another season and the challenges of the premier league.”

First-team skipper Will Archer, who was also re-elected, said: “We have a good spirit in the team and there’s no reason that we won’t hold our own in the Premier Division.”

Jayesh Patel was elected first team vice-captain.

Garland is to take on match day captaincy of the second team, replacing Mike Banks, who has decided to stand down after many years’ service, but will continue to play.

Stewart Hodges remains as Sunday captain and fixture secretary, Elliot Seal is the new mid-week Twenty20 captain and Sam Cope the mid-week afternoon skipper.

Alistair Keen has stepped down as club secretary after several years in the post and he was thanked by the chairman for all his hard work.