SELF-CONFESSED non-batsman Nigel Durham signed off his York Cricket Club playing career warmed by a willow-wielding memory, writes Josh Luckhurst.

The first team wicketkeeper and club chairman was an integral part of the club’s seventh successive capture of the Solly Sports Yorkshire ECB County Premier League championship.

That success further swelled a host of achievements and memories from his 19-year association with the Clifton Park club’s first team.

As he reflected on the highlight Durham said: “Well, as a wicketkeeper who cannot bat, securing this season’s title when Glen Richmond and myself knocked off 43 for the last wicket was pretty special.

“Winning our first league title in 2004 has to be up there. Also, my final year as skipper in 2003, when I got the most dismissals in the league, was a great personal achievement.”

The former skipper is confident his ‘old’ side can continue to dominate the Yorkshire set-up.

He described the current crop of players in the first team as “exceptional” and he hoped to be able to celebrate future achievements with them as their chairman.

During his shorter tenure as chairman, York also won the ECB national knockout trophy – another feat he holds in high regard.

Despite his departure from the first team, Durham will not be venturing too far away as he intends to be keeping wicket for the second XI next season – a role he is excited to be taking up.

On whether he will miss playing for the senior side, he added: “I’m relieved. No, I am joking, I will miss it as I have been with the first team for 19 years but now I have a new challenge and I am really looking forward to it.”

This is not the first time Durham has hung up his gloves after previously ‘retiring’ in 2012 before coming back into the fold for a variety of reasons.

But he is adamant he has played his final match for the first XI.

Said Durham: “I have had more comebacks than Frank Sinatra, but I will not be stepping back up to the firsts next year.

“Last year was different as their wicketkeeper stepped down and they asked me so I was happy to go back.

“However, I definitely won’t be next season.”

The well-known figure, who works in the heart unit at the Nuffield Health hospital in York, has had to juggle his responsibilities at work alongside his dual role as player and chairman.

He said: “It was a bit of a struggle being in both roles at first but I have loved every moment of it.

“I have had big boots to fill in Chris Houseman – he was a legend at the club.

“The club is progressing all the time.

“We have a great junior sector alongside four great senior sides so I want that to carry on.”