YORK captain Nick Kay is eager to carve the Clifton Park club’s name into the record books in the final season of the Solly Sports Yorkshire ECB County Premier Cricket League.

A reorganisation of league cricket in the county means that York will line up in the new ECB Premier Yorkshire League North next year, and Kay is hoping to go out with a bang.

York are currently tied with Scarborough on 13 championship wins and a 14th would ensure the club go down as the most successful in the history of the competition.

There is extra motivation in wresting the crown back from Yorkshire Academy, after the Headingley youngsters halted York’s unprecedented seven-year title-winning sequence.

With hugely successful skipper Dan Woods moving on over the winter, long-serving all-rounder and club secretary Kay has taken over the reins as captain.

“I am excited that the season is finally here,” said Kay. “It’s been a long winter waiting for it to come around. I have filled in as captain but this is the first time I have been permanent club captain and it is a real honour.

“Our last two skippers are the two most successful the club has ever had. Marcus Wood won five titles on the bounce and Dan Woods added two more and the national knockout.

“I have got some big shoes to fill, but it is a challenge I am very much relishing.”

He added: “If you look at the record books, Scarborough have won 13 titles and so have we.

“Finishing top of the pile and getting to 14 is the biggest motivation, to finish as the most successful team in the history of the league.”

Prolific opener Simon Lambert, the league’s top run-scorer in 2014, will form a first-wicket partnership with new overseas signing Adam Whatley.

There is also a debut for former Appleby Frodingham wicket- keeper Tom Brooks.

Kay said: “With Simon, Adam and Liam McKendry, I think we have got the strongest top three in the league. Overall, it is the strongest batting line-up I can remember.

“With Dan leaving, we are losing a lot of wickets, but Simon Lambert, Ryan McKendry and Tom Pringle are three good spin bowlers.

“In the seam bowling department, we have got Liam McKendry and I am looking forward to seeing Chris Burn and Charlie Elliot bowl.”

York warmed up for tomorrow’s opener at home to Barnsley with a 45-over clash with Bradford Leaguers Pudsey St Lawrence last Saturday, and then a Twenty20 game against touring Scottish side Grange the following day.

York totalled 356 against St Lawrence before bowling out the opposition for 190, while Grange were restricted to 150 as Kay’s men won by six wickets.

York (v Barnsley): Lambert, Whatley, L McKendry, R McKendry, Collins, Love, Kay, Elliot, Brooks, Pringle, Burn.