MATT Atkinson will captain Pocklington for a third successive season.

Atkinson, 30, who lives in Elvington, skippered the Percy Road outfit to the Yorkshire Three title in his first season and led them to third spot in Yorkshire Two last term.

The forward previously played in North 1 with Huddersfield before returning to join his hometown club in 2001. Pock open their new campaign at home to Ripon tomorrow.

Atkinson's new vice-captain will be 23-year-old centre Sandy Mitchell, who played for England Schools when he was captain at Pocklington School.

Mitchell, from Burnby, returned to Percy Road a year ago after three years with Newcastle Falcons.

Rich Williman is the new skipper of the Panthers with teenage flanker Phil Drew vice-captain.

Andy Bowden, another former first-team captain, is the new resources manager while Tim Slater, whose involvement with the club goes back 70 years, takes over as president.

Updated: 10:33 Friday, September 02, 2005