The Bradford League’s all-time highest run-scorer, Richard Robinson, will skipper Keighley in their 2013 campaign.

Last season’s vice-captain will swap roles with Max Davidson, who is stepping down after a year at the helm.

Keighley finished fifth in Division Two this year and are hoping the switch can help trigger an even stronger challenge at the top. Robinson has previously skippered the Lawkholme Laners for one season back in 2002, when the side won the Heavy Woollen Cup.

He said: “Hopefully next season we can win promotion or at least live up to the standards we are capable of.

“Some of young players have had offers from other teams but we are hoping to keep them all on board and maybe add a couple of experienced lads, though that’s easier said than done as we don’t pay players.”

Robinson is hoping to persuade former Keighley opening batsman Matt-hew Bottomley to return to the club from Undercliffe. The player has yet to make a decision.

Davidson will to continue to play a key role as righthand man to Robinson (pictured), who hinted that the youngster might be used higher up the batting order.

He said: “Max did a good job as captain. He bowled really well but sometimes didn’t bat himself high enough.”

Meanwhile the club held its annual presentation night last week, when president Edgar Bottomley was given a special award for his services to the club.

Other award winners were: First team, batting: Imran Patel; bowling, Simon Bailey; players’ player of year: Joe Stead. Second team, batting: Steve Reape; bowling: Dave Hall; players’ player of year: Richard Wood.

Hall also won the second-team Division Two bowling averages, while Jonny Wilkinson and Wood won best wicket-keeper in Division Two at first-team and second-team level respectively.