DAVID Ridley has succeeded Paul Thompson as chairman of the ECB Southern Electric Premier Cricket League, the latter having stepped down after four years at the helm.

In his playing career, Mr Ridley, a chartered accountant, was a wicket-keeper batsman, who played ten seasons for Dorset in Minor Counties Championship cricket.

He played Southern League cricket for Bournemouth and opened the batting for the team that won the Southern League for the first time in 1984.

He took up coaching, taking charge of Dorset age group teams and also managing/coaching Lions’ sides winning many accolades.

Mr Ridley, pictured above left, has served on the Premier League Management Committee for five years and he was vice chairman in 2013.