Steve Taylor relinquishes chairman’s role at New Milton Cricket Club after 15 years but plans to assist successor Daniel Wooster as vice-chairman in 2025

Long-serving Steve Taylor has stepped down as New Milton chairman after 15 years in the Fernhill hotseat and, in total, a staggering 30 seasons on the Southern Premier League club’s management committee.

A left-arm slow bowler, he made his debut for the Green & Golds as an 11-year-old at Cadnam back in 1977 and went on to play first team league cricket from 1982 and 2012, taking 229 SPL wickets.

He captured over 500 league wickets for all of Milton's club teams, with best figures of 9-16.

“I stopped playing in 2015, having taken over the club chairmanship from John Wolfe in 2009,” he recalled.

“In my time we have gone from fielding three men’s teams on Saturdays alongside three women’s sides, with over 100 girls and women playing at Fernhill.

“I’m now helping the ground staff - probably until I drop!”

Taylor has been succeeded by Daniel Wooster as club chairman, but plans to be vice-chairman in 2025.

The Taylor family has contributed massively to cricket in the New Milton area, with elder brother Neil starting his career at Ashley before joining neighbours Bashley (Rydal), and Steve’s daughter Charlotte playing for Hampshire women and Southern Vipers. She previously played for Southern Brave.

An off-spin bowler, she was the leading wicket taker in the 2020 Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy.

It’s not just a change at the top of New Milton during the close season.

New Forest women will now play under one club as New Milton Ladies.

After going above and beyond to create such a successful girls’ section, Kevin Smith stepped down at the end of last season. Helen Ruane has taken over and will continue to develop the club’s girls’ section.

Ed Bartlett will continue to captain the men’s 1st XI with Joe Wooster officially taking on the development of the 2nds. The 3rds will see Grant Branton undergo his first season of captaincy.

There’s continuity for the women’s 1st XI with Paige Bailey continuing her captaincy while Lucky Beck remains in charge of the development of the 2nd XI.

New Milton will welcome back Thaakier Davids as their men’s overseas player, alongside Maeve Martin as the women’s overseas player.

South African Davids made 469 runs and took 16 wickets last summer.

The club are also entering a men’s Slam team for a midweek T20 league.