RYAN Beck admitted frustration over his own loss of form had brought forward his to decision to stand down as captain of New Milton.

Beck hands over the reins to right-hand man James Park with immediate effect ahead of Saturday’s trip to Totton & Eling.

The decision brings to an end uncertainty over the position after Beck had initially resigned at the end of last season before stepping back in for one last push for promotion from the Southern Premier League Division One.

Beck confirmed from the outset that 2015 would be his last at the helm but with a broken finger stifling his form during the opening weeks of the campaign, he has decided to step aside.

In a short statement released by the club, Beck said: “I want to get into the side on merit and not because I’m the captain.”

During his tenure, Beck led the Fernhill outfit to victory in the President’s Cup and T20 Plate.

New Milton have won three out of three league matches so far but Beck missed their latest triumph, a five-wicket victory over Liphook & Ripsley, through injury.

It was the first match he had missed for 12 years having played through the pain barrier at Calmore Sports and Hartley Wintney. He leaves his side second in the table behind Hook & Newnham.