RYAN Beck insists 2015 will be his last year as New Milton captain due to family commitments - and concerns over his waistline.

Beck had quit as skipper in August after the Green and Golds had narrowly missed out on promotion to the top flight of the Southern Premier League, despite topping the Division One standings for virtually the entire season.

Vice-captain James Park had been sounded out to take over but Beck subsequently experienced a change of heart. And he is due to lead New Milton for their imminent league campaign which begins tomorrow at newly-promoted Calmore Sports (1pm).

Beck told the Daily Echo: "There was quite a lot of people that said I should reconsider and one night I thought, ' you could probably do it for another season'.

"We came so close last year so I decided I would like to have another stab at it. I must admit, I think this will definitely be my last year as captain. I'm getting fatter and fatter and worse and worse!

"Next year I will let someone else decide if they need me in the team.

"I will still play and do what's asked but a lot of time goes into the captaincy, which I don't think people realise. It's not just about being there for the toss of the coin and saying, 'I want to have a bowl'.

"I put a lot into being captain, it's not just on the pitch, it's training and coaching and sorting things out like covers and screens.

"I've got a family to consider and while next year I will still be playing, I will have a lot more time for my family.

"My son George is five and he loves a bat. I coach the under-nines and he's training with us already!"

New Milton: R Beck, L Beck, Elliott, Loader, J Park, N Park, Edwards, Lowes, Watts, House, Haggaty.

BLOBBournemouth kick-off their Division One campaign at home to Hook & Newnham Basics (1pm) and captain Martin Miller is hopeful his team can improve on last season's fourth-placed finish.

He said: "We are stronger on paper than last year but we have to put some performances in that prove that."

Bournemouth: Hayward, Bridgen, Badenhorst, Finnie, Kitchin, Miller, Hurley, Matthews, Pack, Smith, Woodward.

BLOB In the Premier Division, Lymington begin their league season with a trip to St Cross Symondians (1pm).

Lymo: Rogers, Hand, McManus, Scott, Cowley, C Grierson, Ambrose, Beetham, Ellis, Metcalfe, Ashkenazi.