Martin Burton is convinced he can make his Huntingdon & District homecoming a success on two fronts.

The former Minor Counties star, 43, has returned to a club he last graced more than 20 years ago to succeed another hugely experienced figure, Freddie Khan, as captain. Khan is now cricket manager behind the scenes.

Not only does Burton expect the club to be challenging at the sharp end of the Tucker Gardner League Division Two table, he also wants to bring through a new generation of talent in the town.

Burton, who spent the last two summers with Kimbolton, said: “It was a huge honour to be asked to come back to Huntingdon & District as captain.

“I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Kimbolton – which is a great club itself – and it was a tough decision to leave, but I’m relishing the challenge that lies ahead.

“The aim is for us to be competing for a top-four finish while giving youngsters the opportunity to step into Tucker Two cricket.

“I feel we can achieve both goals if we get the balance right in what I expect to be a pretty competitive league all round.

“I certainly don’t see any team standing out from the crowd as Eaton Socon did last summer when winning the title with ease.

“It will come down to consistency with the new format making things a lot more interesting.

“I was pushing for win/lose cricket 15 years ago as the competition had become stale, and I’m delighted it is finally here.

“It should create more excitement and hopefully attract a few more spectators to games.”

It has been a quiet winter with minimal player movement in and out.

One Pakistani overseas player has been replaced with another as Hamza Paracha – a spin-bowling opening batsman who has played to a good level in his homeland – fills a void left by Khaqan Arsal.

The only other departure of note is that of Nikhil Kumpukkal to neighbours St Ives.

But is has been far busier behind the scenes as Huntingdon & District have revamped their St Peters Road clubhouse. The project, funded by the club itself, along with the generous backing of local businesses, was led by Martyn Rowbotham.

A new kitchen was donated by Howdens Joinery while other work was carried out by Gould Construction, BC Plasterers and Cambridge Interiors.

MP for Huntingdon, Jonathan Djanogly, completed the official re-opening last Sunday.