Derek Primett is set to become The Oxford Times Cherwell League's first president.

Primett, 72, has been league chairman since 1996, having previously been chairman of the Trinity League.

However, the popular Primett has suffered from ill health in recent months, and will be unable to continue in the role.

He has confirmed to the league that he will be stepping down at the annual meeting at Bicester & North Oxford CC on Thursday, November 22 (7.30pm).

Now league chiefs have decided to recognise Primett's service by proposing that he be elected to the new position of president.

Secretary Peter Tomlin said: "He was very positive and very delighted that we had gone down this route and proposed this for him.

"I think Derek realised that he would never take an active part in cricket any more unfortunately."

Paying tribute to Primett's work as chairman, Tomlin added: "He is a 100 per cent cricket man with cricket at heart.

"His aim was always to make sure that the Cherwell League was the best administered league around, and I think because of him and the people who worked with him over the years, it certainly is."

The league executive have also nominated Banbury chairman Martin Phillips to be the new chairman.

With no other nominations having been received by the closing date, he looks set to take on the role.

Tomlin said: "He is well-known is cricketing circles.

Banbury are an extremely good and successful club, and Martin was very helpful to the executive when we went through the problems we had last year with clubs sniping away at us.

"When we started looking for someone, from our point of view, he was top of the list."

Meanwhile, league chiefs are also to recommend to clubs at the annual meeting that OCAn champions Twyford and Great Brickhill, winners of Four Counties League Division 1, be elected for next season.

Abingdon 4th, Banbury Twenty 3rd, Bledlow Village 3rd and Cumnor 4th are also set to enter extra teams - subject to their grounds being passed.