Devon Cricket Board - South Devon sign ex-Devon skipper Hancock

South Devon sign ex-Devon skipper Hancock

FORMER county captain Neil Hancock is on his way to South Devon next summer to spearhead the club’s hoped for revival.

Hancock has amassed 10,143 Devon League runs – 8,839 of them in the Premier Division – and taken 657 wickets during a career that started with Torquay in 1996.

Somerset used the fast-bowling all-rounder in the early days of T20 cricket back in 2004 and he went on to play for the Unicorns in the CB 40 competition against the First Class counties during the 2010 season.

He played for Devon from 2005 until last season – skippering the side in 2010 and most of 2011 - and remains available for selection in one-day cricket if required.

Hancock is one of only three players to make back-to-back centuries for Devon in the same match – and he was not-out both times! The others are Torquay’s Matt Thompson and Budleigh Salterton’s Bob Dawson.

The Aussie-born 37 year old slammed 53 not out off jut 26 balls for Devon at Lord’s in the 2008 MCCA Cup win over Berkshire, one of the fastest half-centuries ever made on the famous old ground.

Hancock has played for Torquay, the now-defunct Buckfastleigh club, Sidmouth, Paignton, Sidmouth again and finally Bovey Tracey during his career in Devon.

South Devon may be the last stop on the merry-go-round for Hancock – and it promises to be his toughest assignment yet.

The Newton Abbot club have signed a two-year deal with Hancock, whom they hope will be the catalyst for a massive upturn in fortunes.

South Devon are one of the oldest clubs in Devon, formed in 1850, and were founder members of the Devon League in 1972.

The club dropped out of the Premier Division in 1994 and despite a couple of near misses was unable to regain a place at the top table.

The club that nurtured future England players John Childs and Len Coldwell suffered successive relegations in 2012 and 2013 down to the Devon League C Division.

South Devon have not won a game in the league since the penultimate Saturday of the 2011 season – and are determined the slide has to stop now!

Hancock has dropped four divisions from the Premier to play for South Devon and is well aware of the task ahead.

“South Devon have had a pretty tough time of it over the past couple of years and have got into a bit of a rut,” said Hancock.

“The players I have met are keen to start climbing the league again and I am keen to help them.

“I hope to do my bit with bat and ball and use my experience to get the best out of the team.

“At this stage of my career it is an exciting challenge – and as I live five minutes from the ground it is right on the doorstep.”

Ali Wright, who has taken over from Jonty Parsons as South Devon’s 1st XI captain for 2014 said: "Neil was number one on my list of transfer targets, and to get him on board is a massive coup for us.

“This season is a massive one for South Devon as we need to start putting right a lot of the things we have been getting wrong for the last couple of seasons.

“Having Neil in the ranks is a statement that we are back and South Devon mean business for next year and beyond.”

South Devon will begin their Winter training program in February.

Any players interested in being part of the South Devon revival should contact Wright on 07886 019 643.

DCB Ltd, University of Exeter Sports Hall, Stocker Road, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QN Company Registration Number: 7024773