Weston CC captain says he has always acted with the 'right intentions'

Davidson has captained Weston for nine years and says it’s not not up to him whether he should stay on in the role, knowing he does not have many years left.

Weston beat Shapwick & Polden last weekend by four wickets to ensure their safety and now have one final game left of their season this afternoon against Golden Hill at Devonshire Road.

Despite a lot of uncertainty Davidson confirmed he will not leave Weston and will be at the club next year.

“It isn’t and shouldn’t be my decision whether I carry on,” he said.

“If the club and players decide I’m needed then it’ll be discussed in the winter. As always though, I’ll happily stand aside and support someone else if they choose to stand. 

“Selfishly I need to make a decision over the next few years about whether I can continue playing the role I play, regardless of the captaincy. I do it because it’s best for the club, but it’s not necessarily what’s best for me. 

“I think I’m a better player than the batting positions I occupy and the overs I bowl and i prove that time and again when the chips are down. I don’t have too long left playing and I’d love a year where I can just enjoy my own game.

“There’s no point in me blocking young players opportunities, but there is an element of enjoyment I’m missing on the pitch and I’ve done more than my fair share of making way for everyone else. 

“I’ve had nine years of captaincy now. I’ve invested a lot of time, effort and money and I’ve had to do it all through a really tough transition. It’s a pretty thankless job being a volunteer at a sports club. You do it for the love of your club. 

“I’m pretty proud that with all the stresses and challenges over those years that I’ve come back year after year and given the club some stability when we needed it. It’s really not been easy. It can be draining at times, especially in relegation battles and I’m pretty exhausted now from a really busy winter and tough summer. 

“If this turns out to be my last game as club captain, or even my last as a first team player, I can happily look anyone in the eye and say I gave it my all.

“I may not have got things right 100 per cent of the time, but I did everything with the right intentions and always put the team and the club first. I feel like I’ve given as much to this club as anyone. I’ll be at Weston next year in some capacity, that is for certain.”

Despite staying up Davidson says their season has been marred with a number of obstacles. 

In winter Weston lost leading runscorers Pete Trego and Sam Elstone to Lumbini as their new Head Coach and Sidmouth respectively as well as new signing Ash Allen to Uphill Castle in May.

There were also problems with lack of players being available for games.

But Davidson says his side have just got on with it and done the best they can.  

“It’s been pretty challenging season personally,” he added.

“From a captaincy point of view it’s been far from straight forward with lots of challenges and selection issues to manage.

“There have been various distractions and frustrations along the way, but we’ve just got on and done the best we can. You expect criticism, it’s part of the role, I’m used to it.”

Davidson admitted his campaign has been dogged by injuries which have affected his game throughout the term.

“I had pre-season and the first month playing with a broken finger and then continual hip and lower back problems through the middle of the season so I’ve really struggled at times,” he said

“Despite getting a lot fitter this winter and losing 10kg, I guess age is just catching up with me. 

“I’d have liked to have contributed more with the bat particularly, but someone has to take the short straw and give up their game so younger players get opportunities. 

“It’s not a role I particularly enjoy because you can’t gain or maintain form, and whilst it’s gone unnoticed for many years, it’s absolutely the right thing to do for the team.”