Flashback! Devon League chairman Nick Rogers (left) presenting the services to the league cup to David Gambie as last year's DCL AGM

FORMER chairman David Gambie has returned to the Tolchards Devon Cricket League management team as the new playing regulations and rules secretary.

The league has been looking for a playing regulations and rules secretary since Ray Allen stepped down after Christmas.

Gambie, who is a retired financial services professional, was a no-nonsense and rigorous chairman of the league between 2006-2009. His attention to detail will help the drafting of rules and regulations for presentation to clubs, avoiding pitfalls and unintended consequences at annual meetings.

Ed Leverton the league secretary, said Gambie has already got to work in his new voluntary position.

“Much of David’s early work has been integrating the playing regulations and rule changes, passed at the recent extraordinary general meeting into the text for the 2019 edition of the league handbook,” said Leverton.

“In undertaking this work, David believes some minor ambiguity has also been removed and believes this will benefit the officials of member clubs and the league’s management committee.”

In an introductory letter going out to club, Gambie thanks Allen for his efforts as architect of the wider changes made to the league regulations and rules.

In his new role with the league Gambie said: “My door is always open and where clubs have concerns over the existing regulations and how they might be improved, they should get in touch.”

Nick Rogers, the league chairman, said: “There were two expressions of interest in this post, which is always encouraging.

“Dave, with his vast experience of cricket in Devon, was the outstanding candidate.”

Gambie had a lengthy playing career as a left-arm seamer with Exeter St Thomas, Exeter CC and Topsham St James. He was in at the start of the Devon League in 1972 as a player at St Thomas.

As well as his stint as league chairman, Gambie served on the league committee, was secretary of Exeter CC and is president of Devon Seniors CC. He finds time to umpire on the Devon League panel. At the competition’s annual meeting last year, he was presented with the services-to-the-league trophy.

Gambie can be contacted on 07443 424376 or email at djg7gilsteph@virginmedia.com