Darryl Woods has joined Oxford Downs as captain, with Andy Buckingham coming in as the ambitious club’s new coach.

The moves, which are set to to be ratified at Downs’ annual meeting on Thursday, January 14 come as Woods outlined a three-year plan to secure promotion from the Cherwell League.

Woods (pictured left) joins Downs after 14 years at Bicester & North Oxford, while former Kidlington man Buckingham was at Oxford & Bletchingdon Nondescripts last season.

“It might seem a strange move at my age,” said Woods, who turned 46 this week.

“But I don’t think they have too many senior players and they wanted someone to bring the younger players through.

“It will be a fresh challenge for me. It is something that I am looking forward to.

“The club is also just down the road from me, so it is more convenient. The structure there is very good. I have been very impressed.

“We have a three-year plan to get into the feeder league, with Division 1 our goal.”

Woods is a life member at Bicester and admitted leaving wasn’t easy.

“The biggest thing for me was that my son, Matthew, plays there and I would like to have kept playing with him,” he said.

“My son said he is now at least guaranteed two wickets!

“It was a big decision. I have good memories and wish Bicester all the best.”