FORMER England batsman Micky Stewart says his appointment as Corinthian Casuals club president is an honour.

The 83-year-old accepted the role after former president Jimmy Hill passed away at the end of last year.

The former England batsman, with nearly 27,000 first-class runs to his name, also played football for Hendon, Charlton and Wimbledon, as well as a season at Corinthian Casuals in 1955.

He has been closely affiliated with the club ever since, managing the side from 1970 to 75 and becoming a regular follower.

And Cobham-based Stewart is thrilled to follow in the footsteps of football legend Hill.

He said: “I will just be a figurehead with no influence in major club decisions.

“Having watched them regularly this season and been involved with the club since the 50s, it is of course a great honour for me. I have seen them play 21 times home and away this season, and have really enjoyed it.”

Stewart replaced great friend Jimmy Hill as club president, and paid tribute to the man he had known since the 1950s and attended the memorial in Coventry.

He added: “I knew Jimmy a very long time. He actually tried to convince me to join Fulham before I joined Charlton. He was an exceptional character who was a huge innovator and a very ambitious man. Everything he was involved in, he introduced something new and it is particularly touching to see how much the people of Coventry worship Jimmy.”

Casuals still harbour hopes of making the Ryman Division One South play-offs after a fantastic first season under former Sutton United reserve team manager James Bracken.

And Stewart, who knows a thing or two about management having been the England cricket team boss in his time, believes getting the players to enjoy themselves has been the secret of Bracken’s success.

“Promotion is possible if they continue the way they are – it’s been a real joy this season,” he added. The players have been just incredible this season considering they don’t get paid a penny and have to pay their own expenses.”

“The manager has done a great job this season but for a club like ours there is always going to be a risk as he is ambitious, that he will want to manage at a higher level if someone comes in for him.

“The biggest change is that the players enjoy playing and the more you enjoy the game the better you will play.”