With just a few weeks to go until the new season it’s time to catch up with our senior captains for 2026. Over the next two weeks we will be checking-in with the 11 players who will be leading our senior sides this summer. We’ll hear about their plans for the months ahead, what games they are looking forward to and what they have been up to over the winter months.

We’ve already heard from 7s skipper Don Triggs and now we hear from the man who has taken on the role as 6th XI captain, Craig Grote.

So, after a couple of years skippering the 7s you have moved up to take on the 6s. How did that come about??
Well after I withdrew my candidacy for the 1st team captaincy role to allow Beardy to take the reins, there was the opportunity to take on the 6’s so I thought that was a bigger job and grabbed it.

You know Mid Essex Division 9 well after the last couple of years. How do you think the 6s are going to fare this season??
Hopefully we’ll be up the top end of the division. We’ve got a good feel for the leagues over the last two years so hopefully this year we can push on.

The 7s had a very young side over the last two seasons. Will you be looking for some of the youngsters from that side to move up this year??
100%!! I always put a lot of trust in the young kids to do their job in the team. Last year Woody (Treadwell), Buzz (Oscar Hayes) and Jurgen (Anay Narbheram) were great for us, alongside others who come into the team like Archie Lowe and Hibs (Joe Hibell) who played a handful of games. And I’m really looking forward to seeing Dylan Brooks back playing again after his injury.

There are a few local derbies in Division 9 this year. Any games that you are particularly looking forward to??
Definitely Hutton, they’re a great bunch with fantastic teas to boot. Also, Hatfield Peverel as their teas are something quite special too. Sorry was this question not about teas?!?!

I'm guessing you've not had a great winter with the way the football season has been. Are the love of your life going to survive??
Funny you say “love of your life”, as Nancy asked me the other day who I love more, West Ham or my family. I answered saying I class West Ham as my part of my family so I wouldn’t have to lie to her!!

We’ve given ourselves a fighting chance to stay up by starting to hit a bit of form. Let’s hope it’s just not too little too late and that Spurs continue their good run as well.