With just a couple of 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 the leaders of five of our men’s and women’s sides for 2026 and now we hear from the longest serving skipper amongst this summer’s captains, Dan Simpson.

You're a bit of an old hand with this now!! How many years is this you have been in the role??
2022 was my first year as skipper, so this’ll be my 5th season. I didn’t necessarily think I’d do it for this long, and I found 2024 hard-going. However, I really enjoyed last season and that gave me some renewed enthusiasm to go again this year.

Last season was up and down, but you challenged for the title again in the end. How did you think it went??
It’s tough to have too many complaints when finishing inside a very close top three and again see a number of younger players come through (and perform). However, there is so little margin for error at the top of the 3s Premier Division that it only takes one or two sub-par performances and you’re playing catch-up. That’s exactly what happened and the home games against Wells and Shenfield were two examples of us not showing the ruthlessness or concentration required. Hopefully those lessons stand us in good stead for this season.

The 3s have been a near permanent fixture in the top half of table for 20 years now. What are the aims for this season??
I think every year I say, “one game at a time!!” but everyone knows/expects us to be up near the top come the last few weeks of the season - we only have ourselves to blame if we’re not.

The balance of our team was a little lop-sided last year too, and with one or two players unavailable this season, there are opportunities, especially in that middle order.

Your own form was pretty good again in 2025. How are you feeling ahead of the coming summer??
I can’t wait, actually. I’m as guilty as anyone of getting starts and not getting the big score, so I’ll be trying to make sure, along with Foxy Bingo (vice-captain Steve Limn), that we’re getting off to good starts each week.

The 3s has always been a very social side, and that is still the case now. How important do you think that is to help get through a long season??
I think it’s huge, I really do. Everyone works so hard Monday to Friday that your Saturday cricket should be enjoyable, no matter what (obviously winning helps!!). I’m not sure there’s a better feeling than sitting on the outfield with a beer (or a pink gin) still in your whites, doing fines and nominating your WOTD. It’s my favourite part of the day and is a strong 3s tradition - long may it continue.

We don't see much of you in the winter. What have you been up to and how has pre-season training been??
Those Monday night training slots aren’t overly compatible with me, although I have been to a couple (I enjoy the chance to see some youngsters coming through). I’ve trained with Wheats 1-on-1 weekly through the winter, so the bat doesn’t go away for long. Other than that, and normal parenting duties, watching the Daggers become something of a reality TV show in recent weeks has been invigorating - just in time for season ticket renewals!!