BURLY Northerner Matt Cocken has challenged club skip Raju Mazumder to a US-style Presidential election for the King’s Road captaincy.

The Road’s chairman – voted Teasmaker of the Year in 2009 – formally put himself up for the honour of leading the club at its AGM on Saturday.

His announcement ended months of speculation over whether he’d take on incumbent Raju and go for the job.

So far, tinkerman Raju has clocked up two seasons at the top.

But he now faces the first serious challenge to his leadership after being returned unopposed last year.

Speaking at The Asparagus pub in Falcon Road, Battersea, a defiant Raju said: “I’m ready to take on Matt.

“We’re going to have an election US-style with televised debates, speeches and everything.”

Among the other decisions taken at the meeting was to ditch the club tour due to lack of anyone coming forward to organise it.

Last year’s tour manager Leon Watson said: “It’s a shame but unless someone comes forward to do it then it just won’t happen.”

Kevin Pittaway was retained as treasurer and Leon as the club’s communications guru.

Raju’s position as acting fixtures secretary was made permanent and Jamie Keating brought into the committee as the club’s new social secretary.

Membership fees have been frozen at £20 but a limit put on how many places are available.

The new policy will be that all members from 2009 and non-members deemed closely associated with the club will be invited to renew their subscriptions.

After that there will be a cut off to prevent over-subscription with membership limited to around 30 people.

But players who show an interest can still be invited to join at the discretion of the committee.

It was agreed the club will renew its association with Surrey CCC which allows members to use six season tickets to home matches at The Brit Oval.

And the club also renewed its commitment to putting enjoyment of the game and the development of players before winning.

It was agreed the club will start pre-season training as soon as possible kicking off with weekend nets at Clapham Common and weekday nets at the Latchmere Leisure Centre in Batttersea.

Raju will continue to look into employing a coach to help players brush up on their technique. The captaincy candidate will also look at designs for a club kit after it was agreed the Orange Caps will have one.

Finally, last year’s top run scorer Leon tabled a motion calling for a salute to founding member Dan Howard for his services to the club.

Dan is set to move to China for a year next month and won’t be available for selection in 2010.