The West End club on Wednesday night elected veteran fast bowler Vance Gilbert as president, replacing Bailey who did not show for the annual general meeting.

Bailey, who has been criticised for holding down too many high powered positions, remains president of Bermuda Cricket Board of Control and the Western Counties.

Gilbert ran unopposed at Wednesday's AGM, moving up from his previous role as vice president. Another veteran player Vivian Simons is the new vice president, Gerald Fubler secretary, Kevin Fubler treasurer and Andre Scott assistant secretary.

Bailey had edged out Gilbert in a close vote a year ago, but he is believed to have lost some support following a conflict involving Wilow Cuts during the BF&M Champion of Champions competition at Lord's last September.

However, yesterday Gilbert gave Bailey credit for his dedication and contribution to the club, and said he was hopeful he would continue to lend them solid support.

Exlaining his no-show, Bailey said he only learned late in the day that the meeting was to be held the same night. He expressed no bitterness at being replaced, intimating that he felt it was time to move on.

"I wish Vance the very best,'' said Bailey. "I've been associated with them since 1967, about 20 of those years as secretary and another eight as president.

"To be honest, if someone is allowed to be in a position that long he must have been doing a good job, or there was no one better available to do the job...'' He reminisced about the growth of the club among the Somerset community, from the days when they scrambled to secure a field to their position now as a prominent force in the Premier Division.

Dedication, he said, was needed to continue the growth, adding that he was sure he had left the club's management in capable hands.

Asked if the losing of the presidency could effec his chances of holding onto the other two positions, Bailey chuckled: "No! I can't see how in any way that would happen.

"I was, as a matter of fact, happy to have someone able to take over the club, and that should have no bearing outside.

"Right now I would say that it would be in the best interests of cricket to have myself remain as president (of BCBC), if only due to the amount of international commitments we have.

"If I were forced to relinquish my position overnight I would think it unduly harsh to place all the burden on a new person coming in.'' Meanwhile, the new president who last year played for Social Club in the Premier Division after a long career with Willow Cuts, said he looked forward to returning to the West End club this year.

"I'm very excited about being elected president,'' said Gilbert. "The changes are good for the club as it gives us an opportunity to grow. We needed somebody to concentrate on improving things at a club level.

"Ed's main goal was to develop cricket in Bermuda and consequently things at a club level sort of got neglected.

"But we can give the club more attention. I can put the time in to help build the club and head into an exciting future with the many young members that we have. I want to see where our club can make year-round contributions by being involved in more sports than just cricket.'' Gilbert didn't know whether he would rejoin the team as a player, having started out as a 17-year-old. At 38 he now envisions making his major contribution as an administrator.

"I had a good time with Social Club who gave me the opportunity after I moved into the Hamilton area. But Willow Cuts need my time now. I don't know how much I will play. I do know that I cannot divide my time between Social Club and Cuts.''