VSDCA: Hoppers Crossing sign St Albans and VTCA star Simon Lambert as

St Albans says one of its stars will be “sorely missed” after he was named the new captain-coach of a Subbies club for the next two seasons.

He’s been in the job for a matter of minutes but Simon Lambert is already showing unbelievable commitment as Hoppers Crossing coach.

The Cats unveiled the Englishman as their new captain-coach for the next two seasons on Tuesday morning.

Lambert arrives at the Cats after a standout season with St Albans where he finished second in the VTCA Senior Division’s Ray Paxino medal behind teammate Geeth Alwis.

His 532 runs at an average of 44.33 also earned him Team of the Year honours as his side missed the finals by just half a game.

Lambert said the decision to move to Hoppers Crossing was influenced by his hopes of coaching at the highest level.

“It’s a really good opportunity for me to go to the next level in my career,” he said.

“I’ve got aspirations to coach higher up down the line and I see this as a great opportunity to kick start my coaching in the well regarded Sub District Cricket Association.”

Simon Lambert in action for St Albans. Picture: Andy Brownbill

His arrival is a big boost to the club’s finals hopes having not played finals since the 2015-16 season.

The left handed batting all-rounder said he was keen to take the club up the ladder.

“In my eyes they haven’t achieved the level of success that they should be,” he said.

“To me, Hoppers is a big club with big infrastructure, for me it’s a club that should be competing at the top end for premierships.

“The short term goal for me is to make sure we’re qualifying for finals this year and then more longer term, hopefully be challenging to win a flag and being up there in the club championships.”

New Hoppers Crossing president Greg Mitchell said Lambert’s arrival marked a change of thinking at the Cats.

“In past years the club has relied on non-playing coaches and the committee thought it was time to change how we did things,” he said.

“We’re going with a guy who has a proven record as a player and despite being an untried coach we’ve been very impressed with how he has presented himself.

“People at the club have been in touch with him for the past couple of years and we thought now was the right time to make the move.

“I’m looking forward to seeing how he works with our playing group.”

Simon Lambert bowling for St Albans. Picture: George Sal

Lambert was a man in demand across local cricketing circles with his phone ringing hot since the end of the VTCA season.

“I had interest from a few different clubs, both in Sub District and VTCA,” the former county cricketer said.

“For me it was about finding what fitted for me and with Hoppers [Crossing], big club, big infrastructure and it provided a good challenge.

“I’ve never been one to jump into something right from the top and go out into a club that’s won flags the last few years.

“That’s something that particularly stood out for me in Hoppers, I enjoy a challenge, taking something from almost the bottom to the top.”

Meanwhile, St Albans paid tribute to Lambert’s contribution to the club after his departure was announced.

“He will be sorely missed as he was a big part of our First XI batting line-up and juniors,” the post said.

“Simon took the reins of our juniors and proudly won 3 premierships, as well as helping to develop our juniors (and junior coaches) over the past few years.

“We know that he has left our up and coming junior program in a much stronger position than when he started with us.”