BRADFORD & Bingley have announced a new skipper as they bid to make a mark in North One East next season.

Flanker Tom Booth, who played all his junior rugby at the Bees before going to university in London, is to succeed second row Brett Mitchell.

Booth scored three tries in his 25 appearances in their Yorkshire Division One championship campaign in 2015-16 and was named forward of the year.

The Bees' director of rugby Martin Whitcombe said: "I am absolutely delighted that Tom has accepted the role of club skipper for next season as he is an absolutely top-class bloke, a tremendous player, a leader on the field and is respected right across the club.

"I am hoping Tom will be able to really drive us forward as we face the challenges of a new season in a higher division.

"Tom takes up the reins from Brett Mitchell, who has been superb for the club over these difficult last four or five seasons but is now stepping down due to his increasing work commitments.

"I know he has given his all on the field for the club, and his commitment to the Bees during a time when a number of other clubs were knocking on his door has been fantastic.

"I was really pleased for him that his loyalty was finally rewarded last season and he was able to claim the club's first trophy for ten years (they won National League Three North in 2005-06) when he lifted the Yorkshire Division One trophy the other week.

"Brett has an uncanny knack of finding the try-line, which is a bonus for us that we have a second row who can get into double figures every season in the tries-scored column.

"I am pleased to say that Brett will still be around to help Boothy as we try and build on our success of last season."

Meanwhile, the Bees, who have announced a three-year kit and sponsorship deal with Italian company Errea in association with Buysportskit.com, have arranged two pre-season friendlies.

They are at Old Crossleyans on Saturday, August 13 and at Newark the following weekend, both at 3pm.