BRADFORD Union team captain Tim Wade, who is to retire from his post for a second time next month, is confident that he is leaving the side in good shape.

The 72-year-old, who was in charge from 1990-2000 and has been at the helm since 2004, said: "There are some good young lads coming through, such as Woodhall Hills' Ben Rhodes and Harry O'Callaghan, and Bradford will likely have a good side for years."

Wade, who explained that he retired for the first time because ten years seemed a long enough stint, is now quitting on the grounds of his age – "level fours" – and osteoarthritis, "which has reduced my mobility to virtually nil".

He will be succeeded at the Bradford & District Golf Union annual meeting on Wednesday, February 17 at Northcliffe (7.30pm) by Martin Gaffney (Cleckheaton), with Terry Brushwood (Bingley St Ives) backing him up as playing captain.

That night will bring to an end Wade's involvement with the team of over 50 years, with several notables at the recent Bradford & District Golf Union annual dinner at the Midland Hotel commenting on what a fine player he was in his youth.

His reign as skipper has brought Bradford three Yorkshire Inter-District League titles (1996, 2006 and 2010) and four Yorkshire Inter-District Six-Man Team Championships (1992, 1993, 1997 and 2007).

In addition, there were three runner-up finishes in the league (1994, 2000 and 2011) and four second places in the Team Championship (1991, 1999, 2008 and 2010).

Wade said: "I have also seen players represent Yorkshire and England and it has been great to see youngsters mature and progress for Bradford.

"I am also confident that Martin and Terry will take the team forwards."

However, nothing seems to stand still these days and, although it was obvious how much the players loved and respected him at the annual dinner – Wade did not attend due to his lack of mobility – it is also true that the age difference sometimes play its part.

He admitted: "It is a different ball-game now. When I first started, players were informed by letter, but now they can be texted or whatever and it is much simpler.

"But I don't think it is acceptable for players to pull out of a Sunday match for Bradford on a Friday night or a Saturday night as they have known their responsibilities for long enough.

"Neither can they expect to come into a match having not played for three months and expect to perform. It just doesn't work like that and maybe players are too molly-coddled these days."