New captain Chris Read believes Notts are ready to win a one-day competition in 2008 and is aiming for an appearance in the Friends Provident Trophy final at Lord’s.

Speaking to members at last night’s Annual General Meeting, the 29-year-old expressed a quiet confidence in the quality of the squad and also said a tilt at the Championship title was ‘not out of the question.’

He added: “We have steadily progressed in one-day cricket in the last few seasons and I would like us to be in a position to challenge for a trophy.

“I have not been involved in a Lord’s final, and I would love to see that change. We will be targeting the 50-over competition at the start of the season and also aim for another home quarter-final in the Twenty20 Cup.”

Read was also able to celebrate the election of his former coach and Notts wicketkeeping legend Bruce French as a club Vice-President.

French made his first-class debut for Notts some two months short of his 17th birthday and went on to play 16 Tests and 13 One-Day Internationals for England.

A fantastic natural talent behind the stumps, he claimed 1,228 victims in all competitions in a career spanning 19 years, and was an integral part of the Notts team who won every major domestic trophy in the 1980s.

Other news on the night:
• Committee members Stuart Foster, Geoff Gooch, Basharat Hassan and Peter Wright were re-elected along with President Bill Russell.

• Members heard Chairman Barry Pailing announce he was stepping down after four years in the post, after paying tribute to First XI Scorer Gordon Stringfellow, who died last summer.

• Finance chairman Richard Tennant reported that Notts had made a profit for the seventh year running, of £137,831 before tax.

• Director of Cricket Mick Newell outlined the task ahead for the squad during the season, and is hoping to strengthen the bowling attack with a Kolpak signing after a fruitless hunt for English talent over the winter.

• Chief Executive Derek Brewer announced that following thorough research, the club had purchased new hover covers and climate covers.