Herbert was given life membership at Hamwicks' annual general meeting on Monday night for 12 years of service to the club as a first-grade player and captain and committee man.

Since transferring from Waratah-Mayfield to Hamwicks in 1998-99, the right-hand opening batsman has scored 3288 runs in 133 innings at an average of 26.52 and taken 321 wickets at 14.80 with his left-arm medium pace and orthodox spin.

Teammate Sam Webber is breathing down Herbert's neck with 2348 runs at 26.68 and 269 wickets at 15.39.

"It won't stand up too long, that record," Herbert said.

"Sam Webber will run that down in a couple of years."

Herbert said that last season's heart-breaking loss to eventual premiers Cardiff-Boolaroo would be his last.

Groin and hamstring injuries over the past two seasons have worn down the 36-year-old.

"I just found I couldn't perform how I should for the team and I can help out in other ways like working on the committee and assisting with coaching," he said.

"Every time I thought I got it [groin or hamstring] right I'd basically break down and halfway through an over stop bowling.

"You feel like you're letting your side down."

Herbert was been involved in four grand final victories at Hamwicks, in 1999-2000, 2000-01, 2001-02 and 2003-04, and three Country Cup wins, in 2001-02, 2003-04 and 2009-10.

He rates last season's crushing 161-run Country Cup victory over Merewether at the SCG as his personal highlight.

Herbert said that with his own career complete he would turn his attention to working with the committee to safeguard Hamwicks' place in the Newcastle District Cricket Association.

In March, Hamwicks were one of six clubs the association identified as being at risk if a 10-team competition was adopted.

Hamwicks did not field a fourth-grade side last season but Herbert said the club was busy working to rectify the problem.

"We know we need to change a few things, and it's been a wake-up call for a lot of clubs, including ours," he said.

Hamwicks hope to appoint a coach to oversee all four grades.

They have developed a relationship with junior club Colts, who used to be known as Mayfield Colts.