HASLINGTON hope the return of some familiar faces and the addition of a few new ones will help the good times return to Clay Lane.

New captain Andy Hayes missed most of last season through injury and with John Clayton and George Anderson also fully fit, Hayes should be able to lead a much stronger side this term.

Stuart and Chris McLeod have joined from Crewe, as have Leroy Maynard and Andy Harrington.

Professional Andre Percival should again prove a pivotal figure with bat and ball.

Secretary Les Pickford said: 'We are quite optimistic about the new season. We have four players with first-team experience joining us from Crewe, Andy Hayes, John and George are fully fit again and the youngsters who took their places in the team last season are another year older and another year more experienced.

'Andre, of course, has also been the most successful batting professional in Division One for the past three seasons and I'm sure he'll be a key performer again.

'The senior squad has been enlarged and with more competition for places, we feel better able to do ourselves justice this season.'

Hayes will be assisted by vice-captain Richard Bebbington, while Miles Machin will captain the Seconds with Liam Bedson as vice-captain.

Meanwhile, the junior section of the club continues to go from strength-to-strength.

In addition to teams at U11s, U13s, U15s and U18s level, the club has also entered an U12s team into the South Moorlands League.

Pickford said: 'Over the winter, five parents qualified as ECB coaches and the drive to become qualified for the ECB Clubmark award continues.'

The club's popular U13s Junior Festival will take place for the 12th season with the eight teams battling it out for the Festival Trophy on July 11.

For further details about Haslington's junior teams, contact Paul Dalton on 01270 584476.