Derbyshire Premier League 2002 clubs preview 4

Wirksworth have no new players this year. It is a flourishing local club and their ground is in a delightful setting on the edge of the Peak but they operate on limited resources. They have retained last season's overseas player Adnan Naeem who performed brilliantly as an all-rounder last year. He plays for Pakistan side Lahore Railways.

Neil Smedley is an astute captain and there are some good players in the side. They will play their hearts out, but they may have a rough ride this season.

Sawley & Long Eaton Park are the promoted side. This is their second stint in the Premier League and they have gone about their preparations with enthusiasm. This is a broad-based club now that they have merged with next door neighbours Long Eaton Park and they have built up a very flourishing youth coaching programme.

There is no shortage of players and the quality is coming through. Ex-Notts player John Birch supervises the coaching and this season he will be the captain of their Premier League side, with Neil Smith as his vice-captain. They retain the services of last year's overseas player Ahmed Gondal from Lahore, a real speed merchant.

Vic Brownett is the cricket manager of the club and he has been busy signing some very promising youngsters including the Shafayat brothers. The younger brother Bilal Shafayat, aged 17, has signed a three year contract with Notts, having proved himself in the England Under 19's side, and the elder brother Rashid attends Leicester University.

Another young player has joined them, Joe Greenhalgh, who has been playing for Denby but hopes that he will get more bowling at Sawley. The progress of Sawley will be watched with interest.

Clifton have been climbing steadily up the tables and last season they almost made it to the top, reaching second place in the feeder League. Then they received an unexpected invitation to join the Premier League following the decision of Heanor Town to withdraw.

They are having to rely mainly on their existing squad but have engaged an overseas player Ant Botha who plays first class cricket for the South African side Easterns. He is a left arm spinner and left hand bat with the reputation of having one first class hundred to his name.

They have been optimistic in signing the Derbyshire players, Karl Krikken who is in his benefit year and Tom Lungley. Their inclusion will obviously depend on Derbyshire's demands. Simon Moore is the captain and Kamran Afzaal, the brother of Usman the England player, is the vice-captain.

Clifton is not a rich club but there is no shortage of enthusiasm and, encouraged by their President Peter Gadsby they have engaged in a variety of fund raising ventures, determined to rely on self help rather than big handouts from rich patrons. They are realistic about their chances and will be satisfied if they break into the middle of the table.

Denby, Ockbrook and Borrowash, Quarndon
Dunstall, Sandiacre Town, Alvaston and Boulton
Chesterfield, Ilkeston Rutland, Langley Mill

GWYN JONES - press officer

Disagree? Air your views on the message board - click here