County League: Barkby United bolster squad to avoid second season syndrome

Barkby United will look forward to their second successive Premier Division campaign after an excellent return to the top flight last season.
Director of Cricket Tom Flowers was in fine form with the bat last summer EMN-170419-104353002Director of Cricket Tom Flowers was in fine form with the bat last summer EMN-170419-104353002
Director of Cricket Tom Flowers was in fine form with the bat last summer EMN-170419-104353002

United finished fifth and just 21 points off second spot, an achievement which topped even the most optimistic forecasts.

“We far outweighed our own expectations last season and played some excellent cricket,” said director of cricket Tom Flowers.

“We also won the Premier League fair play award which speaks volumes about our team spirit, togetherness and ethos at the club.”

Keen not to wrest on their laurels, Barkby have been busy strengthening the squad in the close season as they bid to maintain their high standards.

The batting department is bolstered by the additions of Adam Stapleford-Jones from Barwell, Dave Tew from Lutterworth, and Hinckley’s Ben Silver who also joins as junior head coach.

Left-arm spinner Cam Sharpe has also joined from Houghton and Thurnby and Leicestershire CCC Academy cricketer Harry Funnell will add pace to the Barkby attack.

“The new guys provide competition for places and strengthen our squad and playing membership throughout the club,” Flowers added.

“We are looking to match last season’s playing standards and achievements; nothing more than taking one game at a time, not looking too far ahead, and playing some high quality and smart cricket.

“Players know their roles and are comfortable with them. We have an excellent balance of experience and youth, with a lot of old heads on young shoulders at the club.”

The team will be led once more by Tom’s brother Steve.

He said: “Steve grew as a captain and leader and led brilliantly from the front last season.

“The mainstay characters stood up and performed at crucial times and we gained a lot of respect from players and clubs in the county.”

* Training takes place on Wednesdays from 6pm to 8pm and new players are welcome

Summer cricket camps take place at Barkby during the May half-term holidays and from August 2 to 4.