STALYBRIDGE Cricket Club believes its relegation from division one of the Derbyshire and Cheshire Cricket League will allow a reset.
After winning back-to-back promotions in 2018 and 2019, the club held its own in the top-flight in the Covid-19 hit 2020 season.
But 2021 proved to be one to forget with Stalybridge winning only one of its 18 league matches.
There is renewed optimism for the 2022 season as the first team has been reinforced by the signing of bowler Kevin Dooley from Micklehurst.
The Stalybridge club as a whole is thriving as it will field a new third team in the Derbyshire and Cheshire League’s third team league which plays on Sunday. That is due to a sizeable number of parents of junior players wanting to take up the game and eventually the team will provide a pathway for the progression of junior players.
The second team remains in division three of the league.
The season starts on Saturday, April 23 with the first team hosting Chapel-en-le-Frith and the seconds visiting Hazel Grove. The third team fixtures begin on Sunday, May 1.
The junior section, only set up one year ago, has been a resounding success. The club will be fielding teams at Under-15, U13 and U11 this season. The hugely popular junior training nights which caters for all ages will begin on Friday, April 22 and continue through until September.
Sponsorship for the senior teams continues to come from Candolim Indian restaurant in Stalybridge with the junior section supported by local computer supply company Tec-It-Out.
The club will also be supporting local charity Lifeline Ambulance throughout 2022.