ENFIELD skipper David Bracewell admitted it was a huge relief when Gary Brent agreed to return as their professional.

The Zimbabwean had signed up to be the paid man at Dill Hall Lane this year after coming in to replace Brandon Hiini midway through last season and he helped to steer Enfield from mid-table up to fourth spot in the Lancashire League.

However, in January, the 33-year-old was offered a coaching job at a Rugby School in Warwickshire and had to pull out.

Enfield then had to hastily search for a new paid man but now Brent has agreed terms and will effectively act as a match professional, coming up to Hyndburn for the games although he will miss some Saturday matches.

"It has given us a huge lift," said Bracewell. "It was like the end of the world when he said he couldn’t be pro because he had been so good for us.

"We started looking around and agreed terms with a Sri Lankan but it was all taking so long.

"Then we got back in touch with Gary and his schedule is not as heavy as he thought it would be at weekends so this is good news for us.

"It is not ideal as he will miss some games as he can only play Sundays in May and June, he will also miss a Worsley Cup match and the 20/20 competition but if we can get 22 games out of him this season, then we will be pleased.

"It is massive as Gary has been such a force for us. With a new pro you are in the unknown but we know all about Gary’s calibre and we hope for a decent season.

"And we have a few irons in the fire for replacements when necessary so fingers-crossed it all goes well."

Brent got 62 wickets from 16 matches and hit five half-centuries for Enfield last season.

  • READ professional Jon Harvey will be the sub professional for Rishton’s opening match at Accrington on Sunday 26 April.

He will stand in for Australian Aaron Heal who will, though, be in England for the second game of the season.