NEW professional Tama Canning has vowed that Accrington will finish above the bottom two this season.
The Thorneyholme side have struggled in recent campaigns finishing second off bottom last summer but Canning signed up last week and he hopes his return to Accrington will boost their bid to climb the Lancashire League table.
"He couldn't believe we were second off bottom and he has promised that we will not finish in the bottom two this season. He is really looking forward to the challenge," said chairman Rod Kenyon.
The new campaign begins a week on Sunday and the Thorneyholme club were the last Lancashire League club to name their paid man.
And New Zealander Canning, who replaces Andre Seymore, returns to Accrington having boosted his own career.
The 26-year-old made a big impression at Accrington at the end of 2000 when he scored 265 runs at 53 and took 21 wickets at 16.5 after replacing Nathan Astle.
This helped Accrington finish ninth.
The all-rounder was snapped up again for 2001 and again did well taking 53 wickets at 19.25 and scoring 908 runs although Accrington finished bottom.
Since his return home, though, Canning has turned in some top class performances at state level and won international honours.
The 26-year-old was named Auckland's cricketer of the year in April 2003 and finished as the leading wicket taker with 46 victims at 22.0 - a record for Auckland. And he scored his maiden First Class century with 113 against Canterbury.
This led to his call up to the New Zealand side and he has played three One-Day internationals.
"He has knuckled down and got a new coach in Auckland and has improved his all-round game," continued the chairman."It helps that he knows the lads and should settle in quickly."
"We had looked at bringing Andre back as he did well with the bat but we needed someone who can bowl as well. Steve Juliff has had to give up playing because of his knee and Damian Clarke is carrying a shoulder injury so we needed a bowler."
Accrington have also added former Rawtenstall opener Adam Wilson to their team - he is the brother of skipper Matt.
They have a friendly at home to Clitheroe on Saturday (1pm.).
