FIVE years after property developers served East Lancashire Paper Mill with an eviction notice from their Croft Lane ground, the club remains firmly rooted at its historical base.

The committee recently signed another 12-month lease and rookie captain Paul Hewart is eager to take them into a new era as they prepare for the inaugural Greater Manchester Cricket League season.

After finishing fourth in Division One of the North Manchester Cricket League last season, they have been handed a place in Division Four West of the new set-up.

The division is packed full of local derbies, with six of the 12 sides hailing from the borough.

“The new league should be very interesting,” said Hewart.

“Tottington St Johns and Elton Vale are both in our division, as are the second team from Bury."

Other "near neighbours" in the division include second teams from Elton and Walshaw, although the Radcliffe second team, which was originally put in the division, was this week withdrawn.

There are also three second teams from the Salford area – Roe Green, Worsley and Winton – as well as Egerton, Whalley Range and Flixton seconds.

Hewart believes he has the squad to compete, with former captain Ian Wade still available for selection, as well as former Radcliffe players Mark Robinson and Ste Dalton.

But he is always on the lookout for fresh faces to increase competition for places.

“I would say we were maybe a couple of top batsmen short of having a really successful season last year,” he said.

“We could easily have challenged for the title had we been able to bat out a few more innings.

“So we are looking to add one or two new players to the squad, but we have a strong foundation there already.

“We have pretty much the same first-team squad as last season, and a lot of the guys we have are experienced players.

“So I certainly think we have a chance of being competitive.

“If we play to our potential and have a good season then I think we have got every chance of getting promoted.”

ELPM are also in the Lancashire Knockout and have a bye to the second round, where they will play either Leyland or Settle at home.

Their first match of the league season will be at Walshaw on April 16, and they welcome Winton to Croft Lane the following Saturday.

The second team, who will be captained by Andy Lomax and will play in the Division Five Central Division of the GMCL, are also on the lookout for new players.

Training resumes at Radcliffe Sports Centre, on the site of the former Radcliffe Riverside School, on Saturday from 10am.

All players are welcome to attend. To find out more visit www.elpmcc.co.uk or call Hewart on 07983 593761.