BURNING Desire’s Ben Armstrong is hoping a little bit of stardust can help them climb Bury and District Table Tennis League’s Division One table.

The club are currently third-bottom of the table and have had a week off this week after receiving a bye in the MacDonald Cup ahead of the resumption of league fixtures on January 29 when they travel to face close rivals Maccabi A.

Armstrong, aged 57, is banking on the the recruitment of 1980 European champion and former world number five John Hilton to the Burning Desire ranks to have a positive influence on the club’s season, even if his playing appearances will be very limited.

“We are hoping to climb the table,” said Armstrong whose fireplace company gave the club its name when it ceased to be the Mosses Community Centre.

“It is extremely tight at the bottom with only six or seven points covering five positions, so a good run of results could see us achieve mid-table respectability.”

However, Arstrong and his regular team-mates, Steve Barber and Brett Haslam will not be relying on their club’s illustrious new recruit, who is now 55 years old.

“He’s still a very fine player,” said Armstrong. “If he can’t play, but influence us in the right way, that will be a good thing.”

Full details of all Bury Table Tennis League’s results, fixtures and tables are available online at www.burytabletennis. org.uk