Hollins Hall are making a big effort to break into Division One of the Bradford Scratch League, led by their captain - former Baildon star Ian Martin.

After being promoted last year from Division Three, they are now among the Division Two leaders.

Regulars in the side include former Leeds United and England under-21 international Andy Couzens and a member of Shipley Golf Club, Andy Clarke.

Shipley-born Couzens, at 27, no longer plays professional football. Yet a few years ago he was in the same England under-21 side as David Beckham and playing alongside David Wetherall in the Premiership for Leeds.

"George Graham arrived at Leeds and I played eight games for him and then got frozen out," said Couzens, who is now a personal trainer, based at Hollins Hall.

"I was sold to Carlisle for £100,000 and then I moved to Blackpool where I just kept getting injured.

"Nigel Worthington left and Steve McMahon came in as the new manager. At the end of the season I was out of a job.

"There is no longer the big money around in soccer - unless you happen to be Harry Kewell! I have had a couple of offers but these things happen. It is not all glamorous out there.

"Now I am a personal fitness trainer with 23 clients. I have done fitness work for Halifax Town and they asked me to play last season but I am no longer interested in playing football. If I got injured it would affect my career - and I hope to be doing this for a good number of years."

Couzens is a self-taught golfer who plays mainly to relax.

"We had a lot of golf days when I played at Leeds. I enjoy playing for Hollins Hall."

Couzens was in the team which thrashed South Bradford in Division two of the Scratch League last week. He won his match 6&4.

The team skipper is confident Hollins Hall can continue its meteoric rise. "This is a relatively new club, we are still finding our feet, "explained Martin, who is golf co-ordinator at Hollins Hall.

"Andy is one of those annoying players who is good at all sports.

"But we find it difficult to play the same four every week. There are businessmen here who are not always available. Last season we played nine or ten in our team but still won promotion.

"We like playing our home matches because Hollins Hall is a fine, long course."

Hollins Hall are one of the teams attempting to qualify for the Bradford Team Championship this weekend.

l Division One leaders West Bradford take on second-placed Bradford Moor tomorrow evening, while Keighley must travel to Baildon's moorland course. The other match features Cleckheaton and Northcliffe.