New Farnley may only have found out five months ago that they were in the JCT600 Bradford League.

But that does not mean they intend to be makeweights in Division Two.

“Our aim is to gain promotion and anything other than that would be a disappointment,” said Lee Goddard, the club’s most eye-catching signing of the winter.

“We have also signed another former professional in Nick Walker but we have built what I like to think is a solid team.

“If we are to go up it will be on the back of team performance, rather than the efforts of two individuals.”

Like Walker, former Derbyshire and Durham wicketkeeper Goddard left Division One side East Bierley for Lawns Lane.

He said: “I needed a new challenge – and that is making New Farnley one of the major clubs in the Bradford League.”

It has not been the easiest of winters for groundsmen but Goddard recalled: “Three days before the start of last season, I took a picture of the snow from my bedroom window. This winter we have had rain, snow and it has been freezing.

“But I went down to the ground last Saturday for NatWest CricketForce day and, although it doesn’t feel like the cricket season is just around the corner, it is and the square looked all right.”

Former Central Yorkshire League club New Farnley start their season next Saturday at Yeadon.