BARNOLDSWICK Town make their league debut in the ASDA Logic West Lancashire League at Eagley tomorrow with manager John Bailey keen to get the new club off to a winning start.

Formed via the merger of Barnoldswick United and Barnoldswick Park Rovers, the new club will now field four teams each week, as well as continuing the close association with Salterforth Juniors, who teamed up with Park Rovers last season.

Former Nelson player John Bailey has taken over the management role with the Town senior side and while he is keen to recruit further experience to the club, is reasonably happy with the form of his squad over a string of pre-season friendlies.

Defeats by Burnley Under 19s and Stalybridge from the Unibond League were not too much of a surprise and were balanced by wins over Castleton Gabriels and Cross Hills and a draw with Colne.

"We've been improving steadily in the build-up to the new season and I was fairly pleased with the way we performed in the friendly game," says Bailey.

"On the recruitment front, I'm still hoping to bring three or four new players to the club.

"I've also been pleased with the work of some of the younger players from Park Rovers who've been given a run in the friendlies.

"So far as the merger is concerned, I think everyone recognises that it was the sensible way to go in terms of finance, facilities and organisation.

"Once the players got their heads round the idea there were no problems and since most of them knew each other anyway, settling in has not been a problem.

"We also now have a strong committee with twice as many workers and twice as many ideas, which can only be good for the club.

"Barnoldswick United have made a lot of progress in the last few years in terms of the strength of the team and the facilities and this tie up with Park Rovers was the ideal move.

"Basically we are looking to achieve North West Counties status and we have a few players in our squad with experience at that level.

"But we still need to strengthen to be able to get to that level and to make a major impact in the Premier Division of the West Lancashire League.

"The key for us now is to get a good start to the season, so I'm looking to pick up points in our opening two away games at Eagley and Freckleton, who will provide a contrasting challenge.

"Eagley is a tight playing area and they are a physical side, so our fitness and character will be put under the microscope, while on Tuesday Freckleton is a more open venue and they look to move the ball around, so they will pose a different sort of challenge.

"With a new venture like this, there is always an added excitement to the start of a new campaign, but the need to get points early on is just as important as ever."