HASLINGDEN are heading in the right direction to recapturing the glory years - but admit they've still got a long way to go yet.

And chairman Mark Rothwell has pinpointed one reason, or rather one team, as to why this is.

"Bacup have demonstrated that they are streets ahead of the rest," said Rothwell. "We have to do some catching up, which we have done, but whether we have done enough remains to be seen.

"Bacup will start the season as favourites because they won it so comfortably last year and have the same team this time.

"We have strengthened our squad this year and if we play well we've got a chance. But only if we play well."

Haslingden won the Lancashire League seven times between 1983 and 1993 and last claimed the title in 1997.

Although they have lost their way in recent years, Rothwell feels the wheels of progress are now back in motion.

And 2003 would be an ideal time for them to shift back into top gear - it's the club's 150th anniversary.

The chairman said: "We were ninth in the league in 2000, then finished seventh and then third last year so we have come a long way. I suppose it's just a case of two more positions to climb before we win the title!

"But to be realistic, we've made progress and we're happy with that but we've got to turn narrow defeats in to close victories, which is what consistent sides do.

"If we can string a few results together we might give ourselves a chance but you don't win anything on paper in April."

As for the players, Steve Dearden has returned to the club as an amateur after a spell as a pro with Radcliffe in the Central Lancashire League.

Also new is Australian professional Jerry Cassell, who will boost a batting line-up that already boasts Graham Knowles, one of the league's most talented batsmen, who scored more than 800 in 2002.

Mike Ingham will also be looking for runs this season - 400 more of them and he will be the highest run scorer in Lancashire League history.

Paul Blackledge will lead the side as captain for the second successive year, with Knowles as vice captain.

Rothwell said: "Paul has our full backing to lead the team and, with the new additions, will have a few selection headaches."

Haslingden have also set up a new junior field behind the clubhouse as an exciting crop of youngsters begins to sprout in the first team line-up.

Rothwell added: "Our ambition is to enhance the youth here and we're starting to see the benefits.

"John Simpson is being eyed by Lancashire and Lewis MacIntosh has already opened the batting for the first team at the age of 14.

"Whether these lads will help us reach the heights of the 80s and 90s, when we dominated, we'll find out."

Haslingden have won three out of three friendlies ahead of the new season, against St Anne's, Blackpool and Fleetwood, and play another on Saturday at home to Atherton.

The warm-up will come in useful for the start of the Lancashire League on Sunday because Haslingden have a tough start.

They are away to Burnley on the opening day then go to last year's runners-up Enfield a week later.