UNSWORTH Cricket Club have signed up 25-year-old South African spin bowler Robert MacQueen as their professional for the 2003 Central Lancashire League season.

MacQueen, who has played at Under-19 level for his country, hails from Durban and is a regular player with Natal, having played alongside such greats as Malcolm Marshall and Jonty Rhodes.

MacQueen's ability with the ball should provide for some interesting games on the Pole Lane wicket. Having a first class spinner in the side should enable Unsworth to escape any slow over rate fines from the league this season and MacQueen's drive and enthusiasm for the game will no doubt provide added impetus to the team.

"The club believes that Robbie will make an instant impact, given the size of the Pole Lane ground," said coach John Phair.

"We also believe that his enthusiasm for the game will help to provide a fresh impetus and that he will inspire the senior team members.

"This season should see some of the more seasoned Junior members making the odd appearance in the First Team ranks and having a young, enthusiastic pro to guide them will, hopefully, see Unsworth moving up the table and getting their hands on some silverware in the next year or two," added Phair.

MacQueen holds a South African Board Level III coaching certificate and his experience, combined with the Unsworth CC coaching team of Phair (ECB Level II) and Les Doyle (ECB Level I), aided by the three new coaches currently in training, will help to develop the junior teams.

This season Unsworth will field four junior teams at U11, U13 and U15 in the Central Lancs League and an U14 team in the Salford League. Hopefully, in 2004, an U16 team may be added to the line-up.

Senior players are reminded that training for the Unsworth squad is at Siddall Moor College, Heywood from 11am to 1pm with junior training on Sundays at Coney Green Sports Centre, Radcliffe from 1.45pm to 3.15pm. New players will be warmly welcomed.