TODMORDEN have signed Indian one day international Gyanendra Pandey as their new professional for 2003.

Pandey is a slow left arm orthodox spin bowler and left hand batsman.

He has played two one-day internationals for India against Pakistan in the Pepsi Cup in 1998 and has to date played 93 first class matches, scoring 4,291 runs with a highest score of 178 at an average of 37.06 and has taken 158 wickets at 35.05.

The 30-year-old has also scored 1,721 runs at 35.08 and taken 89 wickets at 33.01 in one day matches. He is captain of Uttar Pradesh, competing in India's Ranji Trophy.

It is Pandey's first spell in the English game, but everyone at Todmorden is hoping his season will be a good one.

The 2003 campaign sees a new man at the helm at Centre Vale with the appointment of Mark Clayton as their new captain.

Clayton is a long serving player and has finally realised his dream of following in his late father's footsteps in captaining the first XI.

Jim 'Eddie' Clayton was captain with one of the best sides the club has had when Peter Marner was the club professional.

Clayton will be in charge of a side that has lost four first team players.

Last season's skipper Nigel Hunter has joined Littleborough, promising young batsman Jamie Summerscales has moved on to the Huddersfield League, while Richard Baigent and Steve Oddy have also found other clubs.

Left-arm spinner Ibra Ali has rejoined Todmorden after a five year absence.

Ibra helped Widnes to the county cup final and to second place in the Liverpool Premier League. He has also figured on occasions for Cheshire in the minor counties competition.

Over the last few seasons, during his previous spell at Todmorden, Ali took over 400 wickets, winning the Lancashire League bowling award three times, the under 23 award four times and the Lancashire Evening Telegraph tankard twice for best bowling performances of the season.

Ali is a proven match winner and is sure to help strengthen Todmorden's bowling attack this coming season.

On the new player front, Todmorden will be getting the services of Mark Burns, ex-Accrington wicket keeper and middle order batsman.

Burns has also been playing minor counties cricket for Cumberland and will be a welcome boost to the club.

Todmorden's second XI this season will be captained by Phil Walters.

Walters has played most of his cricket for the Centre Vale club and he hopes that this season will see the seconds in a better league position than last year, with some extra senior players coming back to help the present bunch of young junior players.

The seconds will be boosted by the return of Declan Wadcock to the club. The senior nets will start on Tuesday February 25, 8.30-10pm, in the new Todmorden sports hall. If there are any new players who would like to come and join the club, they will be welcome to come along to the nets.