WHALLEY have named Darwen's Neil Cordingley as their new professional.

The 26-year-old all-rounder takes over from Graham Knowles, who has been pro at the Ribblesdale League club for the last three years and will return to Lancashire League side Haslingden as an amateur.

Cordingley, who has played at Northern Premier League side Darwen since he was seven, has signed a one-year deal.

"It was a big decision to make to leave Darwen, with my two brothers still there and my dad, who coaches there, but it was too big an opportunity to turn down," he said. "I had to accept and hopefully I'll get some runs and wickets to make Whalley successful."

Steve Boswell, who is the treasurer at Whalley, said they were delighted Cordingley had agreed to join the club.

"We were impressed by his temperament and he is useful with the bat and the ball," he said.

"With our limited budget it was more appropriate to get a lad from the Northern or Lancashire League and give them a go and it is often better to have a local amateur lad because they are already used to the conditions."

Whalley finished third from bottom in the Ribblesdale League last season after a bad start to the campaign.

"We only won one or two in the first half of the season but then we improved a lot in the second," said Boswell.

"We have a lot of experienced players and we are trying to bring in a few younger ones too.

"Over the years we have neglected our junior sides but now we are building them up again."

It is thought that there were three or four names in the frame for the pro's position at Whalley and Cordingley was delighted to come out on top and land his first pro deal.

"It was an honour to be asked and I am looking forward to it. I might be a bit nervous before the first game but I am sure I will be able to handle it," he said.

Cordingley was due to be the captain at Darwen next season but felt he had to accept the new challenge.

"I have spoken to the captain and he is very excited about the new season. They had a bad start last season but this year hopefully we can have a better start and a better year."