NELSON

Last year's position: champions

In: None

Out: None, although bowler Peter Cockell will miss the start of the season with a knee injury

Professional (Roger Harper, Guyana): "We are looking forward to having him back and if he does as well as he did last year we will be delighted. He should be used to the cold weather !"

Prospects: "I will be disappointed if we are not challenging at the end of the season. It's going to be a bit more difficult as champions because teams will come here and raise their game a little bit. We will just have to do the same and I'm sure Roger will instill that in us.

HASLINGDEN

Captain: Stuart Taylor

Last year: 3rd

In: None

Out: Michael Tracey

Professional (Brad McNamara, Australia): "We are hoping he does the same as he did last time he was here. He's got a lot of league experience now and is probably going to get 900 runs and hopefully 80 wickets. If you take Roger Harper out he's probably the best pro in the league.

Prospects: Losing Michael Tracey is a blow. We are looking to try and win it, although Nelson will be the team to beat. In the top four and hopefully a cup would be a good season.

EAST LANCASHIRE

Captain: Phil Mercer

Last year: 2nd

In: None

Out: Mark Lomas, Phil Mooney, Dave Pearson

Professional (Claude Henderson, South Africa): "He has got a good reputation and we hope he takes a few wickets. He seems very keen and I just hope he enjoys it."

Prospects: "Obviously we have lost some key players but we have got some young players who are going to get a chance this year. I just want us to compete in every game and it will be interesting to see how it goes."

COLNE

Captain: Gary Laycock

Last year: 8th

In: Stephen Woods, Paul Wilson

Out: none

Professional (Joe Scuderi, Australia): "There are a lot of unknown pros this year. You know what you are getting with Joe, which is 100 per cent. He hasn't played a lot for his state this winter but he has done well for his club and he's very keen. He thinks we can do well."

Prospects: "We didn't lose that many last year and we think that back to 50 overs we will give everyone a game. We want to get off to a good start and not be trying to catch up and then we can be there or thereabouts."

RAWTENSTALL

Captain: Keith Roscoe

Last year: 12th

In: Peter Seal, Barry Greenwood

Out: Matt Wilson, Adam Wilson.

Professional (Lloyd Ferreira, South Africa): "We are hoping he has a successful season. I don't know yet if he'll open or go in about number four but if he gets 1,000 runs he can bat at number 11!"

Prospects: "There have been quite a few personnel changes through the league and I think it's the most open league for years. Nelson will obviously be a side to be feared but I think there could be a few surprises and I'm hoping that we will be in the shake-up at the end."

BURNLEY

Captain: Andy McLeod

Last year: 13th

In: Phil Edmondson, Kizar Saeed

Out: Michael Brown

Professional (Anthony Botha, South Africa): "We hope for the same sort of thing with his bowling, although it would suit him more if the wickets are harder. Hopefully that would suit his batting as well because we are expecting runs from him to help us after losing Michael Brown to Middlesex.

Prospects: We had a policy with the youth last year and they have had a year's experience now. We are looking at the top half of the table and anything above that will be a bonus."

LOWERHOUSE

Captain: Nicky Hope

Last year: 10th

In: None

Out: Ryan Hesketh (injured), Mark Whelan (unavailable at the start)

Professional (Martin Van Jaarsveld, South Africa): "We are expecting big things. His 100 against England 'A' came at a good time and he has got a few runs since then. We have also had good reports from Delph where he has played before, not only for his cricket but also his work with the youngsters.

Prospects: "We have had a good winter and the team spirit is excellent. We are aiming for a top-three place again and the cup is something everybody can win. We need the amateur batsman to get a few more runs and then we could be up there again."

TODMORDEN

Captain: Richard Baigent

Last year: 9th

In: none

Out: none

Professional (Brendan Nash, Australia): Last year we were very disappointed with Vasbert Drakes, who was an expensive, big-name professional. This year we have got a young Australian who's keen to get on and get involved, not least with the colts as we are trying to get a youth structure in place. He has also done very well playing in Wales and has been recommended by Ian Healey.

Prospects: We scored more runs amateur-wise than any other club last year so if we can just keep things tight with the ball, who knows ? We feel that if things go our way we could easily do something and we fall in with half-a-dozen who could spring a surprise.

RAMSBOTTOM

Captain: Brian Taylor

Last year: 6th

In: Mark Price

Out: Nick Riley and Gary Dyson (unavailable to start)

Professional (Matthew Pascoe, Australia - pending work permit): "He has been highly recommended by Stuart Law and at his age we expect him to be keen as mustard and work hard for the team, hopefully getting plenty of wickets," said Ramsbottom's League representative Mike Everett.

Prospects: "We are hoping to try and improve on last year's position and with the change in the rules we would fancy ourselves to win more than we lose," added Everett.

RISHTON

Captain: John Seedle

Last year's position: 7th

In: David Howard, Paul Clifford, Richard Swanney

Out: Russell Whalley, Stuart Roberts

Professional (Paul Wiseman, New Zealand): "From what I have been told, it looks like we have signed a good one and, hopefully, he will be here next week. An off-spinner who has played Test cricket, he has a top first-class score of 74 so he should be able to contribute with both bat and ball."

Prospects: "I am quite optimistic, I think we will have a decent well-balanced side and will bat a long way down. The new rules look good for everyone including spectators. There are points at stake right to the end of the game and there should be more opportunities for bowlers."

ENFIELD

Captain: Andrew Barker

Last year's position: 4th

In: None

Out: None

Professional (David Saker, Australia): "We have signed a good pro in Dave who we tried to get a few years ago. Several clubs have expressed an interest in him in the past. He's very much in the mould of Shane Lee and we had a fantastic year with him. We are looking for the same from Dave."

Prospects: "We are looking to be challenging for honours as we feel we have now built a side. I think the league will be wide open this year. Both Haslingden and East Lancs have lost players and I don't think the rule changes will suit Nelson. I have always thought Ramsbottom have a well-balanced side but we are quietly confident we can do all right."

BACUP

Captain: David Thompson

Last year's position: 5th

In: None

Out: None

Professional (Brad White, South Africa): "He has had an excellent season back home, finishing as leading scorer for Border and they have done well so he is coming here on a high. Before playing for us last year, he had only had one season in this country so he now has a lot more experience and I feel we have the team to back him up."

Prospects: "We will be looking for a good start this year and I believe we have a good squad of players with a nice blend of younger and older players. They are a good set of lads too and everyone is wound up ready for the start."

ACCRINGTON

Captain: Steve Juliff

Last year's position: 14th

In: Mark Burns, Matt Wilson

Out: Paul Barratt, Michael Wilson, Martin Whittle

Professional (Mark Bailey, New Zealand): "He has played here before, in Durham, so even this weather has not alarmed him," said chairman Peter Barratt. "This is his first full-time appointment as a pro but he seems to have settled in nicely and we think he will be a good man for the club. He is on the verge of the international squad at home."

Prospects: "Our hope is always to get away from the bottom of the table," added Mr Barratt. "We know we can't go from the bottom to the top in one season but we are hoping to win a few more games and get to halfway. We need to find a winning attitude."

CHURCH

Captain: Mark Aspin

Last year's position: 11th

In: None

Out: None

Professional (Neil McGarrell, Guyana): "His performances last season were very good and he must be disappointed at not getting in the final 15 for the World Cup. But that's good for Church."

Prospects: "We will miss Alec Holt, who is injured, and I am not planning to bowl at the moment. But we have a number of youngsters and we are looking for them to develop. If they do that and we can finish in the top half I will be happy."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.