GRAHAM Knowles says he is proud to enter the Lancashire League 10,000 run club – but insists his dad was a better player.

Haslingden’s skipper wrote his name into the elite club of big run scorers over the weekend – and he joins his father Bryan Knowles and Haslingden team-mate Mike Ingham in the elite club.

Knowles got through the landmark on Sunday when Haslingden romped past East Lancashire to keep up their challenge at the business end of the title race.

And the batsman admitted: “It was a good feeling. I am not and never have been a stats man. What comes along happens – but I won’t lie, I knew at the start of the season that I needed 200 and odd runs to get the 10,000.

“Not many people have done it over the history of the league and it is special that I have joined my dad on that list.”

Knowles senior scored 13,086 runs for Haslingden between 1966 and his retirement in 1992 and is still regarded as one of the best batsmen to have graced the league.

And Knowles junior admits that entering such illustrious company that also includes another Bentgate stalwart Ingham, is something to savour.

“I suppose it does make it special that I have joined this club, especially as my dad is in there,” he added.

“He was a much better player than me and it’s a shame he wasn’t there on Sunday to see me get them against East Lancs.

“But he was on holiday and sent me a text to say congratulations as soon as he heard and it is a special moment.”

Knowles has led his young team to the Worsley Cup final and they are also pushing Lancashire League leaders Accrington in the title race.

And Knowles wants his young players to follow his lead and make a real challenge for his crown as Haslingden’s number one batsman.

“We are a good team, make no mistake about that,” he said.

“But we are still developing as a team. We are a young team and we strive consistency as all teams do.

“I want us to follow the Lowerhouse model where everyone steps up when needed.

“I keep saying to my players ‘look, I am 39, I want one of you lot to come and say I’m better than you, I should be opening the batting’ – and when that day comes I will be delighted.

“For the last five or six years I have strived to develop our young players and hopefully they will all go on and challenge the likes.”

Knowles also admits his entry into the 10,000 club is something he will be forever proud of – and feels for some of the league’s former stars who didn’t get there.

“You look at Andrew Payne,” said Knowles. “He’s one of the best amateur players ever to come out of this area.

“Payney would have strolled through this 10,000-run mark had it not been for his injuries and I told him that the other week.

“So it does make it bit special when he congratulates me.

“It’s only right to say thank-you to my wife Louise as well. Her support has been terrific throughout my career. Yes, sometimes we do argue about cricket and the game does take up the weekends.

“It’s okay for me, I am playing. It’s her that has the thick end.

“But she is always there for me – and when I got the runs she came up and said well done, the kids did as well – hopefully in a few years they will think their dad wasn’t a bad player.”