COLNE have put down a statement of intent ahead of the 2014 Foster’s Lancashire League season and have signed three big names as they bid to revive their fortunes - and two of the three have been snapped-up from arch rivals Nelson, while the third man is also an ex-Seedhillite.

The Horsfielders slumped to the bottom of the table last season but have started to rebuild and the capture of Andy Hakin, Tom Bradshaw and Adil Ali lays down a marker for next term.

Hakin, who began his career with Nelson, has moved back to Pendle after four seasons with Ramsbottom. The opening bowler played a key role in Rammy’s three successive Moorehouse’s Twenty20 Cup triumphs on the spin - and he is relishing the chance of bowling more overs in senior cricket and also spearheading a Colne bid to climb the table.

“I’d like to thank Ramsbottom for putting their faith in me and giving me a platform to play and enjoy first team cricket,” said the 25-year-old. “They are a fantastic club with great support. In my four years there I've won three and been involved in four Twenty20 finals, I have won the Worsley cup and had a runner’s up medal and have a Lancashire League winners medal.

“With that being the case it's not really about the medals now.

“I have seen what’s happened at Colne over the last few years and I’ve known there has been a space for an opening bowler with the potential to bowl a lot of overs and that’s been a key factor in me making the decision to move.

“I’m at the right age now where I want to take myself to the next level to better myself. I want to have the new ball in my hand week in, week out and really make a mark on the league.

“I have a few good friends at Colne already so that will help me settle in, but most of all I want to be a part of this revival and get Colne out of the bottom half of the table.”

Batsman Bradshaw has already made his mark in the league with Nelson, while spinner Ali had a remarkable 2013 season as he claimed 33 wickets in just 160 overs for Neil Thompson’s men.

Colne team manager Gary Hunt is delighted with the moves and said: “All these players will strengthen our squad and after a difficult 2013 season it was apparent to everyone that we needed to improve and these signings demonstrate that we are not prepared to accept the sort of team performances that we had last season.”