TIM Farragher will captain Bacup against champions Burnley at Lanehead tomorrow, determined to avoid the Lancashire League wooden spoon for the second year.

Farragher made his debut as a raw teenager in 2000, when Bacup lifted the title for the first time since 1960, and said: “We got the lads together this week and we said we’ve nothing to lose against Burnley, we will give it a right go.

MORE TOP STORIES:

“This might not be the finest team we’ve ever had, but one thing we have got is an incredible spirit.

“When I came into the Bacup side at 17, I was inspired by the history of the club, seeing those great names on the honours board — Everton Weekes, Roy Gilchrist, and Roger Harper, one of the greatest fielders of all time.

“That was a privilege and it is a privilege to play for Bacup, too.

“I’ve been lucky enough to enjoy that success with Bacup, winning the title. But now I’ve also tasted the other side of it, the struggle, and it is important for us that we continue to stick together.”

Bacup won three successive Lancashire League titles from 2000 to 2002. But, like previous champions Rishton and Colne, they fell on hard times and that golden era seems a long time ago now.

“Look at Burnley, Accrington and Lowerhouse, they’ve all had their struggles in the last ten years, but they’ve come back and won league titles,” said Farragher.

Farragher, who had a two-year spell as Bacup skipper, added: “In the past, a lot of our youngsters would be schooled in the second team and graduate to the first X1.

“We’ve not had the numbers at the club, though, so many of them have gone straight into the first team because we’ve lost so much experience and we’ve found it very hard to replace that.

“It is a really unforgiving environment for a young lad, facing a professional and good amateur players, and some of the lads struggle and lose confidence.”

Bacup are without Henry Butcher, Adam Highley and Aaron Fielding tomorrow, and visit basement boys Colne on Saturday week.