DAVID Ormerod insists he has no regrets about joining Accrington Cricket Club.

A few eyebrows were raised when the experienced right arm seamer announced he would be joining the Thorneyholme Road outfit after quitting Bacup.

But the former West View captain, who left the club he had served for over 20 years when his captaincy was handed over to wicketkeeper John Chapman, says Accrington was the only Lancashire League club he would have considered playing for.

"I was born in Accrington, went to school there and played at the club when I was a junior.

"I still know some of the guys on the committee and who work hard behind the scenes from my junior days," said Ormerod, who turned down numerous offers from Lancashire League clubs, including Haslingden.

"I was disappointed about the way leaving Bacup happened because I would have liked to have finished my playing career there, but my hand was forced. My position had become untenable.

"I wanted to play to the best of my ability and I think the Lancashire League is the best league around, and Accrington was the only Lancashire League side I would have gone to.

"I was apprehensive at first because I was going to a new club after so long at the same place.

"But they are a great bunch of guys, and all credit to them, after seasons of failure, to keep their heads held high like they have done."

And Ormerod is confident that Accrington's dark days are behind them thanks to the crop of young talent and new professional Nishit Shetty, who is already top of the batting averages.

"I had a look at Nishit's stats on the internet before he arrived and noticed he had scored a few runs when he was at Greenmount, and taken wickets, but I don't think anyone expected him to start so well," said Ormerod of the 33-year-old Indian.

"We haven't really needed his bowling very much because he keeps scoring so many runs, but I think his bowling will come to the fore.

"His batting is tremendous - it's a real joy to watch. And he has fitted into the side really well and I'm sure the lads will benefit from his wealth of experience."

He added: "A lot depends on the pro in our league because it is a pro's league.

"I don't think anyone is expecting Nishit to keep scoring 100s week in week out because it's not possible to do that, no matter what level you're playing at.

"The lads know sooner or later they're going to have to do some work themselves.

"But we've got some good players, and I think we can set our sights a bit higher than perhaps they were before the season started."