Devon Cricket Board - Ford outlines Bideford plan

Ford outlines Bideford plan

BIDEFORD captain James Ford isn’t planning too many changes to his 1^st XI squad for the return to B Division cricket this summer.
The Westward Ho! outfit set out to win promotion last season and stormed to the C Division title with time to spare.
Ford (left) still has to find a replacement for Aussie batsman Jordy Gilmore, who slammed 934 runs at an average in the mid-60s for Bideford in 2013.
The player earmarked to replace Gilmore appears to have accepted an offer to play in Sussex instead.
With young players coming through the colts system, Ford is happy to go with what he has already, although new faces will always be welcome.
“We have a good academy system at the club so I don’t see the need to bring too many players in,” said Ford.
“I am expecting better availability from a number of players, such as Alex Crisp and Will Barrett.
“Will was working in Worcester last year, which meant we didn’t see much of him, and Alex will be around all season, which improves our seam-bowling options.
“And Josh King will be back from Australia, no doubt older and wiser for a winter ‘Down Under’.
“Our priority next season is to stand still after promotion and looked to build for 2015.
“I am not looking for promotion again so soon, but the A Division is our ultimate aim and if the chance came up I would take it.”
Bideford expect to see former Warwickshire staffer Tom Allin playing on Sundays next season in the North Devon League, once he returns from a winter I Australia.
Allin was released by Warwickshire last summer and finished the season playing Premier cricket on Saturday afternoons for North Devon.
“Tom wants to play at the best level he can still and round here that means North Devon on Saturdays,” said Ford.
“Long-term we see him as a future Bideford captain, although not necessarily for a year or two.”

BARNSTAPLE & Pilton skipper Steve Moore has some new recruits in his sights for the B Division campaign ahead.
B&P did enough last season to avoid relegation, which was always Moore’s target given the young squad at his disposal.
Unlike most other clubs in the B Division, B&P won’t be bringing in an overseas players in 2014.
Moore doesn’t think B Division clubs should rely on overseas talent to make progress and practices what he preaches.
“There are a couple of players I am hoping to bring in to the club, but we won’t be having an overseas,” said Moore.
“Higher up the league I don’t see it as a problem - and when I was younger and at Braunton I used to look forward to battles with the likes of Ian Gore (South Devon).
“I don’t think it is appropriate in the B Division, where one player can make a huge difference to a side.”
Moore is lucky to have some promising youngsters on the books at Taw Meadow, among them lively young pacer Jack Popham.
Popham, a Devon youth system graduate, has been winter netting with Gloucestershire, which has reminded other clubs in Devon of his talent.
“Jack has had offers to move, but he has pledged his future to Barnstaple & Pilton for at least one more season,” said Moore.
“When the time is right for him to move on I will be the first to wish him well.
“But the time isn’t right yet. It will do him good to get another season under his belt with us and make match-winning contributions.”

DCB Ltd, University of Exeter Sports Hall, Stocker Road, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QN Company Registration Number: 7024773