Checkley spinner opts to switch to Premier rivals
LONGTON have enhanced their slow bowling options with the signing of Staffordshire spinner Richard Williams.
Williams makes the move to Longton from North Staffs and South Cheshire League Premier Division rivals Checkley after seven seasons at Four Trees.
A product of the Moddershall junior system, Williams was given his Staffs debut in 2018 in the Twenty20 competition.
He has gone on to make 11 T20 appearances for the county, with best figures of 5-25 against Lincolnshire at Rolleston in 2018.
Off-spinner Williams has also played two Knockout Trophy games for Staffordshire.
He has been an integral part of Checkley’s attack in recent years - helping them to cup success - and across 2015 and 2016 he took 109 wickets in all formats.
His best figures came in 2012, though, when he captured 7-41 to spin Moddershall to a NSSCL Division Three win at Fenton.
His arrival at Ripon Road provides skipper Ed Jones with another spin option to sit alongside Freddie Doorbar, Dan Ball and Tom Steele.
Williams also adds an extra dimension to the batting line-up, having recorded three centuries spanning his junior and senior career.
He links up with a Longton side who are looking to build on their impressive summer after finishing as runners-up in the top flight.
They led the shortened Premier Division campaign for the majority of the season and were only pipped to the title on the final day.
Their defeat at Meakins enabled Porthill Park - who beat Burslem - to inch ahead of them to claim a fourth championship crown in five years.
Longton skipper Jones said: “Rich has always been someone we’ve looked at given his performances over the past few years.
“He’s taken more than 200 wickets for Checkley, which is no mean feat, and that attracted us to him. His stats are excellent.
“At the end of last season we thought how we could improve. We wanted to make sure could challenge again next year because we enjoyed it this season being at the right end of the table.
“We were due to have an overseas leggie this summer, but moving forward we didn’t think it was viable with finances and also whether they would be able to come over because of the coronavirus pandemic or if they’d
have to self-isolate and miss games.
“Having an out-and-out spinner was something we discussed and we’re delighted to welcome Rich to the club. There’s healthy competition for places and you also have to remember that Rich strengthens the batting.”
Jones says that Longton may look to add one more player to their squad ahead of the 2021 season.
“If we sign anyone else it will just
be the one - and it would have to be someone who would walk in to our team,” he added.
“We don’t want to bring in a player who is the same as what we have. We’ve got young players wanting to prove they can play a leading role in the Premier Division.
“If we didn’t give them a chance, we wouldn’t be doing our job.”