Firth will be such a tough act to follow
NEWLY appointed Southport and Birkdale skipper Adam Phillips has admitted he has an impossible act to follow in taking over from Chris Firth but is determined to help his team consolidate their place in the ECB Premier League next season.
Phillips was elected unopposed at S&B’s AGM and has immediately begun the task of recruiting perhaps four players to bolster the first-team squad.
Some vacancies are self-evident. Gary Keedy has retired and Will Affleck has returned to Australia.
However, Phillips’ hopes of recruiting two batsmen, a seam bowler and a spinner before next season begins in April have been harmed by some players’ financial requirements, thus markedly deepening a trend that had begun when he was captain at Hightown and Formby.
“Even in the time I’ve been away from captaincy the demands that local players are making have gone through the roof,” he said.
“It used to be the case that being a Premier League club with excellent facilities would tip the balance for players thinking of moving but by the looks of things the main interest now is financial.
“That’s something for me to overcome because it wasn’t a route I favoured but it looks as though it might be something we have to do in order to compete in the Premier League.”
Fortunately Phillips will have the advice of two experienced lieutenants when it comes to making difficult decisions and also when his police duties prevent him attending some meetings.
“I’m lucky that we have a couple of captains in the club because my commitments at work mean I might struggle to get to meetings,” he said. “But Firthy and Chris Cunningham are in the dressing room already.” “When we lost our late groundsman, Peter Bailey, we realised he was an impossible act to follow and I’m a little worried that Firthy’s left me in a similar position,” said Phillips.
“No one could have committed more hours or greater dedication to the club than he has. “I think it will be a struggle for him to step back completely but that’s good because I need him on board”.
With his appointment settled, Phillips has been able to make formal approaches to players but he is determined not to throw money around to the detriment of the longterm health of a club which is resolved to give younger players their chances while expecting those cricketers to show reciprocal commitment.
“If we get the players we want, I’ll be targeting the top five but if the players aren’t available for my budget, then we might spend the money on other things and we’ll simply aim to consolidate our place in the Premier League,” he said.
“I’m not simply going to sign players for the sake of it.
“I’m pleased and excited to have been made captain but I’m already feeling the stress”.