Captain: David Warren
Professional: Jon-Jon Smuts (South Africa)
Ins: Jack Edwards, Jack McGregor (Middlewich)
Outs: Paul Gallagher (Edenfield)
Last year: 14th, Worsley Cup semi-finalists
Did you know? Between August 4, 1922, and August 11, 1923, Bacup did not lose a match and in 1923 became the first club to win the Lancashire League and Worsley Cup in the same season.

David Warren: We were bottom last year so anything above that is a bonus for us. Last year we signed Michael Smith as an all-rounder and then found out that he couldn’t really bowl so we had an all amateur attack and with young lads you can’t carry that. Jon-Jon is a proven professional and with his spin and a good wicketkeeper in Jack McGregor, who is excellent stood up, and will score runs as well. We have lost Paul Gallagher to Edenfield and we wish him well, although we will miss his 800 runs and that takes some replacing but we will have a go.

Prediction: Paul Gallagher is a massive loss but in professional Jon-Jon Smuts Bacup have a class act. Will not finish bottom this year as their young side flourishes.