CLITHEROE are out to make it a fantastic four this season, and by doing so create history Ribblesdale League history.

The Chatburn Road side celebrated a third Division One title on the spin last year, finishing clear of nearest rivals Read after losing only two games.

That means a quadruple is on the cards, and captain Paul Gaskell says it could be the club's youngsters who make the difference this time around.

He said: "We're up for a big season. To win the league for a fourth time in a row is something no-one has ever done before, so it's a massive challenge for us.

"We've got some good youngsters coming through the ranks and hopefully one or two more will get a chance in the first team this season.

"Aneeq Hassam and Jack Dewhurst are two of our brightest talents and both should have big seasons for us."

All-rounder Hassam is back at Chatburn Road after a season away, while two more familiar faces have also returned.

Former Clitheroe junior Saud Ahmed, a promising off-spin bowler, played for Settle last season due to an arrangement between the clubs.

Another all-rounder, Duncan Hall, is also back on board following a season with Padiham.

Gaskell added: "The success we've had has been built on the depth of the side.

"Everyone chips in. Whenever we need someone to stand up, they do, and there is a lot of quality throughout the side.

"I wouldn't like to pinpoint individuals; it's more a team effort."

If the league success has been more than satisfactory for Clitheroe in recent seasons, the same cannot be said of cup form.

Early exits from the Ramsbottom Cup have been frustrating, although they did reach the semi-finals of the LCB Cup last season, beating Lancashire League powerhouses Burnley en route to the last four.

But their dream of a final fling was crushed by Liverpool Competition side Bootle, who won by 73 runs at Chatburn Road.

Gaskell wants the knockout form to improve this season.

He said: "Over the last few years we have been knocked out of the Ramsbottom Cup in the first round.

"We are disappointed with that as a club and we will be looking to do better in that competition and the T20 cup."

Clitheroe have Sri Lankan Janaka Gunaratne back as professional.

The 35-year-old made league history last season by hitting six sixes in one over against Ribblesdale Wanderers.

As for the main dangers to Clitheroe's title, skipper Gaskell highlighted two main threats.

"Settle will be up there again, I reckon," he said. "Their professional, Imran Khalid, is one of the best pros around.

"I also see that Whalley have brought quite a few players in, so they will fancy making a good challenge for the title."

Clitheroe travel to Barnoldswick tomorrow for their first match of the campaign after all of last weekend's fixtures were cancelled due to rain-sodden grounds.

Last season,s runners-up travel to Salesbury to get their season underway.

FIXTURES (Sat): Barnoldswick v Clitheroe, Baxenden v Great Harwood, Cherry Tree v Brinscall, Euxton v Earby, Padiham v Oswaldtwistle Immanuel, Ribblesdale Wanderers v Whalley, Salesbury v Read, Settle v Feniscowles.