“Everyone looks in good shape and we need to bounce back”: Fleetwood look to put a tough 2025 season behind them

Twelve months after winning the Northern Premier Cricket League title, Fleetwood were relegated after finishing bottom of division one.

Fourteen defeats in 18 sealed their fate with the league results proving a stark contrast to a good campaign in the cups.

“We got to the T20 finals day and 40 Over Cup semi-final but we just couldn’t find our feet in the league,” said the Broadwater skipper.

“I’m not 100 per cent sure what to expect this year in terms of the standard.

“I’m sure there will be some really good sides but there might be some poor sides as well, we won’t know until we get the season started.

“Last year, in division one, the standard was brilliant and showed you can’t take anything for granted.

“You’ve got to earn victories and not expect anything to be given to you.

“Everyone looks in good shape and we need to bounce back.

“It couldn’t have gone any worse in the league last year if we’re honest; it still hurts now but that’s cricket, I guess.”

First up is this Saturday’s opening NPCL 40 Over Cup group match at Whalley, one of division two’s new boys this year along with Lytham.

Fleetwood’s new professional, Pakistan batter Muhammad Hurraira, is due to miss the game, as is Clerkin with an injury sustained in the club’s first outdoor net of the year.

With an interim captain still to be named, Clerkin explained: “I broke my toe and they said it’d be a six to eight-week absence, so I’m trying to get back for the first league game (May 2’s home match with Morecambe).

“Muhammad looks a quality player but he’s going to miss the first week as he’s in an international camp with Pakistan.

“He played Test cricket last year, he seems a great guy and he seems very invested and keen to do well.

“It’s his first time overseas, he’s young, he’s hungry and he wants to get back playing Test cricket as soon as possible.”