CROSFIELDS feel they are better prepared for the National Conference League this time around.

Coach Bob Eccles has strengthened his Division Two squad and they are hungry for tomorrow's Saturday's big kick-off when new side Ideal Isberg from Hull will be the visitors.

Eccles says: "It is well known that we did not win any of our first seven games when we entered the National Conference last year.

"But once we settled to the pace and discipline of the Conference level we gave a much better account of ourselves.

"Now the squad is much stronger and the players have trained much harder, now that we know what is required at this level."

Eccles, the former Wire forward, has brought in some of the players who starred for him when he was in charge of the Blackpool Gladiators Alliance team. They are loose forward Paul Williamson and prop Chris Blackwell.

Centre or winger Andy Lee has been promoted from the under 19s team and Paul Hennessey is back in contention after last season's knee injury.

Jacent Rabitt, work commitments, and Russ Mellor, injured, will miss the season's start.

Tomorrow's game kicks off at 2.30pm at Hood Lane and the team announced by Eccles is: Russ Parkman; Ian Hannon, Paul Kelly, Razor Reynolds, Andy Holroyd; John Bannon, Dave Gibbons; Paul Hennessey, Carl Porter, Chris Blackwell, Matt Mahoney, Lee Radcliffe, Paul Williams. Subs: Gary Maddocks, Duggie Johnson, Darren Reynolds, Nestor.

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