The 2007 season for the first XI proved a disappointing one for both players and club a like due to a bottom two finish in the second division.  As such a number of players have moved to pastures new for the up coming 2008 campaign and the club wish to thank those departing for their efforts throughout the last season, particularly Chris Elstub who has played all his amateur cricket with Spen Victoria and has been a loyal servant over the past fifteen years.  I’m sure all current players and supporters will wish him every success in the future both on and off the field (unless against Spen) and especially for his up coming wedding this summer.

The new campaign see’s Peter Jackson, ex Spen player return as Captain this season fresh from his four seasons as captain in the Huddersfield Drakes League with Thongsbridge.  Peter hopes to (as I’m sure all the supporters do) bring some stability back to the first XI following a constant state of flux over the last couple of seasons.

Along with Peter, Spen welcomes back former players Adam Brown (Scholes CC) and James Baker (Thongsbridge CC) from the Drakes Huddersfield League.  Adam being a right arm medium fast bowler and middle order hard hitting and entertaining batsmen, James, a medium pace bowler and left handed batter, both of whom are well respected cricketers and club men who the supporters will pleased to see returning to Spen Lane.

Matt Speck also remains from last season’s campaign, whom along with Chris Elstub formed the backbone of the team and majority of the runs scored.  Matt will again be batting in the top order and along with Naeemuddin (overseas) will be hoping to build a platform to enable competitive totals for the bowlers.  Matt will also be Vice captain this season.

As has already been announced on the web site, Spen have signed Naeemuddin as their overseas player this year.  He already has a wealth of experience at the age of 24 and although last season was his first in First class cricket in Pakistan, he seems to have made good progress, scoring a double hundred in one game, and posting 76,102 not out, and 60 this week in one day competitions for Sailcot. In addition to being an opening Left hand batter, he also bowls off spin which should prove a very useful option for the skipper as the wickets get harder.

Spen also welcome opening bowler Imran Amin who’s right arm fast medium should prove the spearhead of the pace attack.  Whilst originally playing first class cricket for Gujranwala Cricket Association in Pakistan he will be more recently be known to a number of league players as opening the bowling for Undercliffe last season.   

Spen have also captured the signing of Mahboob Hussain, who over the past few years has been hugely influential in the rise of first division club Manningham Mills as well as captaining the side for a number of years.  Booby, as known to most in the game will provide Spen with a second quality off spinner and a depth of experience that Spen have lacked in previous seasons.

Spen also welcome young and exuberant Wicketkeeper/batsmen Jack Holland from Saltaire.  The 18 year old kept wicket at second team level in the first division last season as well as opening the batting in the first team on a number of occasions.  Jack will be looking to gain experience at first team level with the gloves whilst providing valuable middle order runs.

Spen also welcome Mazhar Bhatti to Spen Lane.  Mazhar has been a long time player in the Bradford League with a number of clubs, mainly Saltaire and more recently Windhill.  He brings with him his vast experience, right arm medium paced swing bowling and right hand middle order batting that will complement the mixture of the sides youth and experience.

In addition to the above members of the new look Spen Victoria First XI, another player is currently in the process of being signed on and until such times as his transfer has been processed it would be inappropriate to give further details at this stage.

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