Cricket: Michael Harling will lead Rochdale next year in Lancashire League

Michael Harling, left, and Ben Chapman after last season's Wood Cup Final victory

Michael Harling will lead Rochdale Cricket Club next year in their first season in the Lancashire League.

The Rochdale committee moved quickly to appoint the former Redbrook junior after last season’s captain Dale Highton announced that he was leaving after five years at the club.

Oli Makin will be Harling’s vice-captain while other senior players have been designated important roles at the club.

Ben Chapman, Steve Oddy, who made his name at Rochdale, and now returns after nine seasons in the Lancashire County League, and Andrew Dawson will comprise a Leadership Team, with duties extending to assisting in coaching players at all levels

This follows rapidly on the heels of Dale signing Ed Moore as their professional next year. Moore, a left hand opening bat hails from Eastern Province and comes on the recommendation of Rochdale legend Dave Callaghan.

Rochdale chairman Mark Reynolds is already looking forward to the new challenge. He said: "We are pleased that important positions are being filled’’, he said. Michael is a cricketing enthusiast and been a Rochdale player since he was a junior. We are sure that he is the right man to lead us into the new era.’’

Regarding the signing of Moore, Mr Reynolds is equally pleased, he said: ‘’As soon as Henry [Cooper, last year’s professional] told us he was unable to commit we moved swiftly to secure Ed’s services. We are sure that he is a terrific acquisition.

"Ian Gilbertson, who led Rochdale Seconds to the Pennine League Second Division title last year, will continue in the role, while veteran Paul Butterworth takes over leadership of the third XI."