Childs Ercall narrowly miss signing British No 1 Graeme Wilson
Childs Ercall have narrowly missed out on what would have been the biggest coup in the history of the Furrows Shropshire Premier League - having made an audacious bid to sign British No 1 Graeme Wilson.
Childs Ercall have narrowly missed out on what would have been the biggest coup in the history of the Furrows Shropshire Premier League - having made an audacious bid to sign British No 1 Graeme Wilson.
The Yorkshire star, All England champion in 2000 and 2004 and runner-up in 2001, was the subject of a sensational pre-season approach from new Ercall skipper Jan Haycox.
But his competition diary meant he eventually decided to reject a move to the villagers - for now.
"I nearly got him," said a wistful Haycox, the male-only league's first female captain.
"I had a long chat with him and he um'd and ah'd over it, but in the end it came down to the travelling and his other commitments.
"He plays an awful lot of competitions and in the end he decided to say no at this stage.
"But I'll see him around the greens during the season and maybe I'll have another little chat with him - you can only ask!"
Ercall have had a decent start to the season, with five winners at Ifton then an 11-3 victory at home to Bylet last Friday.
They travel tomorrow night to face a Bowring team who have been soundly beaten in both their opening matches of the season.
And Haycox added: "We're hoping for a win, though we're not taking them lightly because on their own green they are a good side.
"They've had a poorer start to the season than us, but we're not getting too carried away.
"We won at Bowring last season (with five winners and an aggregate of +17) but that doesn't mean it will happen again."
Elsewhere, Meole Brace will be after a much improved home performance against Wem USC as Michael Dulson and Chris Brettell face their old side.
The Shrewsbury side managed just five winners on the opening night against Newport but came away with a draw and were then convincing 10-4 winners in their first away game at Archibald Worthington.
Bylet have started with two defeats but will be out to make the home advantage of using their smaller green count against Ford.
By CHRIS HUDSON
