Bridgnorth sign Vernon – but won't splash cash

The Cricket Meadow side have forged a meteoric rise through three promotions from the Shropshire County League to Birmingham League Division One.

Many clubs in Division One pay for players from the county game and/or an overseas professional, but captain James Ralph says Bridgnorth will be relying on existing talent and tried and trusted signings from the Birmingham League.

"It could be a tough year for us with no contracted player and no overseas professional competing against teams who pay for a pro," warned Ralph.

"As a club we're financially well off, but it's not our policy to spend it on overseas players.

"For an overseas player, you're probably looking at £12,000 to £13,000 a year by the time you've paid £4,000 for their air fare both ways, £200 a week wages and £60 a week to put them up.

"Our total spend on players is £4,000 a year so you can imagine the difficulty we have.

"We might find an extra sponsor to bring in another player but there won't be a vast amount and we won't be paying for an overseas.

"And we haven't got a homegrown contracted player because we can't afford to spend £200 a week for someone from Worcestershire."

One player who is joining is Dan Vernon, who has agreed to play for Bridgnorth after leaving Wombourne.

The 24-year-old left-arm spinner and middle-order batsman is well known to Ralph as he has played for Herefordshire Minor Counties team against Shropshire .

"He's playing in Australia for the winter and he's a useful player," said Ralph.

Bridgnorth look like losing two of their Shropshire players, at least for the start of next campaign.

All-rounder and opening bowler Tom Weston has moved to a work placement down south and batsman Simon Gregory has had shoulder surgery.