BUSINESS Assistance Liverpool Competition champions Ormskirk will be strengthened by the return of a familiar figure next season.

Former Skelmersdale captain Phil Armstrong has decided to return to his former stamping ground, although he is at pains to stress that he does so having “thoroughly enjoyed” his time at Scott Rees Park.

“I’m very busy at work and I’d just moved to a house round the corner from Brook Lane,” explained the 32 years-old all-rounder. “I just wanted to finish my time at the top level playing with my mates and with my brother John.”

In addition to his duties as skipper, Armstrong had fulfilled a coaching role at Skelemersdale and he believes that the long-term future at the club is bright.

“There are some good youngsters at Skem but it may be a couple of years before they start to contribute in a meaningful way at first team level,” he said. “We gave a reasonable account of ourselves last year although we ran out of steam towards the end.”

While clearly unwilling to give cast-iron guarantees to any player about his prospects, Ormskirk skipper Adam Waterhouse was happy to welcome Armstrong back into the Brook Lane fold.

“We have a squad of 14 or 15 cricketers who would get into most first teams and Phil is very much in that group,” he said. “If he performs as he’s capable of doing he’ll be a good acquisition.”

But Waterhouse doesn’t expect the champions to sign an overseas player before the New Year. “We’re looking for the right player at the right price who will be available for the whole season,” he said.

“We’re talking to a couple of players but nothing’s confirmed.”