Houghton has survival first aim for Park

Apr 18 2008 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

ONE of the main aims of the new Sefton Park skipper Robbie Houghton in 2008 is to ensure that his team stays in the First Division of the Business Assistance Liverpool Competition.

For a side which was well in the hunt for promotion last summer and eventually finished in a creditable fifth place, this objective might seem modest indeed, but Houghton’s is informed by his assessment of his club’s financial and playing strength.

“It was made clear to me that there was no money available for a professional this year,” said Hougton, whose team visit Newton-le-Willows tomorrow. “Also, our opening bowler, Dave Poskett, is in Australia and that’s a big loss. We’re going to have to develop a team over the next year or two.”

Consequently, spectators at one of the north-west’s most beautiful grounds can expect to see some youngsters being blooded this summer and also a couple of new faces as Houghton moulds a team from the resources available.

Fortunately, Liverpool University students James Cain (ex-Lytham) and Paddy Stern (ex-Oxfordshire under-19s) will be on hand to bolster the batting, as will last year’s skipper, Ben Moore, whose availability Houghton describes succinctly as a “great result”.

A Sefton Park regular for 17 seasons, Houghton accepts that it was about time he took on the captaincy, a job he was “ready for.”

After last week’s wash-out, Sefton Park are one of 12 First Division clubs who effectively begin their competitive season tomorrow.