BOOTLE SIGN NORTH SYDNEY SKIPPER GLENN AITKEN

Date: 30th March 2013

A Paul Edwards copyright exclusive for L&DCC Official Website.

Changes to the squad

Following the news that Bootle skipper David Snellgrove is likely to be out of action until some time in July as he recovers from his hip operation, Wadham Road officials have plugged the major gap in their line-up by signing one of the most experienced and respected cricketers in Sydney grade cricket.

Premier League bowlers and batsmen will have to cope with the all-round talents of North Sydney skipper Glenn Aitken this summer. The 33-year-old off-spinner and middle-order batsman, who also holds the equivalent of a Level II coaching badge, has jumped at the chance of spending a summer on Merseyside and is currently sorting out his flight to England.

"We knew we had to bring someone in and we looked very seriously at three or four players," said Snellgrove. "Glenn simply fitted the bill. We know he can play, not least because he scored 86 and conceded only 36 runs off his ten overs in the recent Grade Final, which North Sydney won, and we also have a few people over in Sydney who gave us very good references. Hopefully he'll be a big assset to the club."

Aitken is Bootle's fourth major signing of the winter, following the recruitment of Graeme Jones and Jordan Evans from Colwyn Bay and Matty Thompson from New Brighton. Off -setting these arrivals to a degree, David Smith has joined Northern and Carl Hey will be playing at Prestwich this season.

As to his own fitness, Snellgrove is taking the advice of the doctors and not rushing things. "I hope to be back at some point in July but there's no short cut after this operation," he said. "You have to go through the rehab."