Return of Cuckney CC coach could be key factor in successful title bid

Cuckney are aiming for their first NPL title since 2018.

Cuckney failed to make the knock-out stages of the revamped Notts Premier League last season with Bostock believing his side did not have the correct focus.

But Morris has returned to the club following a year out, with Bostock, the club’s first-team vice-captain, believing his return will bring the benefits.

“We never felt 100 per cent last year,” he said. “We always felt a little bit of focus was missing.

Richard Bostock believes the return of coach Alan Morris gives Cuckney a big boost.

“We have got Alan back this year. He has been a massive contributor to how we have played over the last ten years and we feel we can go back to that now.

“We have got the lads capable of winning the title. We think we have recruited well with two new signings.

“There is a spring in the step around the club right now. We have had catch-ups over WhatsApp, and now we have dates to work towards, everyone is on it and keen.

“Our focus is to win the title back. We got on the wrong side of a couple of weather affected results last year.”

Cuckney aim to return to light training on 29th March.

Cuckney, who last won the NPL crown in 2018, are likely to return to light training on 29th March with general fitness work to get them up to speed.

And Bostock believes that Kimberley and champions Cavaliers and Carrington will be the teams Cuckney will have to beat to take the honours.

“Kimberley seems to be strong over the last two years,” he added. “They have a lot of players in the same age group who have developed together.

“They are always strong. Cavaliers are a bit of an unknown to us as we did not play them last year with how the league was split.

“They always recruit strong and look to mount a challenge.”

Bostock was also full of praise for groundsman Nigel Birkett after the club’s pitch was named in the top two best pitches in the division as part of the NPL pitch mark scheme

“He puts a lot of effort into the ground for us,” added Bostock. “He goes over and above what we ask him to do.

“We always know he will produce a good pitch for us and he works really well with us. He has produced belters ever since we employed him.”