Padiham, runners-up last year, start with a home game against Settle, and will include new signing Kamran Farooq, formerly of Burnley and Lowerhouse.

Farooq started his career as a youngster at Padiham, and will take the place of Peter Usher, who has decided to hang up his boots after a distinguished career with Bacup, Padiham – for whom he was professional in 1994, Read, Woodhouses, Baxenden, and Padiham again.

He will retain his club ties as entertainments organiser.

The first team are hoping to go one better this year and win the double, with Kashif Siddique, in his fifth year at the Arbories, hoping to carry on his excellent form from back home with Lahore Ravi.

Read, meanwhile, face a Ribble Valley derby against Whalley at Station Road.

Read finished fourth last year, and welcome back Jon Harvey for a second season as professional.

Harvey enjoyed a profitable season at Read in 2008, hitting 1,073 runs in all competitions, with an average of 44.71, adding 66 wickets at 16.73.