Members of Ellesmere Cricket Club can look forward to life in the top division after securing £10,000 worth of equipment in time for the new season.
The club, which begins the season in Division One of the FBC Manby Bowdler Shropshire Cricket League has bought a sightscreen, pitch covers and outfield mowers.
In order for the club to be able to start the new season in Division One, rules of the league dictate that a club should have pitch covers and sightscreens.
After securing three successive promotions, club officials are hoping for a fourth successful season.
The new equipment arrived last month and the club financed it with the help of its sponsor AGP Chartered Accountants who gave them £5,000, with the rest coming from its own funds.
After finishing as runners-up in Division Four in 2006, the club went on to finish as Division Three champions in 2007 and runners-up in Division Two last year.
Lee Thomas, club treasurer, said: “We are delighted to have received the equipment in time for the new season and are very grateful to our sponsors for helping us fund it.
“When we achieved promotion we knew the club needed new equipment if we wanted to play in the top division.
“After three successive promotions this year we are hoping to consolidate and take one game at a time. We expect it to be difficult, but are looking forward to playing against better quality opposition. It has been a long time since we were in the top division.”
The club kicks off its new season away to Lilleshall Cricket Club on Saturday, April 25. They are also having a junior induction night at 6.30pm on Wednesday, April 22, where all existing junior members and any new members can register for the season.