PROUD new Bury captain Jon Wiggans says the club are taking an old school approach to regaining their GMCL Premier League status, and that he does not want a quick fix.

Relegated last year, the Radcliffe Road outfit have started their Division One A campaign impressively, winning three from four.

On Saturday, they comfortably beat a Brooksbottom side who were fourth in the table prior to the game. The week before, they beat a Whalley Range side who were top when that fixture was played.

What it means is Bury, who were initially below both, currently lie third in the table and are firmly in the promotion mix.

Wiggans has taken over the captaincy from Karl Belston this year.

The opening batsman was a Bury junior before moving away to Unsworth then returning two years ago.

“Stabilising and rebuilding is our aim,” said Wiggans, who went on to admit his pride at leading his first club.

“And that might be for a year or two. Then we will push to get back in the Premier League.

“Look, if promotion happens, it happens. Great. But it has to be done the right way.

“In amateur cricket these days, unfortunately, I think there are too many mercenaries who are getting paid.

“I’d like us to go back to the old fashioned way of bringing the juniors, having a lot of club cricketers and one pro and an overseas. They should be the only two who are paid.”

On Saturday, Bury routinely chased a target of 148.

On-song overseas amateur Gustav Nolte and professional Ahmed Banday, both seamers, claimed four wickets apiece as the visitors finished with 147-8 before Banday opened with Wiggans (29) and top-scored with 64 as the win was secured with 22.1 overs remaining.

Banday and Wiggans shared 76 inside 12 overs for the first wicket.

Banday from Kashmir in India and 18-year-old Nolte from Pretoria in South Africa are new recruits for 2018, with the latter having already taken an impressive 22 wickets.

“It was a bit of a punt to sign such a young player, but it’s one that’s paying off,” admitted Wiggans, who is not new to captaincy.

“I captained for three years at Unsworth, so I know the ropes in that sense.

“But I’ve put a bit more pressure on myself because it’s my childhood club. I’m very proud. It’s a big honour and privilege to be club captain at the place where you started your career.

“We’ve started well, though, and I’m enjoying it.

“There’s a bit more togetherness this season, which I’m happy about. That’s what I’m trying to instil.

“We were a touch unfortunate in going down last year because we won as many games as we did the previous year when we stayed up. And I think the standard was a lot better last year.

“But, as I say, as long as we do things the right way, I don’t think it would be a poor season for us if we weren’t to go up.”