UNSWORTH captain and professional Chris Williams believes his promoted side will “surprise a few teams” when they take up their place in the Premier Division of the Central Lancashire League next season.

The Pole Lane club finished runners-up in the Championship behind winners Monton & Weaste after losing just seven of their 28 matches.

Williams says their successful campaign will give them plenty of confidence as they prepare to do battle with clubs like Norden and Walsden.

“Next season will see a new challenge against some tough opposition,” said Williams.

“But I believe, if we can keep the hard-work ethic in the side and keep the team spirit how it has been, we can hopefully surprise a few people.”

Unsworth enjoyed success across the entire club this season, with finishing third in the second XI Premiership and the thirds losing out in the cup final.

The form of the first team was seen as a driver for success further down the club structure and a major boost following a disappointing campaign in 2013.

“The first XI was well off the pace last year, and it was important for every player to address their own games and look to improve,” said the Unsworth captain, who will spend the winter playing in Australia.

“We were blessed from the start to pick up a superb overseas player in Jeff Keyt, scoring over 900 club runs in a stellar season. He may well go down as the most successful overseas amateur that the club has had.

“Jeff wasn’t alone though. Abid Fazil returned to the club and had a consistent year, scoring more than 500 runs, and the returning Alex Blake added depth to our batting line up while also bowling some important overs.

“The club also attracted Radcliffe captain Sean Gibson, who has fit into Unsworth really well since arriving in July, and I’m sure he’ll stick around for some time.

“These incoming players, together with Unsworth regulars, created a good side and what was most pleasurable throughout the season was to see the team develop together and learn that winning habit.”

New arrivals at Unsworth also combined with improvements in form of some of their homegrown talent.

Williams added: “Liam Richards took more than 50 wickets in his finest season for the club, backed up well by Jack O’Brien, arguably the most improved player.

“Chris Long and Jon Wiggans were consistent run scorers, supported well by Aman Arora who pulled the team out of one or two dire situations coming in at number six.

“And Mark Hague came back to first team action in the second half of the season to show everyone what we had been missing over the past 18 months.

“So hopefully we can carry that form and improvement in to next season and enjoy another good campaign.”