PREMIER Division champions Longton have seen a number of players depart ahead of the new season.

In addition to losing Roger Sillence to Audley, Longton have also seen opening batsman Mike Longmore and seamer Tom Oakes make the switch to the Kent Hills club.

Former Audley captain Dan O'Callaghan has also left the Trentham Road club to lead Woore and is joined at Falcon Field by team-mate Andy Kenvyn, while Alex Thorley and Adam Whalley have moved to Moddershall and Wedgwood Stanfields respectively.

Dan Cumming has joined the Nottinghamshire Academy, but Staffordshire seamer Will Purser joins from Greater Manchester side Heywood to form an exciting attack with county colleague Dave Edwards.

Batsman Tom Redfern has signed from Leycett, along with team-mate Matt Howard.

Former Staffordshire captain Richard Harvey has made the short trip from Little Stoke to local rivals Stone, while George Cairns – who missed most of last season through injury – has joined Nantwich in the Cheshire Premier League.

Returning to Little Stoke is Alan Richardson, who is a contracted player with Worcestershire after making the move from Middlesex.

Joining Harvey at Stone is Stafford wicketkeeper Dan Lunn and Moddershall spinner Matthew Stupples.

Knypersley have turned back the clock with the return of former players Mark Tournier, pictured right, and Tony Frost.

Australian-born Tournier last played for the Tunstall Road club in 2005, taking 67 wickets, while Frost left as a youngster to pursue his first-class career with Warwickshire.

Also joining Knypersley is talented youngster Dan Ball, who makes the switch from Moorlands rivals Leek.

But seamer Andy Marshall, who topped the division's bowling averages last season, has joined Norton, with Kim Barnett, to Bignall End, and Darren Long, to Sandyford, also moving on.

Porthill Park have also suffered the loss of a number of players.

All-rounder Joe Bridgewater has rejoined Whitmore, while Matt Rogalski has made the move to Norton.

Spinner John Malpass has signed for Newcastle and Hartshill, along with Dean Pritchard, and James McCarthy has joined Betley.

Opening bowler Kevin Cockerton has joined Division Three Endon from Burslem, along with team-mate Dan Bailey, with Joshua Tittensor moving to Kidsgrove.

Shazad Liaqat joins Burslem after leaving Newcastle and Hartshill.

Hem Heath and Forsbrook are among the clubs with the largest intake of players, with Muhammed Jahangir, from Moddershall, among the 10 incoming players.

Cheadle batsman Hamza Siddique steps up into the Premier Division with his switch to Moddershall.

For their return to the top flight, Barlaston have snapped up Stafford's two top run-scorers from last year – Ashley Lunn and Robert James.

Fellow newcomers Elworth have been quiet on the transfer front, but Matthew Buckley's side are expected to add to their squad with players from within Cheshire.

Wood Lane are another top-flight club not to make any local signings – and they have lost the services of Matt Burgess, who rejoins former club Bignall End, and Darren Walker who has moved to Leycett.

Division One side Leek have strengthened their attack with the acquisition of Staffordshire bowler Greg Willott, who joins from Norton to support overseas star Mo Hussain, who moves to Highfield from Hem Heath.

But Richard Cooper has left Leek to play for Alsager, along with Cheshire League player Michael Dodd, from Christleton, while Leek captain Jamie Cullerton has joined Wedgwood Stanfields.

The return of Worcestershire batsman Dave Wheeldon to Cheadle, after a season playing for Wolverhampton, is supported by the signing of Ian Bailey, from Kidsgrove.

In addition to the captures of Marshall and Rogalski, Norton have made six other signings, including Endon's bright prospect Jordan Weaver.

Adam Birch, once of Leek, makes the move from Cannock & Rugeley to Meir Heath.

Sandyford – in addition to the signings of Sohail Rauf and new skipper Long – have added off-spinner James Pringle from Huddersfield League club Hoylandswaine to their line-up.

Joining Bridgewater at Whitmore is all-rounder Robert Goatham, who is making the journey from Kent side Sandwich Town to play at Bent Lane.

Following their promotion to Division Two, Wedgwood Stanfields have boosted their squad with the arrival of Whalley, Cullerton and Michael Dyer, from Moddershall.

In addition to the capture of O'Callaghan and Kenvyn, Woore have also signed former Meakins player Piradeeban Ponnudurai.

Players are now unable to move clubs within the league set-up until the transfer window comes into operation in May.