CHECKLEY have signed former Nottinghamshire off-spinner Jason Brown to spearhead their Division Two promotion campaign.

The Four Trees club – which celebrate their 150th anniversary next summer – have brought the 35-year-old back to the league where he made his name, with Sandyford 13 years ago, as their sole professional.

In the absence of the injured Justin Granger, Brown, pictured right, guest-starred for Checkley with a fantastic display against Ashcombe Park in August, when he collected figures of 8-45.

And delighted skipper Andy Carr cannot wait to see him back in club colours, hoping he can deliver more of the same stunning form.

He said: "It is fantastic for the club and fantastic for the league.

"As part of the anniversary celebrations we want Checkley on the map and promotion is at the forefront of our plans.

"We started indoor training at the weekend and are all desperate to get the club back where we deserve to be.

"It is not going to be easy, but we showed by winning the Talbot Cup last season that we are more than capable."

In his 130 first-class games, the one-time Northamptonshire ace captured 414 wickets – form which propelled him into the England squad for the 2001 Sri Lanka tour.

But Brown's stint at Nottinghamshire was hampered by a calf injury which ruled him out of the club's County Championship campaign when the Trent Bridge side emerged runners-up.

Yet the right-armer is still eager to play domestic cricket at the highest level, as well as turning out in the North Staffordshire and South Cheshire League every week.

He said: "I enjoyed my time at Trent Bridge, but at this stage of my career I need to play regular cricket.

"I'm over my injury and I want to be in a position where I can begin the next season in contention for a place in a county first team."

Carr now hopes Checkley can firmly put behind them the relegation of 2008, instigated when they were docked 70 points for the illegal payment of players.

He said: "We would like to draw a close to what happened last year and are looking to bounce back.

"We have lost no players and are hoping to attract further players to the club. It is an exciting time for us and these are happy times at the club."

CHECKLEY will begin their defence of the Talbot Cup with a home fixture against Caverswall.

The game will take place at Four Trees on Saturday, April 10.

Andy Carr, Checkley captain, said: "It will be a tough match."

All Premier Division clubs and the top four in Division One received byes.