BREAKING NEWS: Blow for Peterborough Town as star man departs

Peterborough Town have suffered a close season blow as star fast bowler Joe Dawborn has left Bretton Gate.
Joe Dawborn has left Peterborough Town for Eaton Socon.Joe Dawborn has left Peterborough Town for Eaton Socon.
Joe Dawborn has left Peterborough Town for Eaton Socon.

Dawborn, the leading wicket-taker in the Northants Premier Division on each of the last four seasons, has joined Cambs Division One club Eaton Socon. Dawborn started his career as a junior at Socon and will combine playing with a coaching role.

Town made a strong financial offer to Dawborn, but they’ve now lost two of the three professionals who helped them become a dominant force at Northants League level. All-rounder Paul McMahon’s seven-year stay at Town came to an end last summer.

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Dawborn said: “I feel as though I achieved quite a lot in my time at Peterborough, a club which I have loved playing for. This season I would like to achieve something else with my cricket - and that is to help others.

Joe Dawborn in action for Peterborough Town.Joe Dawborn in action for Peterborough Town.
Joe Dawborn in action for Peterborough Town.

“There are a lot of youngsters at Eaton Socon who I can see have already got a lot of potential and I would like to give them the coaching support that I never had at Eaton Socon to help them showcase their abilities.

“I would also like to help the club get to their highest playing standard and I feel like I can offer some great things to them.

“I would like to say a massive thank you to everyone at Town who helped me with my cricket. And I wish the lads all the best for the upcoming season.”

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Among Dawborn’s Town highlights were a 10-22 haul at Brixworth in 2015. He also enjoyed trials at Northants, Leicester and Northants whil at Bretton Gate in an unsuccessful attempt to gain a first-class contract. Last winter Town helped him with a trip to Dubai where he trained alongside top young professionals.

Joe Dawborn in action for Peterborough Town.Joe Dawborn in action for Peterborough Town.
Joe Dawborn in action for Peterborough Town.

Town skipper David Clarke said: “We are obviously really disappointed Joe has decided to leave as he has been an outstanding bowler for us. We made a really good offer to keep him, and as a club have tried everything to help him pursue his professional ambitions over the last four years, but he says he wants a new challenge which is to help Eaton Socon get to ECB Premier League level.

“I respect his decision and thank him for all his efforts at the club. No one will ever forget his 10 for 22 at Brixworth and he was integral in our successes in our league winning and successful T20 campaigns.”

Matt Milner has rejoined Town from Ketton.

It’s understood Northants Premier Division side Oundle Town are close to agreeing a deal to take high-class former Northants batsman James Kettleborough from Rushton. Promising all-rounder Conor Craig is also expected to move to Oundle from Nassington.