NETHERFIELD Cricket Club have welcomed back three old faces as the Parkside Road outfit continue their winter of change.

Scott Clement, Craig Walmsley and Tommy Prime will play for Netherfield in 2013, with Clement returning after leaving the club in 2010 to pro for Appleby.

Clement started his career at Netherfield in 1989, making his First Team debut in 1994 and helping the side win the Northern Premier League in 1997 and 2008.

“Winning two trophies and passing on some of my knowledge and experience at Appleby, as well as meeting some great people, has been fantastic but it’s time to return home and hopefully help the next generation of cricketers coming through at Parkside Road,” Clement said.

Clement added that he had spoken with Walmsley and Prime, and the three agreed to return to the club for at least one more season.

“They are probably my two closest friends in cricket, the two who i've probably shared most ‘motorway miles’ with, we hope we can bring some maturity to the playing side of things.

"I feel as though a lot of cricketers are being pushed into playing first team cricket too young. I was 20 when i first played, and now you see lads of 16 and 17 being chucked in at the deep end when maybe they aren't quite ready, so mentally it proves very tough for these lads."

"The practise facilities and the coaches at the club are some of the very best around, and no doubt the bar takings may go up a little with the return of us 3 together!”

Meanwhile, opening batsman Marc Brown has been sharing his thoughts after he was announced as John Mason’s successor to the Netherfield captaincy.

"The first real thoughts of captaincy came at the end of the season. I had a few conversations with club legend Marc Hadwin and team manager Mike Rigg about my opinions for next season.

“I made it clear to both that I was very keen to captain and lead the side for the 2013 season.

“Having had two very enjoyable seasons at the club it was something I really wanted to do. Very much the next challenge for me is to lead a team of quality individuals to hopefully win some silverware come the end of the season.

“On the field improvement is simple really - we need to perform better in the big games. The Northern league is a tough competition but we will be there or thereabouts come September.”

Brown, who signed for the club from Carlisle in 2011, added that he also wants to recruit more players to challenge for a place in the first team next season.

Netherfield are still in the shopping market for a professional for next season, but the return of three familiar faces helps ease the loss of Mason and Ben Haddrick.

Club legend Marc Hadwin is yet to decide on his future for next year.

Brown added: “I would like to place on record a big thanks to John Mason for all of his efforts last season.

“He had a fantastic season with the bat and showed why he is one of the best players to have ever played for the club.”

Mason has signed for Surrey Championship side Reigate Priory for 2013.