ATHERTON professional Andy Hall has decided not to return to the club for a seventh successive season next year.

The club had talks with the player this week in the hope that he would change his mind but Hall has decided to stick to his decision.

"He's going to Australia during the close season and does not want his return to be tied to a particular date," said chairman John Charlson.

"Obviously that would mean he could possibly be missing several games at the start of the season and he did not want us to be put in that position.

"Reluctantly we have had to accept his decision and we are now looking for a replacement."

During his six year career with Atherton, Hall has scored a total of 7.197 runs to date - an average of over 51. He has scored 1,000 runs in all of those seasons except one when he scored 904. He made up for that in 1995 when he hit 1,458 runs.

Anyone interested for the Atherton job should contact John Charlson on 01942 874794