HIGHER Folds FC, Division One champions in the Leigh League, have been handed a plum home tie in the Champions Cup.

Each season the winners of the top title in the league are invited as ambassadors into this major North West knockout competition and the Leigh lads are at home to the Reserves side of UniBond League Premier Division Burscough in the pick of the first round draw.

League secretary Malc Blakely is as pleased as punch for the team representing his league.

"They couldn't have asked for much more than a home draw," he says, "but to have been drawn out of the hat to play the Reserves of such a big club is a smashing bonus.

Burscough are obviously going to be a real handy outfit and will provide a searching test for Higher Folds. "They should be up to it though. Last season they never looked like being caught in the title race all the way through and they were worthy champions. They also won the Redwaters Coronation Cup and just missed out on a superb treble when they were beaten by Church Inn in the Final of the Davenport Cup. The Burscough game has been set for Saturday August 12 with a 2.30pm kick off.

"On the league front we have had two applications from new teams to join us next term, both from the Golborne area. They go under the titles of Asda Golborne and the Horns Inn. The latter should be an interesting proposition.

Their secretary Paul Farrimond tells me that they have 28 players signed on already and just can't wait to get going."

The Leigh are still looking for a main sponsor for the coming season. Malc can be contacted on 01942 706011.