2005 is a special year for Goatacre stalwart Graham Iles, who celebrates his 50th season playing for the club.

Iles' grandfather Ewart Vernon Iles founded the club in 1928 and Graham has followed his father Keith and played for the club every year since 1955.

They will be hoping to build on their last 16 exit in the npower-sponsored National Village KO Cup.

Their opening cup game is away to Baydon on Sunday, May 8.

In the league, they are savouring the prospect of renewing hostilities with newly-promoted Swindon in Glos/Wilts One, after finishing sixth in the league last term.

Key players including veteran Kevin Iles plus the Turner brothers, Pete (2004 batting average leader) and Rob (bowling average leader), will lead the charge again.

Aussie all-rounder Scott Curwood is with the club for one more season, while wicketkeeper/batsman Sam Parish leads the first team, having played for the club since under 15 level.

He has a teenage deputy in the form of 18-year-old middle-order batsman Ed Wilkins, a Wiltshire player at both under 17 and 19 level.

At second team level, Wilkins' wicketkeeper father John Wilkins, now 45, leads assisted by 20-year-old bowler Ben Miller.

Veteran wicketkeeper Pat Murphy a club regular since 1968 skippers the third team, who will play at Buckley Barracks, in Stanton St Quintin, this season.

1st XI FIXTURES

(Home matches in caps)

May 7: LYDNEY; May 14: REDMARLEY; May 21: Hatherley & Reddings; May 28: WARMINSTER; June 4: Bredon; June 11: COLWALL; June 18: Trowbridge; June 25: DEVIZES; July 2: Swindon; July 9: Lydney; July 16: Redmarley; July 23: HATHERLEY & REDDINGS; July 30: Warminster; August 6: BREDON; August 13: Colwall; August 20: TROWBRIDGE; August 27: Devizes; September 3: SWINDON