KING of spin Keith Roscoe reckons he will probably retire for good again at the end of this season – despite winning a new bat for his miracle month on comeback at Rawtenstall.

The 47-year-old Rawtenstall legend came out of retirement in July to help out the Bacup Road side, whose young players have had a baptism of fire in the Lancashire League.

And 16 wickets in his first four games led to the SS Skyer player of the month award for Roscoe – and the prize of a new bat is one that makes the veteran, not exactly prolific with the pads on, smile.

“That really is an ironic award,” he laughs.

“It’s fair to say that two of the three winners this year, myself and Bharat Tripathi, are not the world’s best with the bat and now we have nice new ones.

“But seriously it is really good of Surridge to put up the prize and I do think it is actually more of a training aid than something for use in a match.

“It’s nice for people to say that I am making a big impact since my return but I don’t see it that way.

“I am just playing cricket and the lads have played some good stuff recently, even in the games we have lost.”

Roscoe’s return was timely for Rawtenstall as they were stuck at the foot of the table and finding life tough with the young players struggling to come to terms with the ultra-competitive league.

That start led to the call for Roscoe – a member of the Lancashire League 1,000-wicket club – to make his return.

And that return has been nothing short of sensational with 18 wickets in six games to spark a Rawtenstall revival, although Saturday’s loss to East Lancs – Roscoe’s first wicket-less game – saw them back at the foot of the table.

“I didn’t see the early part of the season because when I retired, I didn’t come down to watch,” he said.

“There wasn’t a lot of point retiring only to come here and sit all day. But we have had one or two lads retired or can’t play any more because of work and the captain said he couldn’t keep putting lads from the under 15s in.

“It’s good experience for the kids – and you can’t beat the experience of actually playing.

“You can’t give it to them any other way, they have to learn it by playing but you still need the experienced, old heads as well to help them through.

“Vinny (club skipper Vinny Hanson) actually asked me to come back and raise the average age and I am happy to play because I have missed it to be honest.

“Losing Chris Cook-Martin was a big blow as it took away 800 runs at the top of the order and that takes some getting back.

“But make no mistake about it, there is a lot of talent at the club and these are exciting times both on and off the field.”

A smashing new clubhouse is rapidly taking shape at Bacup Road and that could well be open ahead of schedule, maybe even before the end of the season, and Roscoe believes that will only help the club.

“It’s one of the reasons why it’s important to have a good team,” he added. “Without full facilities, you need fans through the gate to keep things ticking over.

“You need the paying spectators. “But the clubhouse looks fantastic and with the new bar on its way, hopefully the fans will come back and I think the glory days can return.”

There has been talk of Roscoe playing on for another year but he said: “I would think this will be the end to be honest.

“You never know, but I think this will be it and hopefully the lads will be able to kick on.”