SANDFORD’S pre-season recruiting campaign has now added former Budleigh Salterton and Exmouth keeper-batsman Sandy Allen to roster.

Allen, 34, has played more than 200 Premier Division games for his previous clubs since moving to Devon in 2005.

A graduate of the Warwickshire youth system – he played made one First Class appearance during his time at Edgbaston – Allen came to Devon to study at the University of Exeter and never went home.

Allen made the first of more than 80 appearances for Devon in 2005 and signed off in 2015. He was a member of the 2006 Minor Counties Championship-winning side and featured in the team that beat Berkshire at Lord’s in the 2008 MCCA KO Cup final.

Trevor Anning, the former Sidmouth, Exmouth and Budleigh Salterton fast bowler who re-joined Sandford after Christmas, was Allen’s team-mate in those successful Devon teams.

Allen skippered the University of Exeter in the BUSA Premier League and has represented the Minor Counties U25s and the full Minor Counties side. He captained Budleigh Salterton in 2010.

Six Premier seasons at Exmouth, where he had a spell as groundsman, yielded 2,727 league runs, 101 catches and 38 stumpings.

With those stats in his scrapbook, no wonder Sandford captain Richard Foan is glad to have his former Devon team-mate on board.

“Sandy comes with plenty of experience and will add a lot to the first team,” said Foan. 

“Having already re-signed Trevor (Anning) this winter and not lost anyone the team is coming together nicely. 

“I know it was a very difficult decision for Sandy to leave Exmouth after so many seasons, but he is looking forward to the new challenge.

“He has scored plenty of runs in the Devon League over the years and I am looking forward to seeing him getting plenty more at Sandford this summer.”

It may be good news for Sandford, but more bad news for Exmouth, who have been hard-hit by departures during the winter.

Dan Pyle and Callum French have left for Heathcoat, Miles Lenygon has moved to London and joined Twickenham and former Gloucestershire batsman Bob Dawson has retired.

Sandford have previously announced the signing of Cape Cobras’ white-ball specialist Ferisco Adams for the 2019 season.

North Devon have lured Josh Atkinson along the cost from A Division side Bideford for the summer ahead.

Atkinson follows team-mate Fred King, who made the same move a little while ago.

Atkinson picked up 14 league wickets last season and batted down the order.