STACEY Dickinson has returned to bowls with a vengeance.

Not only has he agreed to join the Lubramine Middleton Cup squad but new Dorset manager Mike Stapleton has appointed him team captain.

Dickinson was a regular skip in both the Middleton Cup and Liberty Trophy sides until taking a break from the game because of personal commitments following the Liberty Trophy defeat by Somerset in October 2007.

Although six months ago he said a comeback was most unlikely Dickinson has responded to the enthusiasm and commitment of Stapleton who made personal visits to impress upon the player how vital he would be to the side.

Dickinson is ready to give his all to Stapleton’s brave new world and has resuscitated his career with Dorchester and the county – as has another celebrated skip Adam Tidby who has returned to his Dorset roots for a further spell with Dorchester after a period in Hampshire.

Other notables back in the fold who have answered Stapleton’s call are Greenhill foursome Steve Gait, Dave Smith, Neil Burroughs and John Crabb as well as Mike Preston (Lyme Regis), Ken Hann (Blandford) and Dorchester duo Eddy Young and Steven Huttley.

The comeback of that prestigious Gang of 10 is a massive boost for the county and a ringing endorsement for Stapleton’s management skills even before a wood has been delivered.

Five of them – Gait, Preston, Tidby, Dickinson and Crabb – are former Dorset singles champions while Smith is the current holder and Smith and Burroughs are past national pairs finalists.

After Dorset’s remarkable indoor season under Gait’s leadership as player-manager the county are getting a taste for success – and Stapleton is determined to deliver.

Despite the best efforts of former boss Brian Shepherd, Dorset failed to win a Middleton Cup match in the past three seasons, so the only way is up. Stapleton will take a first look on the green at his prospective squad in assessment sessions at Greenhill on Sunday, May 10 and May 17.

To ensure every nominated bowler throughout the county gets a fair crack of the whip he will have 68 in action over those two trial days before reducing the number to 32 and then naming a final squad of 24 plus four reserves for the opening match away to Warwickshire on Saturday, May 30.