The recession may still have an icy grip in many places but Keith Moss MBE is looking forward to the new JCT600 Bradford League season with optimism.

Moss still has well publicised reservations about Twenty20 cricket impinging on the longer version of the game – he can see both sides of the argument, however.

The Bradford League president is also disappointed that no clubs have yet come forward to join “the best league in England” but his general mood is sunny.

And the former Yorkshire chairman has not forgotten the warm glow of Baildon’s surprise championship triumph in 2009.

Moss said: “Baildon played as a team and were very worthy winners – and what a dramatic climax for the season to go to the last day. Everyone at Jenny Lane seemed happy. It was a magical day.

“Pudsey Congs and Woodlands have had great runs in the recent past. I have noticed the signings that clubs have made on our website but as for this season, I could not call it at all.”

Apart from being regarded as the top league in the country, Moss also reckons the JCT600 Bradford League is a pathfinder in other fields.

“I attended the League Cricket Conference meeting at Middleton with our chairman (Graham Reid), and someone from the England and Wales Cricket Board was present, and I believe that we are way ahead in our use of computerised scoring and in the quality of our website,” he said.

“If you have a Blackberry, you can access updated scores during a Saturday afternoon and I don’t think any other league does that.

“On my rounds of the grounds, I can keep track on how my club Pudsey St Lawrence are doing and decide if there are any other games that I need to go to.

“Other leagues are now following our example, such as the Yorkshire League, the Central Yorkshire League and the Dales Council League. Our website is excellent too. It keeps you abreast of things.”

Another area where the league has improved is in its growth of umpire numbers.

A few years ago there was no chance of every match being staffed by two umpires but Moss said: “Glyn Pearson said the other week that every match in 2010, both first team and second team, will be fully staffed.

“It’s great that players like Andy Wilsdon are taking up umpiring and giving something back to the game.

“Also, the work that has gone on in improving our grounds has been superb and Rodney Heyhoe has done a marvellous job there.

“But there is always the nagging worry that too much is being left to too few people to carry the burden at clubs.

“I hope there is someone to take over at Bowling Old Lane, for example, when Michael Hope, Geoff Hanson and Brian Clough finish.”

However, all things considered, Moss cannot wait for the sound of leather on willow when the league starts on Saturday, April 17.