The 2026 Summit Garage Staffordshire Premier Bowls League Premier Division starts tonight with the Greville Arms red hot favourites to retain the title they won comprehensively last season. Please find below what the captains have had to say about who they have lost or gained and their aims and thoughts on the season.
Club: Greville Arms
Captain: Russ Prosser
Players In: Pete Dunkley (playing Mondays this year for us), Tom Palmer & Andy Hughes
Players Out: None
Aims & Thoughts: After winning last year’s Summit title by an impressive 40 points and strengthening our squad with Pete, Tom and Andy we’re hopeful the Greville can be right up there again. We know it won’t be easy but with the strength in depth we now have we will certainly give it a good go!
Club: Moseley CC
Captain: Grant Soller
Players In: None
Players Out: Bill Kinchin out for most of the season
Aims & Thoughts: Going to be tricky to match or better last year’s performance. With Billy missing for most of the season staying up will be our first target.
Club: Tanworth in Arden
Captain: Stuart Bishop
Players In: Rob Foster
Players Out: Matt Higgins
Aims & Thoughts: The lads are looking forward to playing again in the top division.
Club: The George
Captain: Elliot McGuinness
Players In: Ivan Smout & Reece Farr
Players Out: None
Aims & Thoughts: Hoping to be looking towards the top of the league rather than the trap door after a mass exodus of players last season. The Greville look to be the best team on paper comfortably but 2nd and 3rd place will be up for grabs and would be our aim for this year.
Club: Triplex
Captain: Liam Lowery
Players In: Liam Lowery & Jason Galvin
Players Out: None
Aims & Thoughts: Hopefully looking to build on last season and improve on last season’s finish of 8th position.
Club: West Brom FSC
Captain: Matt Hocknull
Aims & Thoughts: With a settled team we are looking to be more consistent this season after finishing last year strongly. We are looking forward to being more competitive again this year.
Club: Willenhall Nordley
Captain: Mark Jones
Players In: Joe Dicken
Players Out: Dan Bodley (having a year out)
Aims & Thoughts: We will try to improve on the season we had last year. I think getting our best team out more often is something that can help us to improve our league position. I think Greville will obviously be the team to beat again this year, they were unstoppable last year.
