Montgomery gets second chance

Gary Montgomery, seen here playing for Rotherham in 2005, has signed a contract to play for Lancashire next season

Lancashire have added Gary Montgomery, a former professional footballer, and Luke Procter to their playing staff for the 2010 season.

Montgomery spent 10 years as a goalkeeper for Coventry, Crewe, Kidderminster and Rotherham before being released by Grimsby earlier this year.

He enjoyed a successful extended trial with the Lancashire second XI during which he took 26 wickets in eight games, including impressive match figures of 10-92 against Nottinghamshire.

Now 26, he has signed a one-year deal along with Procter, a promising batsman who has taken the more conventional route through the Lancashire Academy.

Procter, 21, was offered a scholarship contract for the 2009 season and played an integral role in the success of Lancashire’s second XI this summer.

Procter made his first-team debut for the county in the final NatWest Pro40 Division Two match against Warwickshire at Old Trafford. Opening the batting, he scored two from 15 balls and also broke his thumb.