Philadelphia have been boosted this summer by the Geoff Cook factor.

The former Durham head coach has proved an inspirational appointment as performance director, with all aspects of the Readers Durham Cricket League club benefitting from his nous and expertise.

They welcome Horden today, showing one change with second team opener Michael Hall in for the unavailable Gary Braithwaite. Mattie Noble will take over behind the stumps.

Phili chairman Malcolm Pratt said: “Since Geoff was appointed as performance director in March, four senior players have joined the club and only recently four juniors knocked on our door and said they wanted to sign for next season. They all said it was because Geoff was our coach and thought they could learn a lot from him.

“Geoff has already arranged a coaching programme for the winter - the youngsters love his coaching methods and parents are also complimentary. Without doubt, he has been a big signing and we look forward to him driving the club forward on and off the field, for the foreseeable future.”

Although the senior side was unsuccessful, the club did win three competitions. The seconds clinched the championship, the development side, made up mostly of young players, clinched promotion to the First Division of the Hetton Lyons Sunday League and the under-11s won the Bowl Cup.’’

Horden are unchanged and kipper Carl Watson said: “We never expected to end up where we are, and we are hoping to be back at the other end of the table next season. It’s been a disappointing season. From what I’ve been told, the club are planning on making some big changes for next year.”

Tudhoe welcome champions Castle Eden, and visiting Chairman John Spellman said: “We are unchanged and it was a great performance last week. We’re going out on a high and don’t want to not perform in the last league game of the season.”

Durham City entertain Esh Winning and the visitors are hoping for another strong performance to back up a good win at Easington last week, they are missing Simon Moralee but Eddy Watson returns.

Shotley Bridge welcome Tynedale and a win will see them crowned Go North-East Northumberland and Tyneside Senior League champions.

Secretary David Milburn said: “It has come down to an exciting finish between ourselves and Swalwell. It will be a really difficult game against Tynedale, as Swalwell have found out. We’ll need to be on top of our game.

“Hopefully the weather will be fine and we all get to play, because that will prove who should be at the top. We don’t want to win or lose by default. It’s been a season where we started very strongly, lost a few games that we felt we should have won, but hung on and kept on battling.

“We have a youngish side and they have all pulled together. We haven’t had a superstar as such, everybody has done their part. I’d like to give a special mention to Phil Brown, who is in his twilight and has shown the younger ones a thing or two; and Mickey Allen. We have all done well enough to get right to the top and now we just want to maintain for that final push.”

Visiting skipper Tom Cant said: “We can finish third, fourth or fifth, but they’re going for the ultimate prize, so the pressure is on them. We are delighted with how the season has gone. We lost six players at the start of the year, and our aim was just to stay up but have easily surpassed that.

Lanchester host Leadgate the home side can finish third, their highest since 2010.

Third-placed Dukes ECB North-East Regional Premier League side Chester-le-Street, entertain relegated South Shields and the visitors have been deducted 30 points for disciplinary reasons.

Durham Cricket Academy finish against Benwell Hill and director of cricket John Windows said: “We have the same team as last week, but looking for an improved performance. A good season all round is more or less complete and it is the whole team performances that have caught the eye, in achieving what the team has done. The batting department did very well mid-season, in chasing down some big totals.”

Eppleton welcome Whitburn, with Jandre Erasmus has returned to South Africa, signed by T20 franchise team Titans.

Whitburn have Brydon Carse and Luke Smith back, replacing brothers Lee and Craig Henderson.

Hetton Lyons entertain Stockton and skipper Jarvis Clay said: “We will be unchanged and hope the season has a good ending. The team is far more capable than results show and next season’s aim, is to play with much greater consistency and application.”

First division champions Sacriston welcome relegated Mainsforth. Director of Cricket, Iain Bestford said: “There will be no giving up on commitments, despite being crowned champions last week. Melvyn Betts is back in for Jack Keel, while Johnny Bushnell returns after his Durham commitments and replaces Daniel Stephenson.”

Burnopfield will be pushing for runners-up spot and host Willington and skipper Gareth Breese makes one change, Dave Baxter in for George Henderson.

Breese said: “After promotion last year, it has been a season of advance and what has been very pleasing to see, is the local players getting their chance and proving how capable they are, when called upon. This augers well for future seasons.”