Closely following on the recent confirmation of Paul Smith as chief coach of the BiG Storage Cheshire Jets for season 2008-09 comes the news of the first signing   for the new squad, and it is a name that will mean a great deal to all followers of basketball around Chester. Calvin Davis has been persuaded to re-join the Jets after a single season with the Everton Tigers, their closest rivals from across the Mersey, even though the Liverpool based team are said to have made Calvin a substantially improved contract offer.

Calvin is a 6’8” Texan-born forward, renowned for his rebounding ability at both ends of the court

His previous time with the Jets coincided with both his and the club’s most successful performances.   He made his BBL debut at the start of the 2001-02 season, and was a driving force in the team that achieved the “Jetwash” [a clean sweep of all competitions that the BBL organise]. He also featured in the BBL championship winning side of 2004-05 that also became runners up in the play-offs as well as being a permanent fixture in the BBL all-star team: no wonder Paul Smith is delighted to clinch his signature!

“Calvin was the first player I signed in both my previous full seasons of coaching The Jets, both of which ended in success”, enthused Smith, “he is one of a very small number of forwards in the BBL who is capable of producing performances of the highest calibre on a consistent basis. In addition, he is a model professional on and off the court and for these reasons, I have already decided to make him team captain, as I know he will lead the squad effectively.”

BiG Storage Cheshire Jets director Pete Hawkins was equally enthusiastic, “Calvin is a real Jets favourite, and this announcement will send an unequivocal message to our fans and the rest of the league that we intend to be competitive at the highest level this season. But it is not only on court that he is going to be invaluable -   he is a true role model for the young people of Cheshire and will play a large part in our community programme next season which will reach over 10,000 young people in Cheshire, North Wales and The Wirral.”

Andrew Donaldson, owner of BiG Storage, the club’s principal sponsor added his endorsement: “Congratulations to Paul Smith on securing such a significant signing so early in the summer. The fact that he has been successful in prising him away from Everton should add some extra spice to next season’s local derbies. As principal sponsor I look forward to helping The Jets team deliver as much success on the court as they did off the court last season.

The club is in an advanced stage in other contract negotiations and hope to be in a position to make further announcements around other significant signings over the next few weeks.