He played for both Ribblesdale League clubs in the late 1970s and early 1980s and is current Clitheroe professional Jonathan Fielding's dad.
But it is the cold facts he has established from watching both sides this season that see him tip Clitheroe to oust Cherry Tree from top spot tomorrow evening.
``I think Clitheroe are the better, deeper batting side,'' said Fielding, who will be an interested spectator at Chatburn Road.
``The Cherry Tree pro, Naeem, can get really big scores and he can bowl sides out.
``So can Jonathan, but on his day Naeem can beat anybody. He's one of the best professionals I've seen in the Ribblesdale League.
``But I just think that Clitheroe's batting will see them through.''
Fielding spent two seasons at Clitheroe from 1979 to 1980 before moving to Preston Old Road where he completed three seasons until 1983.
Twice he took nine wickets for 20-odd while at Chatburn Road while a Ramsbottom Cup final appearance represented the highlight of his Cherry Tree days. He believes that both those sides were then weaker than today's counterparts but bemoans the overall sliding standard among amateurs in the league. Both Clitheroe and Cherry Tree are stronger now then when I was there,'' he declared.
``Clitheroe's batting was pretty awful as I recall.
``If a team got 100 against us we had a job getting the runs!
``And Cherry Tree seem to have better players now.
``But overall, from what I've seen, there are some very poor sides in the league. The amateur strength is just generally not as good.
``This season is a good example where just two teams are dominating the entire league. One of them, Clitheroe or Cherry Tree, will definitely win.''
And Fielding is ready to put his betting hand where his mouth is.
``It's fair to say I'll have a sidebet or two on tomorrow's outcome,'' he confirmed. ``There will definitely be a few pints at stake!''
For Brian's son, Jonathan, the stakes are similarly high.
``If Cherry Tree win, they can create a decent gap,'' he said.
``But I don't think it's the end of the world for either team if they lose.
``We've played them once and beaten them at their place and we're unbeaten at home in the league.
``So we're confident going into the game.
``And I'm happy that my dad's on my side!''
Fixtures: Barnoldswick v Read, Clitheroe v Cherry Tree, Great Harwood v Whalley, Osw Immanuel v Baxenden, Padiham v Blackburn N, Ribblesdale W v Earby, Settle v Edenfield.