NORTH: Runcorn Announce Capture Of Willis

Runcorn FC Halton can today announce the capture of midfielder Scott Willis from Conference side Halifax Town. 23-year old Willis, who has signed for the Linnets until the end of the season, has had spells at a host of football league clubs in his short career, and he hopes that a good run at Runcorn can be his springboard back into the Football League.

Willis began his career as a trainee at Wigan Athletic before moving to football league clubs Mansfield Town, Doncaster Rovers, and Carlisle United. After his release from Carlisle, he joined Unibond side Bamber Bridge before moving to fellow Unibond outfit Droylsden.

League Two side Lincoln City then snapped him up in August 2002 and his form helped them to the play-off final in the 2002/03 season. Whilst at Lincoln, Willis attracted the interest of Millwall who were rumoured to be considering signing the player for a fee of around £250,000.

After falling out of favour at Lincoln, he has had loan spells at League One side Stockport County and Conference side Hereford United before moving to Halifax Town at the start of this season.

New Runcorn boss Steve Soley said: "I know Scott from my days at Carlisle United and I was delighted when he said that he would sign for us. Scott is without a doubt a football league player, and I hope that he takes this opportunity to show league clubs what they are missing out on and that he can secure a move back into the professional game."